Every business converges with digitalization to succeed and prosper in this era, but there are always two sides to a story. According to a recent survey, 9.9 billion cyber-attacks were carried out worldwide in a year which is a threatening count. We need to be aware of these attacks and ensure that our businesses don't fall into this. We could surely minimize it by learning about it and taking some safety measures.
Any intruder that attempts to gain unauthorized access to your asset to either destroy, alter, steal or use it is a cyber-attack. Usually, the attacker seeks some benefit from disrupting the victim's network. These networks consist of important information that the cyber attack can destroy. Hence it has become the need of an hour to save ourselves from such attacks.
Here we have listed some common threats that a business could face and ways to prevent and defend them.
1. Malware
It's a term used for all the cyber-attacks, including Trojan, viruses and bombs. It generally enters a system by clicking some link, emails or installing malicious software. It is a type of code that runs to destroy or sometimes steal the data and makes the system inoperable and harm the organization.
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The best way to combat malware is to try to prevent it from being installed in the first place and vigilant when downloading new software. It's better to invest in Antivirus and Anti-malware software as well as firewalls. Other than that, keeping a backup of the data constant helps to remain on the safer side. Make sure not to click on the absurd pop-ups on your window, especially those selling malware-fighting software. Sometimes, all the efforts fail, and that is when you need to determine the system by noting unusual behaviour.
2. Ransomware
It is getting popular day by day, which is a type of software. Once it is installed on the computer, it can have control over your system, and the attacker encrypts the data or restricts it until you pay them an amount in exchange for your data. One typical example is the Ded cryptor which demands two bitcoin for your data. It is a type of cyber blackmail which is dangerous for your organization. Two forms of ransomware are currently the most widely used worldwide, namely locker and crypto. Locker ransomware blocks you to the basic function forcing you to pay an amount to regain control. On the other hand, in crypto-ransomware, attacker threatens you to destroy your important files and documents.
You're not helpless against it as you can always have a strategy against it. Avoid visiting suspicious websites as well as emails which contain ransomware. Keep yourself aware of the scareware techniques by cybercriminals. Be sure to use updated internet software with anti-ransomware technology. Finally, if this happens to you, never pay a ransom to increase cyber criminals' strength behind the scams.
2. Phishing
These are the attacks where criminals craft email to fool users into taking some harmful actions. These emails have gotten much more sophisticated in recent years and making it difficult for some target users. They generally mimic a credit card company or a business contact which looks authentic.
These cyber-attacks can be prevented by closely monitoring the emails, such as not belonging to a reputable source and checking the email address. Secondly, you can hover over the redirect links and check legitimacy.
4. Denial of Service Attacks
It is a brute force attack that stops some online network service. The disrupter sends voluminous data of traffic until the network is overloaded and can no longer function. The most common attack is the distributed DOS attack, where the attacker uses multiple computers to send traffic. It can have major consequences regarding the security of the organization.
The best way to prevent this is by keeping your system updated and online security monitoring by your IT teams. Monitoring your physical connection is also recommended.
5. Man in the Middle Attack
Here the attacker acts as a secret third person to intrude between a user and the web service. It can obtain all the information exchanged with the website. They are one the common cyber-attacks because it is straightforward to commit. It leads to data and identity theft, bank details exposure and much more.
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Fortunately, there are ways to prevent man in the middle attack, and VPN providers are the best way to go. These services encrypt your connection even if you are visiting insecure http websites. You should also check the security of your connection and cannot be compromised. The business organization can also invest in the virtual private network, which spoofs the entire network.
6. SQL injection
This type of attack is dangerous to an organization as it can control the victims' entire database. Here a hacker tries to write SQL commands in web form asking for login credentials, for instance. It performs the function that a query is ideally not supposed to do. If the database is not correctly programmed, then it can be hacked.
There are many ways to prevent SQL injection, which depends on the type of web application built. In these attacks, the developer sanitizes the input data where the bind parameter function is used to prevent malicious strings.
7. Cloud Jacking
Many firms and implement cloud computing as it is very convenient and easy to use. But there are threats attached to these technologies as well. The intruder tries to get into the company cloud and make specific changes to the code to manipulate data, communication between the company and other related information. It tries to expand and take control of the entire cloud. It can even result to transfer the of funds into other fraud accounts.
One of the best ways to prevent his hijack attacks is to configure DNS server details in your computer itself rather than the router. This way, a hacker cannot mess up with the router configure details as it doesn't have any computer details. It can be done on Windows, Linux, etc.
8. Social Engineering
Every business is now upgrading its reach by moving towards social platforms to advertise their products and services. These sites manipulate you to share your personal information and contacts. Cybercriminals are always looking toward this type of firm to steal money and data.
Avoid giving information on these sites so that the cybercriminal doesn't find any link to a plot against your organization. Avoid using the only email to authorize your vendor for payments and other important discussions. Instead, call the vendor and confirm the bank details stated in the email to double-check. Educate your employees and ask them to refrain from giving their accounts and links.
Not just that, there are many more ways to minimize cyber security threats. Malvertising is the criminal controlled advertisement which mostly affects businesses. It can advertise on the websites which people use daily. A tiny hidden piece of code attached to the advertisement leads you to the hacker's servers. Once you are redirected to the server, malware injection takes place, and the system is infected.
It can be stopped by using an Adblocker which is must for these attacks. Secondly, use software that works peripherally to your browser. Last and most important, use common sense and do not click on malicious adverts.
In the end…
It's not an exaggeration to state that we are in the midst of an epidemic of cybercrime. It is on the individual businesses to strengthen and defence by taking the essential precautions. Organizations should have comprehensive security methods and tools working right in place and make the staff aware by conducting awareness programs. Strict rules in the firm would save the data from being hacked. Some of the tips are very easy, and then too many fail to act upon it, including setting up strong and cryptic passwords. Follow the guidelines, and you can mitigate the risk that cyber-attacks can cause. Inform the police and other agencies to seek help incase of mishappening and look for the right support.
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