In this article, we discussed the meaning of cyberattacks, types, we also talked about how to prevent cyber-attacks.
A cyberattack is any intentional effort to steal, expose, alter, disable, or destroy data, applications, or other assets through unauthorized access to a network, computer system or digital device.
A cyber-attack is a deliberate exploitation of your systems and/or network. Cyber-attacks use malicious code to compromise your computer, logic or data and steal, leak or hold your data hostage. Cyber-attack prevention is essential for every business and organizations.
The common Types of Cyberattacks
There are many types of cyberattacks, including:
Malware
Malicious software like viruses, spyware, ransomware, and worms that can access a system’s data. Malware is often delivered through email or clickable links.
Phishing
Uses communication methods like email to trick users into opening a message and following instructions.
Spoofing
Cyber attackers impersonate people or companies to trick users into giving up personal information.
Backdoor Trojan
Malicious programs that can install malware or data and open a “backdoor” to a computer system.
Ransomware
Malicious software that can block access to a device until a ransom is paid.
Password attacks
Involves recovering passwords through various techniques, such as guessing the password or keylogging.
SQL injection
Involves inserting malicious code into a web application to extract sensitive information from the database.
Social engineering
Involves impersonating a trusted person or entity to trick users into granting sensitive information, transferring funds, or providing access to systems or networks.
XSS attacks
Involves injecting malicious scripts into websites that users trust to steal sensitive data.
Insider threats
Involves internal actors, such as current or former employees, who have access to the company network, sensitive data, and IP.
Ways to Prevent Cyberattack
Train your staff.
One of the most common ways cyber criminals get access to your data is through your employees. They’ll send fraudulent emails impersonating someone in your organization’s and will either ask for personal details or for access to certain files. Links often seem legitimate to an untrained eye and it’s easy to fall into the trap. This is why employee awareness is vital.
One of the most efficient ways to protect against cyber-attacks and all types of data breaches is to train your employees on cyber-attack prevention and inform them of current cyber-attacks.
Keep your software and systems fully up to date.
Often cyber-attacks happen because your systems or software aren’t fully up to date, leaving weaknesses. So, cybercriminals activity these weaknesses to gain access to your network. Once they are in – it’s often too late to take preventative action.
To counteract this, it’s smart to invest in a patch management system that will manage all software and system updates, keeping your system resilient and up to date.
Ensure Endpoint Protection.
Endpoint protection protects networks that are remotely bridged to devices. Mobile devices, tablets and laptops that are connected to corporate networks give access paths to security threats. These paths need protected with specific endpoint protection software.
Install a Firewall.
There are so many different types of sophisticated data breaches and new ones surface every day and even make comebacks.
Putting your network behind a firewall is one of the most effective ways to defend yourself from any cyber-attack. A firewall system will block any basic force attacks made on your network and/or systems before it can do any damage, something we can help you with.
Backup your data.
In the event of a disaster (often a cyber-attack) you must have your data backed up to avoid serious downtime, loss of data and serious financial loss.
Control access to your systems.
Believe it or not, one of the attacks that you can receive on your systems can be physical, having control over who can access your network is really really important. Somebody can simply walk into your office or enterprise and plug in a USB key containing infected files into one of your computers allowing them access to your entire network or infect it.
WIFI Security.
Securing your Wi-Fi networks and hiding them is one of the safest things you can do for your systems. With wireless technology developing more and more everyday there’s thousands of devices that can connect to your network and compromise you.
Access Management.
One of the risks as a business owner and having employees, is them installing software on business owned devices that could compromise your systems.
Having managed admin rights and blocking your staff installing or even accessing certain data on your network is beneficial to your security. It’s your business.
Passwords.
Having the same password setup for everything can be dangerous. Once a hacker figures out your password, they now have access to everything in your system and any application you use.
Having different passwords setup for every application you use is a real benefit to your security, and changing them often will maintain a high level of protection against external and internal threats.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to know where to begin when it comes to protecting your business from cyber crime and cyber-attack. There’s so much information out there that it can become overwhelming, especially when the info is conflicting.
You need a solution that’s right for your business and your employees. Get in touch with us today for a no obligation cyber security assessment. We can help kickstart your journey to becoming secure.