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Strategies to Fight Cyber Threats (10 Strategies)

Aug 11, 2022

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The digital age is filled with unique processes and functions which enhance our lives and work. However, these technologies can also be a source of danger as well, and there is no way for a business or IT company is secure from the threats.

Cybercriminals use ever advanced techniques to conduct devastating attacks. This is why many organizations feel helpless in protecting their information and valuable assets from attacks.

In this post, we'll talk about what a cyber threat looks like. In addition, we'll provide the 10 ways to defend yourself against them.

What are Cyber Threats

Cyber threats are malicious attacks designed to steal data, disrupt operations, or cause damage to digital assets. Attackers target individuals and companies with the goal of making profits.

The threats are in different forms. They include malware, viruses, data breaches, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and phishing attacks, ransomwareand Man-in-the Middle (MitM) attacks and many more.

How can you protect yourself from Cybersecurity Risks?

Cyber threats are serious business they can cause significant harm that affect many areas of our lives. For example, the recent ransomware attack on energy and food supply chains led to price rises and shortages.

Potential for serious damage can be a reality when attack targets phones, networks as well as healthcare facilities, water treatment plants electric grids, public operation.

Cyber threats are even a matter of national security and is a major concern for our current administration.

A little less however, the risk for individuals is equally severe. Any data breach leaking private information could result in the theft of identities, financial fraud, and financial ruin. This threat is growing in intensity and growing in the number of victims.

Where Do Cyber Attacks originate from?

Attackers aren't just a single breed of animal we need to be concerned about. Unfortunately, these threats come from diverse types of people as well as groups that have different goals.

However, a lot of more destructive cyberattacks are funded by hostile countries. Though not as widespread, terrorist groups could also be involved in cyber-terrorism.

Organized crime often uses cyber-attacks to gather information, hold companies hostage for ransom, and acquire data to aid in fraud and identity theft. Law enforcement has linked many fraudulent credit card transactions to organized crime.

Hackers, hacktivists, and unhappy insiders are as well responsible for a variety of digital attack. In some cases, hackers may contact an employee and hire or blackmail them into becoming accomplices.

This all sounds pretty sophisticated, but anyone - - even businesses of all sizes - could be a victim of the attacks.

Types of Cyber Threats

There's a wide variety of cyber-attack types. But for many attacks, the most fundamental concept is social engineering.

Social engineering occurs when hackers manipulate people into not following security standards and best practices so the hackers are able to gain access to systems and data.

The following are the most common kinds of threats, a lot of which involve social engineering.

Malware

Malware is an infected program designed to:

  • Monitor the user
  • Steal credentials
  • Alter, copy, or remove files
  • Change permissions
  • Interrupting network operations
  • Cause other kinds of damage

There are numerous malware kinds and variants, many of them available via the dark web, either available for purchase or trade.

DDoS Attacks

Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) is a way to overrun a network or system. This disruption of the flow of data provides a chance in which cybercriminals be able to access the data of others or install malware.

Phishing

If a user browses the site or clicks the link, malware is immediately downloaded. In some cases, personal information that is entered into hacked forms is collected and utilized.

Ransomware

Ransomware attacks involve the the encryption of an organization's or individual's files. Hackers then hold the data locked hostage on demands for ransom payments. Many companies choose not to pay.

Others do pay, but they find that the promise of decrypter keys is empty, and the key doesn't work to restore the data.

Zero-Day Exploits

Most new software and devices contain flaws that are built-in. By exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, hackers take advantage of these weaknesses before corporations have the time to patch the vulnerabilities.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks usually affect wireless networks that are not secured in public locations like coffee shops as well as airports and hotels.

The attacker monitors the internet for connections and using specialized software, he can take keystrokes, gain passwords and gain complete control of the device of its users.

Password Attacks

Credential Stuffing is when threat actors steal passwords of an account, and then attempt to transfer them to another account.

Data breaches

Data breaches of dozens have revealed million of Americans' personal data through the dark web. These breaches have led to the theft of personal information and fraud.

IoT Device Threats

Because IoT devices are fairly new technologies, many of them have not been properly secured. Because of this, IoT devices can be a gateway way for hackers for accessing networks at home or in a business.

10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Cyber Threats

Although the threats are actual and imminent but you are able to take precautions to protect yourself and your business. Following are 10 of the top things you can take to guard against cyberattacks.

Secure your data is a top priority

If you run an online company the best option is to buy the superior monitoring service that will monitor the situation and address any problems which arise prior to them becoming catastrophic events.

Update with security patches

Be sure to keep the hardware, software, and software updated to the most recent security patches.

This is one of the primary reasons to renew your software licenses annually. In the majority of software and plug-ins licensing renewals cover important things like security patch creation and deployment.

Training your team

Make sure your staff understands the ways phishing attacks and social engineering works. Then make sure they know what to do in the event your business is targeted.

Consider holding a company-wide workshop or buying an online course for your team. For example, Coursera offers an excellent cost-effective cyber threat intelligence course.

Although the vast majority of emails and SMS links are legitimate but it's very difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake link.

Therefore, you should make it a habit to not click on any link or download attachment from messages via SMS or email. Instead, visit this URL directly. Simply type in the URL into your web browser, and you'll know if the link is honest.

Check out your sender

Make sure you verify the sender of the emails you receive prior to taking any decision. It is possible to do this through:

  1. Checking the from email for misspellings
  2. Checking if the address and the display name are they same (they must be)

Also, you can check the DMARC records of the sender. Fraudmarc has a DMARC Record Checker tool which is free to use.

Update your devices

Consider installing plugins, extensions, and apps to keep your devices updated with the latest antivirus/anti-malware software.

There's an array of programs available Many of them can be downloaded for free. Take a look at PCmag's 2022 listing of the best free antivirus software here.

Be serious about the passwords you choose to use

 And never, ever reuse passwords.

Backup your data

In the event of the threat of ransomware, make sure you've made a good backup of your entire data. And store your backups offline. Below are some WordPress backup plugins that we would recommend:

Avoid unsecured networks

It is recommended that you use a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting with public networks. VPNs VPN sets up an encrypted, private connectivity between your computer and network.

It's best to avoid unsecured public networks all over the world.

Encrypt your data

All of your information in your system and on your devices. Data encryption helps protect confidential and personal data. Also, it makes connection between your client application and servers much more secure.

When your data is encrypted regardless of whether unauthorized individuals or other entities gain access upon your data and try to read it, they won't be able to decipher it.

Conclusion

A lot of our personal data is available on the internet, and always there are cybersecurity risks that we need to be aware of.

Make cybersecurity one of your top priorities for protecting your online business and your entire online world.