From the WannaCry ransomware attack to the Equifax security breach, 2017 has been a rough year for IT security. Things aren’t looking stellar for the foreseeable future, either — it’s estimated that cyber crime damage costs will hit $6 trillion annually by 2021, causing unfilled cybersecurity jobs to more than triple.
In 2015, IBM President and CEO Ginni Rometty had this to say about the current state of cybersecurity in the business world: “We believe that data is the phenomenon of our time. It is the world’s new natural resource. It is the new basis of competitive advantage, and it is transforming every profession and industry. If all of this is true – even inevitable – then cyber crime, by definition, is the greatest threat to every profession, every industry, every company in the world.”
Cyber security threats are everywhere, and an attack can strike at any moment. That’s why it is so important to be aware of the types of attacks that are out there right now, as well as the measures you should be taking to prevent these attacks. Here are 5 of the top cyber security threats impacting businesses today.
- The -Wares
Malware, spyware, ransomware…these are all terms for a variety of cyber security threats such as Trojans, viruses, and worms. These attacks are the result of malicious software downloaded to your machine that can do anything from steal data to lock up your system and demand a sum of money to unlock it.
These attacks are damaging and devastating — but there are steps you can take to prevent them from happening. Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading software unless you are 100% certain that it’s legit. Make sure your computer’s operating system is up-to-date, as updates include the most recent security patches to protect against threats. Finally, make sure you have an antivirus program on your device (this is especially essential for PC users).
- Phishing
Like malware, phishing is another one of the classic, tried-and-true cyber threats — and it’s also the most commonly reported type. Phishing emails are created to trick people into clicking on bad links, giving up passwords, or any other action that could harm their computers. The emails are then sent out to thousands of people hoping that at least a few will click on them.
While many of these emails will ultimately fall into your spam folder without you even seeing them, phishing scams have become more sophisticated over the years; therefore, it’s more important than ever to make sure each email address, attachment, and link is verified before you take action.
- Denial of Service
When a server is overwhelmed with connections, the target’s website or network can shut down. This is the goal of a Denial of Service attack — disrupting the service to a network. The attacker uses multiple computers to send bogus traffic to a website.
Instances of DoS attacks are rare, and usually target large corporations and organizations. The best preventative measures are updating your software regularly and routinely monitoring your data flow for any unusual activity.
- Man in the Middle
Man in the Middle attacks work by impersonating the endpoint in an online exchange to fool the target into joining an infected network. Think of it as a third party eavesdropping on your conversation with someone else. When data is sent from Point A (you) to Point B (a server or website), someone can get in the middle of the transaction. The data (like passwords, banking information, or other sensitive data) is then collected from the target.
To prevent this from happening, you should ensure you are using only encrypted wireless access points. When you visit any website where you could potentially provide sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers, make sure the website has “https://“ in front of it instead of just “http://“.
What Can You Do to Prevent Cyber Security Attacks?
When it comes to network security, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Never worry about malicious files infiltrating your system with our 24/7 monitoring by a team of technical experts that ensure you receive any and all necessary updates and regular reports to keep you updated on all things cyber security. Let Integracon take care of your company’s critical assets and information and rest easy with total peace of mind knowing all servers, work stations, and laptops are always protected.
