Why Cyber Security Shouldn’t Be Ignored

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Cybersecurity shouldn’t be ignored or taken lightly because it incorporates everything that concerns protecting sensitive data both online and offline. It helps to keep data safe from unauthorized access, theft, damage, or leakage. Cyber-attacks have been increasing in recent years as cybercriminals seem to constantly come up with new ways to infiltrate and access data for their malicious use.

As the world moves more and more of its operations to cloud-based services for data storage, collaboration, and sharing, it becomes prone to attacks if proper security measures aren’t undertaken. Such things as ignorance of cyber threats, poor data configuration, and security of cloud services, and extremely smart cybercriminals are the main reasons for the increased attacks. No one has been spared, including individuals, businesses, and even big corporations.

Below are some of the common cyber-attacks and what they do.

Malware attacks: These come in various forms of harmful software and can be categorized into ransomware, viruses, spyware, and worms. They mostly come through unsolicited software offers, especially antiviruses and also as attachments on emails. When a user opens these links, it installs the harmful software that can cause the following: –

• Block your access to the main components of the network
• Disruption of your systems’ normal working.
• Secretly obtains information through the transmission of data from your hard drive. You can continue reading this to learn more about information security.

Phishing attacks: The attackers send you seemingly harmless or genuine communication on email or text messages and dupe you into providing personal information such as login details, Personal Identification Number (PIN), or credit card details and passwords. Phishing is quite prevalent.

Man in the Middle attacks: These are attacks where hackers interfere and come in between two parties’ transactions. They’ll interrupt the traffic and steal data. The attacks are carried out mainly through unsecured public Wi-Fis. Parties will be passing their information through the hackers unknowingly. If the hacker breaches your device, they’ll install malicious software that intercepts and steals your information.

Structured Query Language (SQL) injection attacks: Attackers can inject a malicious code into servers that use SQL and force it to show information that it usually doesn’t. This can cause massive data breaches if the server stores sensitive data such as usernames and passwords.

How To Enhance Your Cyber Security

The statistics on cyber attacks already experienced in 2021 emphasizes why you should not ignore cybersecurity. Fortunately, there are some measures you can undertake and practice for enhanced protection.

Good password practices: Nowadays, every time you want are signing up on a platform, a browser will most likely ask to suggest a stronger password for you. That’s with good reason. Many people still use the word password and numerals 123456 as their default password. There’s nothing as dangerous as a predictable password to data security. Create strong passwords that don’t include your name, birthdays, or any standard information that is easy to guess.

Install Antivirus software: ensure to use of reputable antivirus software providers to enhance protection against malware attacks. A good antivirus should detect and block such attacks before they embed into your system. Ensure the antivirus is running and up to date.

Secure your Wi-Fi: Protecting your Wi-fi is another way of ensuring your passwords are secure. Always use Wi-Fi Protected Access Version 2 (WPA2) to secure it. Hackers can access your stored passwords if they have access to your Wi-Fi.

Patch management: This is an automatic process that detects and fixes loopholes in the software and operating systems to fix bugs and act as a remedy for system vulnerabilities that a hacker can use.

Use encryption and firewall: A firewall helps to regulate inbound and outbound network traffic. It can even block suspicious websites. Always use encryption software to protect your data so that it be rendered useless should it fall into the wrong hands.

Avoid opening suspicious emails: If you don’t recognize an email, don’t open or respond to it. You may receive emails about your shipment stuck at the port from seemingly reputable shipping companies. But since you know you’ve made no such order, delete it. Know this is an attacker’s attempt to steal your data.

Access control: Only let data access be through authorization. This way, you can keep track of who accesses what level and why by using monitoring tools. Limiting the number of people who have access to sensitive information or gadgets is key to ensuring there’re no leaks from human error or mishaps, whether intentional or unintentional.

Stay Woke

You don’t want to be caught unaware by a cyber-attack. Mostly the damage and loss of data are irreparable. Not forgetting a dented reputation and sometimes massive financial losses. Also, regaining control after an attack can take time, causing you to lose clients and business. All the more reason you can’t afford to ignore cybersecurity.

Besides, these cyber threats evolve with technology and ignoring the issue only puts you closer to an attack. Start with what you can implement now and work towards fully enhanced security for your business. You can never be too careful.