Why API cyber attacks are one of the biggest threats this year
28 February 2023General Cyber Security – Cybersecurity basics
6 March 2023To operate at the level to which we have all grown used, today’s workplaces rely nearly entirely on technology. As a result, over the past year or so, cybercrime has considerably increased. Cybersecurity needs to be your top company priority because technology now dominates the world. Given that the majority of people have access to internet-connected devices and that most people own many of them, everyone should have at least a basic grasp of cyber security and their obligation to secure their internet-connected devices from cybercrime. There is an argument to be made that your concerns about the security of your cyber landscape should take precedence over your fears about the physical security of your organisation, even if many business owners are ignorant of how important cyber security is. Would you leave the front door open all day in order to allow the weather inside? No! Then why do you still use the same technical environment?
Criminals using the internet are clever. In order to launch an attack, they are taking advantage of the rise in web-connected devices in the hands of those who, quite plainly, lack the expertise required to use them responsibly. They are drawn to cybercrime because of the alleged anonymity it offers since they believe it to be superior than physically entering a store and robbing someone.
The remainder of the essay will highlight the many techniques cybercriminals use to target your business.
Different Types of Attacks
Ransomware
The ransomware attack locks and encrypts your files. The cybercriminals will then demand a ransom in return for the assurance that they will grant you access again, following which they will vanish. Cybercriminals use urgency to get you to pay the ransom; they give you payment deadlines and threaten to delete the files if you don’t send the money in the allotted time. Unsurprisingly, this leads to business owners paying the ransom quite frequently. Some people think it’s fair to pay a ransom because your data is virtually valuable, but do you really think you can trust a criminal to give you access again? Of course you can’t! Paying would be a terrible option since it would show cyber thieves that you have the funds available and are prepared to do so.
Phishing
Phishing attacks also employ deception. A cybercriminal will adopt the identity of another individual, typically one who is in a position of authority from a reputable source, such a bank or even even management. With phoney or fraudulent emails, they use this tactic to get private information. The malicious links that serve as the catalyst for the cybercriminal’s attack are distributed through phishing emails; unfortunately, the use of a false identity and the time restraints imposed force the user to make a decision on the spur of the moment rather than carefully weighing all of their options as is best practise. By clicking on the malicious link, the consumer will unintentionally provide access—or potentially even control—to the hackers when they believe the ploy could be disastrous.
Smishing
Smishing and a Phishing scam only differ in that the former employs SMS texting and the latter email. Both are easy to understand.
Malware
Malware is made with the intention of causing harm, mayhem, and ultimately data theft. When the purpose is to make money, either by directly spreading the malware or by selling the software to other cybercriminals on the Dark Web, malware assaults are typically carried out by a group of cybercriminals rather than a single person, in contrast to other cyberattacks.
The few cyberattacks we looked at are probably the most common and the ones you and your team will likely be defending against every day. There are many different types of cyberattacks. Despite this, if a cyberattack is serious enough, any attack—not just the most common ones—could completely shut down your business. You must come up with a plan of attack and stop them in their tracks as soon as possible, therefore it is imperative that your systems and, more importantly, your team, are equipped with the tools and information necessary to beat them.
We’ll now go over some cyber security fundamentals so you can relax knowing your business can continue operating normally even if a cyberattack is launched or, in the worst case scenario, is successful.
Using modern technology to ensure success
Your company depends on technology, and we want you to understand the advantages it may have when combined with the most cutting-edge tools on the market. Because we value simplicity and openness, CloudHosts provides the IT support you need when you need it. This support includes a guarantee that your technology will keep you secure from a variety of online threats, improve the efficiency of how you conduct your business, and be updated to the most recent version at all times. We will support you and point you in the direction of a secure, successful future in which technology will be your ally. To find out how we can help you, call us right away.