What Exactly is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is using technology to safeguard computer systems, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, and networks from cyberattacks. Information technology security is defending electronic systems and data from harmful intrusions. Cybersecurity allows you to trade, talk, and surf the Internet without worry of illegal access to your data.
Types of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity protects hardware, software, data, and other internet-connected systems against cyber attacks. It prohibits unauthorized access to data systems. Different sections of Cybersecurity are not entirely exclusive. We have put together five types for you to know:
Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity protects the assets, systems, and networks that are necessary for the continuity of ‘life as we know it’ from cyber threats. It secures systems at a national level, such as the financial sector, energy supply, transportation, hospitals, etc, that are essential to everyone.
Network Security
Since most cyberattacks occur via the network, network security blocks these attacks as they identify them. Network security involves data and access controls that protect your company’s network or server from attackers.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Cyber threat actors constantly search for unprotected devices that connect to the internet for their activities. IoT security ensures your internet-connected devices and their networks have adequate protection.
Cloud Security
Companies and individuals everywhere use cloud computing to store data, so cloud security is the top priority. It protects cloud-based systems and stored data against attack.
Application Security
Web applications are a common target of malicious intent. Application Security protects important information received from apps. This type of security starts at the development stage before the applications reach the end users and continue when performing regular updates.
Cybersecurity Threat Types
Numerous security dangers have been linked to Internet use since its creation. These threats range in intensity from a slight annoyance to a massive hostile attack. Scientists have identified numerous security concerns; however, we will discuss only five.
Theft of Passwords
When you log into your account and discover someone has changed your password and stolen your information. There is a reasonable risk that the third party stole or guessed your password and has subsequently used it against you. This identity theft is worse for a business, which may lose essential data. Attackers sometimes employ “brute force” tools to attempt to breach your password and sensitive information several times. As a result, two-factor authentication is advised as a robust security measure.
This strategy will necessitate using an additional device to complete the login, and employing such complicated logins prevents brute force attacks.
Attacks Using Phishing
Despite being an older assault method, phishing schemes rely on social engineering to achieve their objectives. In this strategy, an end user receives a message requesting sensitive data, such as a password. The phishing message may appear professional, employing legitimate-looking addresses and media. This alert message forces a person to click on links and inadvertently disclose critical information.
In this scenario, common sense is the best prevention. Spelling and syntactic problems are common in phishing emails. Official emails from organizations do not request personal information.
DDoS Attacks
DDoS is an assault in which hostile actors target servers and overload them with user traffic. When a server cannot handle incoming requests, the website it hosts goes down or drops to ineffective performance levels.
This assault is why servers are occasionally pulled offline for maintenance. The malicious IPs used in the attack are identified and removed during maintenance.
Malware Programs
Malware is when unwanted software or programming installs itself on a target system and causes strange behavior. This behavior includes blocking program access, destroying data, stealing information, and spreading it to other computers. The best defense against malware is to take preventative measures. Large businesses or users should have the most up-to-date anti-malware software installed. Spotting questionable links, files, software, or websites is also critical, as these are efficient methods of delivering malware.
Trojan Horse Virus
A Trojan horse attack occurs when malware tries to deliver its malicious program by masquerading as genuine software. Their popular technique is to “alert” the user and request a scan, during which the virus is delivered. You can avoid this by not downloading programs from unknown providers or those that attempt to alert the user to a significant problem.
Cyber Threat Actors
A threat actor or malicious actor is an individual or group that executes cyber attacks in the digital sphere on purpose. They target devices, systems, networks, and servers, exploiting their weaknesses and causing harm. The five most common types of Cyber threat actors are:
Cyber Scammers
Cybercriminals are behind most cyber attacks on the internet. These individuals or groups use technology to hack into digital systems to steal sensitive information and personal data. They trade the information on the dark web or use it to harm you for their financial gain.
Privileged Insiders
Insider threats are becoming more and more rampant in organizations. They are of two types: malicious insiders and incautious insiders. Malicious insiders have access to company networks and resources they use for their profit and the company’s detriment. Incautious insiders are careless individuals that make it possible for threat actors to gain access.
Nation-state Actors
These hackers receive funding and support from nation-states to perform cyber attacks on other government entities, such as cyberwarfare, infrastructure sabotage, espionage, media manipulation, etc. They are usually well-outfitted and so are harder to detect.
Hacktivists Groups
Hacktivists are hackers that focus on creating awareness or exposing the truth about organizations that appear shady. Government, big corporations, and wealthy individuals are their primary targets, and they attack them by leaking information to the public that can harm their target.
Terrorist Movements
They perform a digital form of terrorism called cyberterrorism, where they cause damage in order to further their agendas. They target the credibility of critical infrastructure, citizens, state machinery, and agencies.
Cybersecurity Dynamics
The worldwide cyber threat is evolving rapidly, with increasing data breaches occurring every year. As the scope of the cyber threat grows, so does spending on cybersecurity solutions. Governments worldwide have issued recommendations to help firms develop strong policies to strengthen cyber-security.
Organizations must protect themselves against hackers’ present and future tools and strategies as the cyber threat landscape evolves.
The cybersecurity threat is growing, representing a new cycle of cyber risks. We have seen five generations of cyber dangers and methods to combat them to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
