What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the implementation and practice of keeping computer systems, networks, and other online infrastructure protected from digital attacks and intrusions. As such, it is one of the most critical and paramount practices needing to be considered by individuals and businesses today, and its importance will only increase with time as the number of threats online continue to grow at an exponential rate. Fortunately, when it comes to cybersecurity mitigation, there’s PureVPN. Get yourself secured from DDoS attacks as well as other hacking attempts or cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity Explained
Cybersecurity is security relating to information technology and refers to the practice of shielding programs, systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks and data information of any kind.
The objective of these attacks is usually to gain access, modify, or damage sensitive information data, to disrupt typical business operations, or to extort large sums of money from the victims.
Why Cybersecurity is Important?
With incidents of cybersecurity threats and personal information thefts on the rise every year, it is certain that no business is safe from cyberattacks and threats, and they need to up their cybersecurity game. There were 1,100 major data breaches in 2018 alone, which compromised the data information of millions of people worldwide due to weak network security.
Programs and data are a business’s most valuable asset, and consequently, it’s imperative to focus on a holistic cybersecurity policy that encompasses coverage across data, systems, networks, and information security policies, including social engineering considerations. These are necessary preventatives to avoid identity theft and the leaking of confidential and highly sensitive information. A robust cybersecurity policy must also incorporate end-user education about digital security awareness and risks.
Companies need to constantly improve upon their quality control of cybersecurity policies, which includes the first incident response of security breaches and how the organization’s security department team will handle prospective breaches. A security team must also incorporate digital security for cookie policies, deploy virtual private networks for safe remote access, and install and support antivirus software. If necessary, the IT team will need to implement a strong BYOD (bring your own device) policy, establish a risk assessment framework, and perhaps look to hire a team that is comprised of an eligible chief information security officer, security architect, security engineer, and security analyst team.
It’s important for companies to, integrate cybersecurity with business continuity planning and their respective IT technological infrastructures after a flood, fire, hurricane, or another hazard-like event occurs. , They should also deploy threat intelligence security software along with cloud security, deploy intrusion prevention systems, and then emphasize the importance of data security, and general data protection regulation (GDPR)., It may also be important for entities where data centers are used to establish a partnership, or at the minimum, an understanding of expectations for data storage, backup, and recovery, data management, data loss protection, malware protection, and networking, and disaster recovery planning, keeping with a cybersecurity approach, to name a few.
However, cybersecurity is not just a business problem – your mobile phone data, tablet, and computer also contains data information that hackers would like to get their hands on! Take, for instance, if someone gains access to your social security number:, they can apply for credit in your name or file for a tax return to get a refund.
For these reasons, and more, cybersecurity is something that every business and individual needs to take seriously to avoid cybersecurity threats.
Types of Cyber Attacks
DDoS Attack
A denial-of-service (DoS) attack is when hackers attempt to make a system or service inaccessible to legitimate users by overwhelming it with a large volume of requests. Such attacks are launched by a single machine. A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, on the other hand, consists of hackers using multiple compromised machines to flood the intended target, resulting in a denial of service for its intended users.
Malware Attacks
A malware attack is a kind of cyberattack where a piece of malware or malicious software is used by hackers mostly via phishing emails attack and email attachments by injecting computer viruses to perform unauthorized activities on the computer of a victim without their authorization. The objective is to impersonate them and make money by stealing sensitive data, such as online banking credentials or credit card details.
Ransomware Attacks
A ransomware attack utilizes a type of malicious software that limits user access to files on the infected computer by encrypting them. To obtain the decryption key, the victim has to pay a specified sum as ransom, usually in bitcoin.
Social Engineering
A social engineering attack consists of psychologically manipulating an individual into revealing personal information or making security mistakes. This type of cyberattack has been around for a long time because it is difficult to stop with the use of technology alone.
How do I Prevent Cyber Attacks?
Secure All Hardware
The importance of safeguarding hardware is often overlooked, but it is a simple way to enhance the security of your network and devices. Therefore, make sure you have a robust firewall and antivirus solution in place to keep most, if not all, cyberattacks at bay. Creating complicated passwords and storing them away safely is also of utmost importance.
Keep Software Up-to-Date
The most common threat faced by almost everybody are the vulnerabilities in software. Hackers take advantage of these loopholes in order to gain unauthorized access to devices and the confidential data they hold. For this reason, you need to update your software as soon as new upgrades are made available.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication, also known as two-step verification, adds an extra layer of security by asking the user to provide two distinct authentication factors to prove their identity. For instance, you may be asked to enter a PIN number sent to your phone number in addition to entering your password. As such, you are better off enabling 2FA wherever possible.
Encrypt and Backup Important Data
When it comes to preventing unauthorized access to your sensitive data, encryption is indeed your best friend. According to researchers in the International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, the “most efficient fix” for data breaches is encryption. Moreover, backup data and store it separately to further protect yourself from the consequences of cyberattacks.
Know the Threats to Beat Them
It is equally important to know what threats you as an individual or business are most susceptible to. In this way, you will be able to focus your prevention measures on what is most important and better prepare yourself. So, it only makes sense to stay updated about the most common attack vectors and delivery channels as well as how you can stay protected against them.