The method of securing devices, systems, networks, and data breaches is known as cybersecurity. These cyberattacks can make organizations lose confidential data, and disrupt normal business processes, or even be victims of ransomware attacks. Today, attackers are becoming more inventive, successful cybersecurity measures are especially difficult.
What exactly is cybersecurity?
To build an excellent foundation against cyber threats, an organization's personnel, strategies, and technologies must complement one another. A centralized threat management framework can streamline key security operational processes such as identification, analysis, and remediation by automating integrations across the security.
Multiple layers of defense are distributed through the devices, networks, applications, and data that one wants to keep secure in an effective cybersecurity strategy.
What is essential to building a build a secure framework against online threats?
Here are the essential elements that are foundational for structuring a good cybersecurity framework:
- Robust firewalls, DNS filtering, malware detection, anti-virus apps, and email security solutions are all popular technologies used to secure computers, mobile devices, routers, networks and the cloud. Technology is critical in providing companies and individuals with the information security resources they need to defend against cyber attacks.
- Basic data protection concepts such as using good passwords, being careful of links in email, and uploading and downloading must all be known, understood and followed at all times by users.
- Organizations need to have a plan in place for dealing with both attempted and actual cyberattacks that shows how to detect and react to threats and recover from cyberattacks.
What are the elements of cybersecurity?
The cybersecurity area is divided into several parts, each of which must be integrated within the company to develop an effective cybersecurity program. The following are included in these sections:
- Information or data protection
- Business continuity planning/disaster recovery
- Key infrastructure security
- Operational safety
- Cloud-based security
- Application protection
- End-user awareness
- Data encryption
- Physical security
What are the different types of cybersecurity threats?
Types of cyber threats include:
Malware
Malware is a type of malicious software that can be used to damage a computer user by using any file or program. Worms, malware, Trojan horses, and spyware are examples of this.
Ransomware
Another form of malware is ransomware that includes an intruder encrypting and locking the victim's computer device files and requesting payment to decrypt and unlock them.
Social Engineering
Social engineering is a form of attack that uses human activity to persuade users to breach security procedures to obtain sensitive data that is usually protected.
Phishing
Phishing is a form of social engineering in which a fake email or text message is sent that looks like it came from a legitimate or well-known source.
Spear Phishing
Spear phishing is a form of phishing attack that targets a specific user, business, or organization.
Human Errors
Human-caused security breaches or casualties, such as those caused by staff, vendors, or consumers, are known as insider threats. Insider risks may be either malicious or careless.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM)
These are eavesdropping attacks involving a man-in-the-middle (MitM) intruder intercepting and relaying communications between two parties who think they are communicating with each other.
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)
These attacks interrupt the traffic of a targeted system, such as a server, website, or other network resources, by using several techniques. Attackers can delay or crash the target device by flooding it with messages, link requests, or packets, preventing legitimate traffic from using it.
Advanced persistent threats (APTs)
These are long-term targeted attacks in which an attacker tries to destroy a network and goes undetected for long periods to steal information.
How to Protect Yourself From a Cyber Attack?
Establishing cybersecurity in an ever-changing risk environment is a difficult task for any business. Existing traditional methods, which focused resources on defending structures against the most well-known threats while leaving relatively unpopular threats undefended, are no longer effective. A more proactive and flexible approach is needed to keep up with changing security threats. Several popular cybersecurity consulting organizations may help.
1. Passwords are crucial
When choosing a password, remember: the longer it is, the stronger it is. A strong password is at least 12 characters long and hard to guess. A unique way to ensure that your password is both long and hard to crack is by using a sentence relevant to you. Also, it is always a good idea not to use the same password to access any two accounts. 51% of people use the same passwords for both work and personal accounts.
Store your passwords in a well-protected file, or it is even better if you write them down somewhere safe, like in your personal diary, that no one has access to. 53% of people rely on their memory to manage passwords.
Make sure to keep changing your password every now and then. You might have a very secure password but having one password for years or months-long is a terrible decision. Did you know that as many as 57% of people who are victims of phishing attacks still haven’t changed their passwords?
Make sure that you don’t use the following passwords for any of your online accounts or devices, as these are the most common ones:
- 123123
- QWERTY
- 111111
- 123456
- 0000
- Password
- Your name
Some online websites even have scales that indicate how secure your password is. Test your password on these websites.
2. Secure your device
Suppose your mobile device is left unattended, lost, or stolen. In that case, it may be used to gain access to your personal information, assets, or identity, as well as irreplaceable data such as images or messages.
Here are some steps you can take to protect your device against cyber threats:
- Installing anti-virus software
- Always keep your phone-tracker option active on your device
- Set up provisions for remote locking
- Set a password, gesture, or fingerprint to unlock that cannot be done without your presence
- Always ask for permission through password before installing applications
- Keep Bluetooth inactive while not in use and disabling automatic network link
3. Use an online screen recorder
Use an online screen recorder such as Screen Capture that captures all your screen activity. You can keep this option working in the background while accessing unsecured websites or network channels to track malicious pop-ups or links in case you encounter a cyberattack.
If you’re on a video call with an untrustworthy source, use Screen Capture’s webcam recorder to identify and monitor any dubious activity at the caller’s end.
4. Be careful of phony emails
This may seem drastic, but be on the lookout for deceptive emails and malicious web pages at all times (spam and phishing). Interacting with them puts the data at risk and can lead to the transmission of viruses. Avoid opening emails from unknown senders, delete attachments in unwanted emails and stop risky clicks by typing the address into your browser instead.
5. Check if you’ve already been involved in a data breach
If your device has already been breached before, consider upgrading to better cybersecurity software to prevent recurrent attacks.
Why is cybersecurity important?
Innovative cyber defense programs in today's open-ended digital world are indispensable. At the individual level, a cyber threat can result in identity theft to extortion attempts. It is critical to keep the data from hospitals, finance firms, and government organizations secure for our society to function at the industrial level.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).