Organizations, businesses, and individuals are faced with the problem of cybersecurity due to the widespread adoption of technology, including the internet. Since the discovery of the internet, different kinds of security risks have prevailed in many setups.
Before investing in computer security services, you should identify the security threats that can harm your business. Although this sounds like a big problem, security risks can be identified and avoided with a proactive approach. Let’s take a look at some cybersecurity threats and how to avoid them.
Computer viruses
Computer viruses are malicious programs that invade computers by attaching themselves to a system or host file. After entering your computer, they can slow down the operations or lead to the loss of important data and files.
You can avoid computer viruses by installing antivirus software into your system to scan for viruses. Antivirus software scans codes or incoming files that are being transmitted through a network to detect viruses and prevent your system from attacks.
Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks depend on social engineering to attack the system. The user receives an email or a message requesting sensitive data such as identification or password. A phishing message may use legitimate appearing media and addresses, making it look official.
Keeping phishing attacks at bay requires being mindful of messages and emails you receive and avoiding opening them, especially if you don't know the sender. You may also need to check your email content before clicking on any links.
SQL Injection
An SQL involves data manipulation and is used to access information that is marked as unavailable. Malicious people manipulate SQL queries to access and damage sensitive information.
SQL injection prevention entails smart firewalls implementation to detect and filter any unwanted requests. You can also develop a code to identify illegal inputs of malicious users.
Malware
Malware, also called ransomware, attacks a system and will only stop the attacks after you pay a hefty ransom to the cybercriminal. The threats infect database systems before encrypting data and threatening to delete your files.
If your computer starts to slow down, shut it down, reboot the system and install security software to scan the computer for malware. You can combine malware with antivirus software from a reputable source.
Distributed Denial of Service ( DDoS)
In DDoS attacks, malicious people overload the servers with user traffic. When a server is unable to handle various requests, the website that the server hosts slows down or shuts down completely.
To avoid DDoS, identify any malicious traffic and stop the access. This may be involving and time-consuming, depending on the number of malicious IPs used to perpetrate the attack.
Trojan Horse
A Trojan Horse is a type of malicious program that carries other viruses and appears harmless and legitimate. They include backdoor, exploit, DDoS, Dropper, Downloader, and banker Trojans. When they attack your system, they can steal sensitive data.
An email could come with an attachment or a link containing the viruses and after opening the attachment, the virus is downloaded into your computer. To avoid Trojan attacks, you can install cybersecurity software or carry out regular software maintenance.
Cross-site ( XSS) attack
Under this attack, a third party targets a website that is not encrypted, causing malicious code to load into the system. When a user accesses the website, the payload is sent to their browser or system, leading to unwanted behavior.
One of the most effective ways of avoiding XSS attacks is through encryption. You can also use script-blocker add-ons to your browser or turn off scripts of your web pages to prevent instant activation of a malicious payload.
Password theft
An unwanted third party can guess or steal your password and access sensitive information. This is a more serious concern for enterprises because it may lead to the loss of sensitive data.
A robust password protection method is to have a two-factor authentication procedure that requires a second device to log in. Changing the passwords regularly and using complicated login thwarts may prevent the threat.
Zero-day exploits
This is a common attack that targets software, network, or a system by taking advantage of a compromised security situation. It causes unusual behavior to the system, data loss, or data damage.
You will be required to discover the problem caused by exploits and fix it. Since the attack vulnerability can exist for a long time before discovery, you should maintain functional safety habits until a solution is found.
Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking is a common threat in cryptocurrency that occurs where malware is attempted to be installed in the system. This threat attacks unprotected systems and is deployed due to the hardware-intensive nature of crypto mining.
Cryptojacking avoidance involves regularly updating the security software/apps and using the latest version on all the smart devices.
Conclusion
The above cyber threats continue to become complex as technology advances, but learning about them is a great way to defend your systems and networks. By implementing the avoidance procedures, you will be able to protect your business more effectively.
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).