Life without the internet seems unimaginable. We spend hours upon hours on social media, shopping online, or communicating with our distant friends and family. Our whole lives revolve around it. Work and education would have been impossible if it hadn’t been for the internet during the pandemic. It has, for better or for worse, completely transformed our lives.
Society’s increasing reliance on technology has also made it more susceptible to cybercrime. How many times a day do you find yourself entering your personal information, like your email address, contact number, date of birth, and even your home address, to gain access to a website? All this information is at risk of getting into the wrong hands. We even post pictures of ourselves and broadcast our whole lives online. It’s a dangerous world out there! The only thing preventing things from getting out of control is cyber security.
With regard to this large, interconnected system, i.e., the internet, that is so beneficial to society, cyber security is concerned with preserving the accessibility, anonymity, and integrity of the data that moves through it. However, not every IT professional or techie is equipped to deal with cyber threats; hence cyber security professionals with the required qualifications and experience are needed.
The demand for qualified cyber security specialists is urgent and increasing every day. We need to keep our data safe from people with bad intentions. This increase in demand for cyber security professionals by businesses and governments has made it easier to get a degree in cyber security as more and more institutions now offer programs in this discipline, like an MBA in cyber security. A degree in cyber security covers not only the basics but also the recent developments and trends in the field.
However, as cyber security is evolving, so is cybercrime. Cyber threats to enterprises are frequently changing as attackers are adjusting to new situations thanks to cybercriminals’ continual innovation. They can be any range of potential hostile attacks that could compromise information security, allow unauthorized access to data, or interfere with digital processes. Here are six types of cyber security threats that companies and governments encounter to give you an idea of what cyber security threats are actually like:
Malicious Software
There are several websites where when you click on a certain link or just scroll downwards, a new tab opens, which is generally an advertisement saying, “Congratulations! You have won $100,000!”. This is malware. It is more commonly known as malware. The new tab or page that opens sometimes wants you to install some software. That software may contain a virus that will then spread through your system and make it inoperable. For instance, ransomware holds your system hostage till a certain amount is paid online. Some types of software spy on your personal activities and may commit monetary fraud. In 2021, globally, 623.3 million ransomware attacks took place. No matter how safe it seems, it is better not to download anything that seems suspicious.
Phishing and Spam
We all know what spam is. We get unwanted and unsolicited emails, text messages, and calls all the time. Phishing, however, seeks to steal important personal information like your credit card number. You wouldn’t even tell your sibling your credit card number and pin, let alone a random person asking you for it online, right? It is why cybercriminals pretend to be employees of your bank and send a warning related to your account. Everything seems legitimate. They use all the correct logos and a professional tone. You feel compelled to provide your credit card and login information because you think that it could be an actual warning from your bank.
Attacks on Password
64% of passwords revealed in breaches in 2021 were used again in 2022. Password attacks include cybercriminals hacking their way into the password databases and using those passwords to gain access to hoards of information of institutions, governments, and companies. The hackers may also guess the correct password or trick people into telling them their passwords themselves. Always keep tricky passwords that are hard to guess, and do not to use the same password for all your account.
Account Takeover
Companies that don’t have proper security over their banking systems are usually the target of takeovers. The cybercriminals transfer funds from the company’s bank to accounts handled by themselves. This results in huge losses for the organizations. Account takeover (ATO) losses escalated by 90% in 2021 alone, adding up to $11.4 billion.
Denial of Service (DoS) Attack
It is a type of attack that is designed to take down a website or an entire network and prevent its users from accessing it. DoS attacks achieve this by diverting an excessive amount of traffic or information to the victim’s website to cause a crash. Both times, the DoS attack denies the service that legit users (such as employees, members, or cardholders) expected. High-profile businesses like banks, media outlets, or trade associations are frequently targeted. DoS attacks can cost the company a lot of time and money but don’t normally cause the loss or theft of important data and other assets.
Structured Query Language (SQL) Injection
It is related to databases, for example, data entry forms. The cybercriminals enter Structured Query Language codes into the search engine or data entry fields which then allows them to gain access to the database. They may change it, delete it, add new data or use it for their own nefarious purposes.
Conclusion
Businesses and consumers that are concerned about cyber risks may find this to be a frightening time. Cyber-attacks happen frequently, but with the right protection, organizations can protect their assets from hackers. A good cyber security team or just one competent person can remain on top of the majority of the most serious cyber threats, but it involves strategy and resource commitment. Cyber security professionals are in demand now more than ever.
