Any person with a device is at a high risk of being a victim of cyber security. The problem faces not only individuals but also well-established businesses and organizations. The malware market has been made prime by the increased use of technology and dependence on connectivity. The following are some of the major cyber threats that people face.
1- Malware
It is considered the most prolific and well-known cyber security threat. Malware is software that is designed to damage or destroy a system. One can install malware on a computer in several ways, such as fraud clicks, phishing, and drive-by downloads. Some of the damages caused by malware include denied access to files in your device, unbeknownst data theft, and even complete device loss.
One can best defend themselves by taking proactive action against malware. It is important to have reliable antivirus software installed on their device. Also, make sure that you identify suspicious files or emails and report them to the authorities.
2- Phishing
Phishing is one of the most successful ways for hackers to gain information about a company or individual. Phishing involves sending out emails that appear as though they are from a legitimate source, such as your bank or employer. These emails usually come with an attachment, which, when opened, can contain malware that will infect your device. The best way to avoid phishing is by not following any links in the email and only opening attachments from known sources.
One can prevent phishing by being cautious when opening emails and attachments from unknown sources. It is also important to verify the sender’s legitimacy before accepting any attachments or downloading any files from them. When in doubt, it is best to delete all unsolicited email messages. One should also not visit websites that ask for personal information such as passwords or bank account details. Furthermore, contact the authorities immediately after receiving an email asking for personal information.
3- Social Engineering
The threat comes as a deception to people, making them share sensitive details, such as bank card details, social security numbers, or even passwords. Social engineering attacks can be carried out by using impersonation techniques by posing as a trusted source. Most phishing emails will look like they are from a legitimate source and will give the attacker an advantage in gaining the trust of their victims.
Preventing the same requires one to stay skeptical of emails, messages, and friend requests from unknown sources. One should also use spam filtering software to check for emails from unknown sources. Furthermore, one should never disclose personal information via email.
4- Distributed Denial of Service
The term DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service and refers to the act of flooding a server with requests to make it inaccessible or overloaded. DDoS is one of the most common forms of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks that target websites and networks on a web server platform. People can carry out these attacks by using automated tools such as botnets and malware. The main objective of these attacks is to overload the server to render it unresponsive or cause it to crash. Most DDoS attacks target websites and networks on web server platforms. These types of attacks are more prevalent among cybercriminals who have used various methods such as malware, social engineering, and many others.
One may require to stop any form of malicious traffic or halt access to the network by implementing a firewall and intrusion detection systems.