There are many pros of our increasingly digital world and workplaces, but these benefits may come at a cost. Cyber attacks are a common occurrence on the web. As the number of people that use the internet for both business and personal interactions increases, the number of cyberattacks also increases.
Simply being aware of some of the most common types of cyberattacks allows you to look out for them, and thus avoid becoming a victim of one. Here are the most common types of cyberattacks.
Phishing
Phishing entails a malicious sender sending emails that appear to be from trusted individuals or sources. The goal of this type of cyber attack is to access your sensitive information. These hackers may also potentially try to infect your device with viruses or malware.
Phishing often plays on your fears and emotions, which decreases your attention to detail. It’s best to assess any emails you receive that include links for telling signs of a scam.
It’s smart to look at the email address to ensure it is a reliable contact before allowing the threats or content included in the email to trick you into giving the sender any personal data.
Poor grammar and spelling mistakes are also obvious signs of a phishing attack.
Password Attacks
The most common type of cyberattack are attacks on passwords.
A password offers security for much of you and your business’s confidential information and data. Therefore, it’s important to be very careful when it comes to creating and sharing passwords.
You’ll want to ensure that all passwords you have are strong and contain various numbers, letters, and characters. Additionally, you should have different passwords for each site you have access to.
Malware
Malware and viruses are malicious software that are usually installed onto your device without your immediate knowledge.
This software can then access personal information, financial records, as well as can make your computer systems crash and fail. If not caught quickly, this malware can cause severe damage to your IT systems, company reputation, and/ or personal information.
For businesses that have a firewall system in place, the firewall should help to stop viruses and other malware software from infiltrating. If you don’t have a firewall in place, hired cybersecurity services can help you to install one in order to protect your information.
Man in the Middle
A “man in the middle” attack is where a hacker will get between two legitimate hosts. This allows them to intercept information between the 2 hosts.
By doing this, not only do the hackers see private information, but they can also manipulate it in order to make it appear from the legitimate source itself.
Be sure to use SSL certificates to enhance your security and consider a VPN for extra protection in order to avoid these kinds of attacks.
Drive-by Downloads
Drive-by downloads can be transmitted when you view an email or click on a pop-up from a hacked or unsecure website. This usually happens more frequently if your browsers aren’t updated with the latest security updates.
Try to stick to browsing on trusted websites and make sure that you are careful with any apps or programs that prompt you to download information.
It’s important to look after yourself and your data when using online services. The more you know when it comes to cybersecurity, the safer you and your data will be.