Running a business in the information age requires a healthy fear of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity consulting can help you to identify, detect, and prevent security breaches and harmful cyber security threats. Read on to learn about five types of cyber-attacks your business needs to be prepared for.
1. Compromised Credentials
Compromised credentials – or “credit stuffing” – is currently one of the most prevalent cyber threats. Criminals look to exploit users whose credentials (i.e. usernames and passwords) are the same across several services. By gaining access to one service, such as Netflix, an online banking service, or Amazon, the compromised credentials can then be used to break into and gain further access to other platforms and systems.
Compromised credential attacks have been responsible for major security breaches at large companies such as TurboTax and Disney+, but any business could be at risk for this type of attack.
2. Malware
One of the oldest and best-known types of cyber security threats, malware is code developed and designed to cause severe damage to data, takedown systems, or gain unauthorized access to networks. Malware is typically found in unwanted emails including URLs or attachments.
While more awareness now exists around avoiding malware, spammers have become craftier in their attempts to entice users to inadvertently download their malicious software.
3. Ransomware
Arguably the most dangerous form of security threat, ransomware is designed specifically to extort money from business owners. Criminals use ransomware to encrypt a company’s data and will deploy a decryption key to the victim only once a specified ransom has been paid.
However, if the ransom is not paid, the decryption key is destroyed and the victim loses access to the data forever. Unfortunately, this is one of the most popular cyber-attack strategies today, as successful attacks can result in enormous payouts for criminals.
4. Network Intrusion
Network intrusion refers to any unauthorized activity on your network. Intrusions can place your organization’s security at risk, as valuable resources become vulnerable to theft. Some common network intrusion techniques include the use of covert scripts, multi-routing, traffic flooding, and protocol impersonation.
Because this activity appears unusual, but not abnormal, cybercriminals can easily slide by human surveillance, making this a difficult threat to detect manually.
5. Brute Force Attacks
Brute force attacks are commonly depicted in TV and film, and are, unfortunately, not just a work of fiction. Using high-powered computers to cycle through thousands of username and password combinations, cybercriminals use their computer cunning to strong-arm their way into secured networks.
Multi-factor authentication and frequent password changes with complex character combinations are some of the best ways to prevent these destructive attacks.
Now more than ever, it’s essential to protect your business from harmful cyber-attacks and make cyber security an integral part of your business plan. Edificio provides intelligent technology solutions that enable you to protect and run your business. Cybercriminals may be smart, but when you partner with the right technology solutions, you can be smarter.
