Are you aware of the risks network security threats bring?
As we live in the digital age, more data and information get exposed to malicious threats. A report claims businesses experience up to 270 cybersecurity attacks a year. So whether you’re a casual computer user or own a business, you should never take cyber security threats lightly.
To prevent these issues, you must use an efficient system to protect data and information. With solid network security, you keep the business safe. If you act on cyber threats, you can enjoy a good night’s sleep without worrying about your data.
So, what common cyber security threats should you be on the lookout for? Read on to discover the network security threats and how to handle them.
1. Computer Viruses
Is your computer crashing, failing to restart, or missing files out of nowhere? These are signs of a computer virus infecting your device system. Computer viruses are network security threats that people deal with almost every day.
A computer virus is a type of malware that spreads between devices. It can disable security settings, corrupt files, and steal information. If you fail to counter this attack, you can lose all your valuable data in a snap.
Computer viruses get into your system through different means. It can appear as an email attachment, a downloadable file, or an installed application. Once you click and open the file, the virus starts to plant vulnerabilities in your system.
To prevent this, you must never open suspicious emails and files. For complete protection, downloading and installing antivirus software is the best solution. As viruses evolve, experts develop software that can prevent, detect, and delete them.
After installing an antivirus, it runs right away to provide real-time protection. However, for it to scan, you must disconnect from your connection as it can spread through the net. Then, check for updates after running the antivirus and enable your firewall.
2. Ransomware
If you’re wondering what network security threat people dread, it’s ransomware. It’s another type of malware that uses encryption to hold data and information at ransom. With its nature, ransomware is one of the most profitable criminal acts today.
In 2017, WannaCry ransomware hackers demanded $300 to $600 worth of bitcoin. If you convert it into cash, it ranges from $7,000,000 to $14,500,000. With good luck and skills, experts were able to counter the attack.
But how does ransomware get into your system? Many ransomware attacks occur through a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS). When people want to attack, they pay RaaS dealers to develop codes they can use to create malware.
Many RaaS exist to support and give people tools to start ransomware campaigns. Some of the common attacks are REvil, LockBit, and BlackMatter. They allow people to infect systems, encrypt data, and threaten to destroy files.
To counter ransomware attacks, you must establish reliable security policies and procedures. It can include installing antivirus, updating security patches, and training for security awareness. Further, develop a backup and recovery strategy to scale down the impact of an attack.
3. Phishing Attack and Social Engineering
Scammers don’t only exist in real life, because they start to invade cyberspace, too. Phishing and social engineering are threats that use fraud practices to steal information. Threats like these cause lost assets, damaged reputation, and disrupted activities.
A scammer can get to you through calls, text messages, and emails. To prevent these fraudulent acts, use solid network security in your system.
For phishing attacks, install antispyware, antimalware, and antivirus software. The antispyware program can detect and remove spyware. For protection, antimalware scans your system for unwanted malware and removes them.
Further, you must set your firewall to block cyberattacks from accessing confidential files. Update the programs often to ensure security. When detecting phishing activities, be vigilant about the information provided to you.
There are ways you can practice preventing social engineering attacks. You can use multifactor authentication to guarantee account security. Strengthen spam filters, verify the source, and use reliable security software.
If you don’t apply these, you can suffer from phishing and social engineering. You can give away personal information to hackers pretending to be a trusted entity. Next thing you know, they have stolen your identity, money, and property.
4. DoS and DDoS
Have you tried refreshing a page many times, only for it to show an error page? Extreme web traffic occurs when many visitors want to access your website. However, you can link some cases to a denial-of-service (DoS) or distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
A DoS is a network security threat where users cannot access systems due to traffic overload. When a website suffers from extreme traffic, they fail to serve the visitors. A DoS attack affects businesses the most, as they cannot act immediately.
For forceful traffic, the DDoS threat uses several computers to launch the attack. Further, it involves up to thousands or more computer units. Through a botnet, the attackers comprise and add the units to the central network.
With its nature, countering a DDoS attack is harder than the DoS attack. However, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With a prevention management system, you can block, filter, and delete malware.
With this, you can check system activities, determine traffic inconsistencies, and act.
5. Insider Threats
Most people focus on developing network security and policies against external threats. This causes many businesses to forget that attacks can occur on internal premises. An insider threat comes from people in an organization who has access to vital information.
A report in 2020 claimed that about 34% of businesses suffer from insider attacks every year. With these malicious activities, they experience increased downtime, revenue loss, and unproductivity. What causes insider threats?
Internal threats can result from negligence, abuse of account privileges, and weak security. They are hard to detect and counter as people in the organization have access to the system. However, there are ways you can reduce insider threats besides installing programs.
First, establish a threat model where you identify security needs and determine threats. Next, focus on detecting and remediating the attacks by reviewing user activities. You can start with access, authentication, and logs.
Limit data accessibility using multifactor authentication and other security layers. You can streamline the visibility of insider threats for easy remediation. Then, improve your response to attacks.
Network Security: Threats and Solutions
Here are common network security threats to be cautious of and their solutions. Weak network security exposes you to different attacks, resulting in losses. To prevent problems, install effective programs and improve the network security system.
Want to know more tips on improving your network security? Check out our other blog posts for more.