What Is Cyber Security?

Cyber security refers to the protection of computer systems from malicious actors. These actors could lead to unauthorized access to information, such as credit card details, IP addresses, passwords, and more. In addition, cybercriminals also seek to disrupt and take over network infrastructures, which can include the Internet and local networks.

Phishing

Phishing and cyber security has become a major concern, with recent successful cyber attacks using this technique. It has also become profitable for bad actors.

In a phishing attack, attackers use deceptive e-mails to steal personal information from unsuspecting users. These emails may ask for information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, or contain links to malicious websites. They can be used to install malware on the user’s computer, steal money, and even lock down a system.

The nature of cyber attacks has evolved over the years. Instead of using viruses and malware to compromise computers, attackers are now using phishing.

The most common type of phishing is email phishing. Typically, these messages contain malicious links that send private data to the attacker. If the link is clicked, the recipient’s computer is infected with a virus.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malware that can encrypt a user’s data and hold it for ransom. The typical ransom ranges from $500 to $3000 in bitcoins.

The best way to combat ransomware is prevention. But how can an organization avoid becoming a victim?

One of the most effective ways to protect your company from the ransomware scourge is to hire a cyber security consulting firm. These companies can offer a variety of services, from risk assessment to managed backup and data recovery. They can also lay a protective shield around your network.

Another measure you can take is to schedule automatic updates for your antivirus software. These updates are often available late at night and will help prevent ransomware attacks.

Social engineering

Social engineering is a technique that’s used to trick people into giving up information that they would otherwise be hesitant to share. Social engineering isn’t just limited to hackers. Educating employees about social engineering is also important.

A successful social engineering scam can disrupt the infrastructure of an organisation. Depending on the type of attack, the effects can range from financial loss to reputational damage.

The most common form of social engineering is phishing. This type of fraud involves sending a believable email to get access to an employee’s account. Once an employee logs into the system, the attacker can access their files.

Other forms of social engineering include pretexting and scareware. These scams use believable tactics to fool people into providing information or making a purchase.

DDoS

A DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack is a common and often costly occurrence. It is a network attack that uses a botnet, a network of infected computers, to force a target server to handle an excessive amount of traffic.

The ramifications of a DDoS include lost business, reputation damage, and reduced legitimate traffic. Typically, DDoS attacks last between hours and months.

A botnet is a group of infected computers that can be accessed and controlled remotely. This type of attack is the primary means of carrying out a distributed denial of service attack.

Another type of DDoS is known as a volumetric attack. In this case, the attacker floods a victim’s network with large volumes of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets.

DNS

The Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the most widely-used internet services. It connects users to websites and applications via the internet without delay.

However, the domain name system is also vulnerable to cyber attacks. There are several methods attackers use to hijack DNS servers and redirect web traffic to malicious sites.

The Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) is a security protocol developed to counter this threat. When implemented, DNSSEC will allow businesses to validate that the response they receive from a DNS server is genuine. This will help prevent malicious websites from spoofing their DNS responses.

Cache Poisoning is a common attack technique that uses spam emails and DNS exploits to reroute web traffic to a bogus website. In order to execute this method, a compromised DNS server must be manipulated to perform a fake DNS lookup.

Network security

Cyber security is a branch of information security that protects data and online security. The primary goal of cyber security is to protect all data, including digital, in any form. This includes computer programs, networks, and company devices.

A cyber security strategy can include a variety of techniques, but the most important is the prevention of unauthorized access to information. It is important to implement a comprehensive, unified security strategy, and to maintain awareness of all network access points.

One of the most important measures in defending against threats is a firewall. This prevents malware from entering the network, and can help protect against other types of attacks as well.