A civilization that spends more time in the digital than in the real world handles most of its business online and has almost fully turned to the digital world for entertainment and social interactions needs to take its cybersecurity very, very seriously.
Still, what does cybersecurity even mean? Clearly, this is supposed to be a bulwark against some vicious cyber threats, but what are these threats? Well, here are nine examples currently dominating/plaguing the digital world.
1. Ransomware
Sometimes, you download dangerous software that encrypts your files, making them inaccessible. To regain access to these files, you must pay the ransom to the hacker responsible, usually in cryptocurrency, so it can’t be traded as easily.
This is problematic for several reasons. First, you’re losing resources to access your files, but then again, there’s no guarantee that they’ll honor their end of the bargain, is it? After all, it’s not like you’ve signed a contract or that they’re obliged to honor their word.
In other words, you’re either facing a data loss, a financial loss, or a data and a financial loss. Either way, it’s a huge problem.
Also, remember that many people use their devices for work, and this kind of leak could bring down an enterprise (or a career).
2. Supply chain attacks
Supply chains are the lifeline of any business but are also complex structures prone to exploitation. Since they’re always transactional, there’s always a benefit in exploiting these systems. This can harm the company (and benefit unethical competition) or directly benefit the attacker.
These attacks often include:
? Targeting interconnected partners
? Hidden entry points
? Impact amplification
? Diverse attack vendors
These attacks are incredibly difficult to detect and prevent. After all, the supply chain often has multiple parties involved, which causes a lack of transparency. In other words, you may not know what’s happening with someone else’s part of the supply chain before the problem gets too serious. The only solutions to this problem are better communication and more transparency.
3. Phishing
This is one of the most common cyberattack techniques that could result in identity theft, credentials theft, financial impact, or more. The bottom line is that the malicious party assumes the guise of trustworthiness and sends you a link to a false site. This site usually looks authentic to the real one, and once you try logging in, you share your password, email, and more with this party.
There are three reliable ways to protect yourself from phishing. The first one is to educate yourself on this subject. By learning how to spot phishing and actively looking for signs of phishing, you’ll drastically increase your odds of survival.
Second, you can just go directly to the site mentioned instead of clicking on a link. This is a handy habit that will keep you safe.
The third one is to install an antivirus on all your devices. This will passively look for signs of phishing and keep you safe. To choose which one, you should find a review that will break down the best antivirus options and choose based on this.
4. Data breaches
Every piece of information about us is already online. A loss of data can be a loss of reputation and identity. Someone with access to your photo and personal identification can catfish people identifying as you and damage your irreparable reputation. They can steal your funds and intellectual property and even commit fraud in your name, which you could be culpable/responsible for.
When it comes to businesses, loss of customer data will cause reputational damage and even have legal and regulatory consequences. After all, it’s your responsibility to keep this data safe. This will also result in hefty fines and a much higher churn rate (when the news gets out).
5. Cryptojacking
Crypto mining takes a lot of computing power, electricity, and investment. However, what if you could infect someone’s computer with malware, steal some of their computing (say 20%), and use it to mine crypto for you? While this drop would be noticeable, it probably wouldn’t be big enough to raise serious suspicion.
An infected device would lose some of its resources, the energy consumption would be somewhat higher, and the hardware would deteriorate faster. However, if the owner of the device is not tech-savvy enough to be aware of the cryptojacking, they’ll just immediately assume that there’s a malfunction or a natural deterioration of the hardware involved. They might not even take any action.
6. Zero-day exploits
While software can be in development for quite a while, you can’t know all the bugs and problems until the product hits the shelves. Even if you’re beta or alpha-testing the product, you'll have just tens or hundreds of users. Then, upon launch, you will expose your systems to thousands (sometimes even millions).
This means that any problem or flaw in the system will be noticed and exploited on the shortest notice. What if this information gets into the wrong hands? How bad will these exploits be before you can patch or fix anything? Are other users going to be endangered, as well?
7. Cloud security concerns
When something is stored on your SD card, HDD, or USB drive, the only way for someone to steal it is to steal the device physically. This involves them pickpocketing you, breaking into your home, or finding an item you’ve misplaced. This event is hard to notice, and you’ll immediately be alarmed.
However, things are a bit subtler regarding a cloud breach. You may not be notified in time, and many people keep everything they have on these platforms. They have their work-related documents, personal photos, and even private correspondences.
Many people distrust cloud security, not because it’s unsafe but because the stakes are too high. This means that the standards and investments in cloud security are much higher.
8. IoT vulnerabilities
The concept of the IoT is a trend that strives to connect every single physical item or device to a single network. You can later use it to check the expiration date of the products in your fridge, see if you’ve left the door to your home unlocked while at work, and see how many hours until your light bulb burns out.
The problem is that someone else can get access to this. Now, with a heavy reliance on smart devices and IoT, you’re virtually putting every information about you on the line.
An even bigger problem with this is that it’s still a relatively new concept. This means there’s a lack of standardization of protocols, security measures, and more. Also, this isn’t even well regulated, and how you would get insured from these threats is questionable.
9. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
Most people imagine a cyber attack as a major offensive against your digital presence. APTs are different. If a cyber attack is a major military offensive, APTs are an infiltration. A malicious party or a group will penetrate your defenses and remain undetected for some time. They’ll gather intel and steal valuable data, intellectual property, or sensitive information. In today’s world, everyone has sensitive information.
The problem with APTs is that they’re conducted by professionals, usually organized in a hacker group. They’re also patient, subtle, and persistent, which makes them harder to notice.
Protection against this is difficult; it relies heavily on user education and regular audits. You also need to have a quick incident response plan.
Understanding threats is the first step in preventing the worst outcomes
While there are a lot of instances that you, as an individual user, can do little about, awareness is always a positive trait. Using antivirus, being more suspicious of online parties you’re unfamiliar with, and continuously reading on this subject matter should help keep you safe.