Cyber Security Awareness: Ways to Protect Cyber Attack Vulnerability

Large volumes of data are collected and stored by businesses. So much of your business revolves around private data, from invoicing invoices to banking information.

 

To accomplish this, you must put your faith in your staff with this information. Even the most well-intentioned individual, though, may make silly mistakes that expose your firm to cyber intrusions.

 

We recently performed research to see how many firms are concerned about cyberattacks caused by staff errors. Moreover half of the organizations polled felt that a cyberattack might be caused by a company's inadequate knowledge, negligence, or malice. 

 

As per ComputerWeekly.com, an additional study finds that 84 per cent of cyberattack victims blame the assault, at least in part, on dumb negligence. So, what kind of employee errors make your firm vulnerable to cyberattacks? 

 

Here's a rundown of the most typical staff blunders, along with suggestions for how to avoid them. But before that, let’s check out some of the cyber attacks that can exploit the organization.

 

Also Read | All about Cybersecurity Threats

 

Types of Cyber Attacks

 

In today's society, there are many different types of cyberattacks. Knowing the different forms of cyberattacks makes it easier to defend our networks and systems against them. We'll look at the top cyber-attacks that can damage a single person or a major corporation, based on the extent.

 

Let's begin with the many sorts of cyberattacks we've identified:

 

1. Malware Attack

 

One of the most typical forms of cyberattacks is something like this. Grubs, spyware, extortion, spyware, and trojans are examples of harmful software viruses.

 

The trojan virus imitates the appearance of legal software. Spyware is a program that takes all of your personal data with your awareness, whereas Ransomware prevents accessibility to the network's crucial elements. Adware is software that shows advertising information on a user's screen, including such banners.

 

 

2. Phishing Attack

 

Phishing attacks are amongst the most common and well-known kinds of cybercrime. It's a form of social engineering attack in which the attacker poses as a trustworthy connection and sends the victims bogus mails.

 

The target receives the email and hits on the malicious link or downloads the package without realizing it. As a result, attackers obtain access to sensitive data and bank information. A phishing attack may also be used to hack the system.

 

 

3. Man-in-the-Middle Attack

 

An intercepting attack is also referred to as a Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM). In this approach, an attacker intervenes in a two-way connection, hijacking the connection between a client and a server. Hackers can steal and modify data this way.

 

The client-server interaction has been broken off, and the channel of communication now flows through the attacker.

 

 

4. SQL Injection Attack

 

When an attacker manipulates a conventional SQL query on a data system website, this is known as a SQL injection attack. It is done by injecting malicious software into a susceptible site search box, causing the server to divulge sensitive data.

 

As a result, the attacker has access to the databases' tables and may read, update, and remove them. This can also be used by attackers to get administrative access.

 

 

5. DDoS Attack

 

A Denial-of-Service Attack (DoS) is a serious danger to businesses. Strikers flood networks, databases, or systems with traffic in order to deplete their resources and connectivity.

 

When this transpires, the servers' ability to handle customer orders becomes overburdened, and the service it hosts is forced to go offline or slow down. As a result, valid service inquiries go unanswered.

 

 

6. Cryptojacking

 

Cryptojacking is a phrase that is strongly associated with cryptocurrencies. Cryptojacking occurs when an attacker gains access to another person's computer in order to set up and configure.

 

By hijacking a website or tricking the user into downloading malware, the attacker gains access. For this, they also employ web adverts with JavaScript code. Users are conscious of this since the Crypto mining code operates in the background; the only indicator they may notice is a delay in implementation.

 

The top six types of cyberattacks were listed above. Let us now take you through the following segment of our cyber security awareness topic.

 

What is Cyber Security Awareness?

 

Becoming aware of cybersecurity in everyday settings is referred to as cybersecurity awareness. Cybersecurity awareness includes being conscious of the risks of surfing the web, responding to emails, and engaging online. It is our obligation as corporate leaders to ensure that everyone views cybersecurity to be an important aspect of their job.

 

Although not every person in a company has to comprehend subjects like SPF records and DNS cache poisoning, arming every individual with information pertaining to their job helps them stay secure online—at work and at home. 

 

The best method to prepare the appropriate people for the proper cybersecurity risks is to provide role-based instruction for technical and non-technical employees.

 

The term "cybersecurity awareness" may have a unique interpretation for the majority of the workforce than it does for engineers. Information systems, permissions, and laws are all things that your IT staff should be familiar with, but they aren't always appropriate in the context of your company. 

 

Developing a cybersecurity awareness programme that drives long-term behavior change requires providing proper training to every workgroup.

 

Also Read | Biggest IoT Security Issues 

 

Cyber Security Awareness: Ways to Protect from Cyber Attacks

---

Cyber Security Awareness

---

 

1. Using Insecure Login Credentials

 

According to Mashable, 81% of individuals are using the same passcodes for all of it. Personally identifiable information, such as a username or street address, is used in a lot of passwords, which is an issue. 

 

Cybercriminals have systems that monitor online presence for possible password sequences and plug them in one by one until they find one that works. They also utilize dictionary assaults, which test a variety of terms until they discover one that matches.

 

Solution

 

• Employees should be required to use strong passwords.

 

• To make a password more secure, include digits and symbols. Modify "Analyticssteps" to "Ana!yti(s$teps" for example.

 

• Set policies requiring workers to create unique, complicated passwords with at least 12 characters, and to change them if they suspect they have been hacked.

 

• Use a password manager programme to establish secure individual credentials for many apps, websites, and devices, taking the guesswork out of it.

 

 

2. Leaving Credentials on Sticky Notes

 

How many of you have gone through the workplace and seen a sticky note with credentials scrawled on it on a computer screen? It happens quite frequently than you may believe. But you still want to foster a sense of trust within your company, making passwords accessible is too trustworthy.

 

Solution

 

• If staff are required to write down credentials, request that the hardcopy be kept in secured cabinets.

 

 

3. Having Complete Control

 

Companies do not always compartmentalize data. To put it another way, everyone in the firm, from trainees to senior executives, has access to the very same documents. When everyone has equal access to data, the number of persons who can release, lose or mismanage data grows.

 

Solution

 

• Set up tiers of access, granting access only to those who require it at each level.

 

• Limit the number of users who may make changes to the system's settings.

 

• Don't give employees administrative access to their devices unless they absolutely need it. Even staff with administrative privileges should only utilize them when absolutely necessary.

 

• To fight CEO fraud, require dual sign-off before any payments over a specific amount may be made.

 

Also Read | Types of Security Events and Event Logs

 

 

4. Opening Emails from Strangers

 

In industry, email is the predominant method of interaction. As per The Radicati Group, the typical individual receives 235 messages every day. With several emails, it's only natural that some of them are scammers. 

 

Receiving an unknown email or an application within an email might spread a virus, giving attackers access to your industry's digital infrastructure.

 

Solution

 

• Employees should be advised not to open emails from persons they do not know.

 

• Employees should be warned not to access any unfamiliar attachments or URLs.

 

 

5. Antivirus Software That Hasn't Been Updated

 

Antivirus software should be installed as a precaution, but employees should not be responsible for keeping it up to date. Employees at certain firms are urged to make changes and have the option of whether or not to do so.

 

When employees are in the middle of a project, they are likely to say no to upgrades since many of them require them to shut applications or restart machines. Antivirus updates are critical, and they should be done immediately rather than delegated to personnel.

 

Solution

 

• Set up key software patches to happen automatically after work hours.

 

• Allow no employee, regardless of rank, to opt-out of the corporate policy.

 

 

6. Using Mobile Devices That Aren't Secure

 

Do your staff have company-issued smartphones, tablets, or laptop computers? If that's the case, do you have a strategy in place to maintain these gadgets safe? Many businesses are unconcerned about mobile devices, yet they are an obvious target for fraudsters.

 

Solution

 

• Every gadget should have a password.

 

• Have such a line of communication to call if a device is stolen, and take procedures to remotely disable the device.

 

• To control portable devices remotely, use endpoint software solutions.

 

• Do not use untrusted public Wi-Fi to undertake sensitive activities.

 

 

7. Lacking Effective Staff Training

 

Employees are amongst the most popular ways for cybercrooks to gain access to your data. They'll send phishing emails pretending to be from your company, requesting personal information and access to specific documents. 

 

To the untrained observer, links can appear real, and it's easy to make the mistake. This is why personnel must be aware of their surroundings at all times.

 

Training your staff on cyber attack management and keeping them informed about current cybersecurity threats was among the most effective strategies to fight against cyber attacks and all forms of data exposures.

 

Solution

 

Annual effective cybersecurity training should be provided. The following are examples of possible topics:

 

• The relevance of cybersecurity training and the justifications for it.

 

• Online scams and phishing

 

• Computers that are locked

 

• Management of passwords

 

• How to take care of your mobile devices

 

• Situational scenarios that are relevant

 

Also Read | Security Misconfiguration and Vulnerability Management

 

 

Major Cyber Attacks on Companies

 

1. WannaCry: The World's Worst Phishing Attack

 

The NHS, FedEx, Nissan, and Hitachi were all devastated by one of the largest phishing assaults in history in May 2017.

 

This attack was distributed by email to over 150 nations and 200,000 endpoints around the globe, and it tricked recipients into downloading documents, which subsequently installed phishing malware on their systems. WannaCry virus was linked to a stolen cyber device known as EternalBlue.

 

Several clients (including the NHS) had not implemented updates for Microsoft's vulnerability, leaving them open to WannaCry's rampage, according to investigations.

 

2. eBay: The 229 Days Cyber Attack

 

In 2014, eBay was the victim of a targeted phishing attempt that resulted in the theft of sensitive information from over 100 employees. After then, the data was utilized to obtain entrance to eBay's company's network. 

 

After infiltrating the network, the hackers were able to steal the identities, passwords, email accounts, location data, and other personal information of over 145 million clients. The attackers are likely to have remained unnoticed for 229 days, with unrestricted access to eBay's servers. 

 

A rogue certification had been inserted by the hackers, enabling them to mask intrusions in encrypted communications.

 

3. TalkTalk: Missing the Fundamentals

 

Nearly 157,000 TalkTalk subscribers' personal information was compromised in October 2015. A total of 15,656 consumers' bank account information and sort codes were exposed, resulting in fraudulent transactions on their balances. 

 

Three insecure web pages inside TalkTalk's inherited architecture on their site were used by the hackers to get access to the files. 

 

TalkTalk's infrastructure was not thoroughly inspected for any threats, causing them to be uninformed of the susceptible sites and, as a result, oblivious to the fact that these pages allowed access to a database containing private client information.

 

To attack TalkTalk's weaknesses, the hackers utilized a method known as SQLi (SQL injection).  They had administration rights of TalkTalk's web software's database server after the destructive SQL injections attack.

 

Also Read | What is Cloud Security?

 

It's obvious that perhaps the human aspect is the biggest liability in cyber security, and if your workers can't really make an informed and rational decision over something as basic as to which networking to join to or which mail attach to open, you're vulnerable to a potentially catastrophic cyber-attack. 

 

Your company's cyber security is only as good as its weakest employee, therefore it's up to you to foster an uncertain workplace environment that emphasises cyber security knowledge.