Top Cyber security Threats Every Company Should Know
The Internet has made global communication easier than ever, but it also created more opportunities for hackers to steal sensitive data from both consumers and businesses alike. It’s always been important to keep your information safe, but now it’s even more crucial if you want to avoid becoming the victim of a cyber attack. Companies have an increasingly digital threat landscape to deal with when it comes to cyber security threats.
The world of cyber security has been on fire in the past few years with sophisticated cyber threats, and the year 2021 was one of the most oppressed to cyber attacks. According to studies, companies faced 50% more assaults each week in 2021 than in 2020. And it is likely to be more active in coming years. Every day, it is believed that 40,000 websites are hacked. In reality, a corporation is hit by a cyber attack every 29 seconds, and more than 60% of businesses worldwide have been hit by at least one type of malware.
Thus, a company’s cyber security system needs to adapt in order to meet new challenges that arise every day. To protect your business from cyber threats, you first need to understand what the most common risks are and how they can affect your company. From there, you can put into place some protective measures to help defend against these common cyber security threats.
Here are some of the most dangerous top cyber security threats that every company should know about before they strike.
Security Breaches
According to a recent survey from PwC, 74% of companies experienced a security breaches cyber attack in 2020. If you’re one of them, you’re probably wondering if your company is doing enough to protect itself from future attacks. You might be surprised to find out that there’s no 100% perfect solution for keeping your information safe, but there are solutions available that can help you reduce it to the most extent. Cyber security threats pose one of today’s top business risks even when we assume our businesses are safe and secure online. Whether it’s theft of intellectual property or massive database leaks, everything boils down to some combination of prevention, detection, and damage control.
Since no company is immune to security threats (and new attacks are being created every day), it’s up to all businesses, large and small, to constantly keep their defenses up-to-date. Make sure you’re aware of some of these top cyber security threats every company should know about so that your systems stay protected from outside hackers as well as internal threats. For example, some people have access to data they shouldn’t because they don’t realize what information is confidential.
Read : How does the perimeter intrusion detection system work?
Ransomware
One of the top cyber security threats you should know about is ransomware, where hackers hold your data hostage in exchange for a ransom payment. This has become a profitable way for hackers to earn money through illicit means. Ransomware attacks are one of many ways your data can be breached and are often considered to be low-risk for companies because there’s no payoff for paying it. However, if you’re ever faced with such an attack on your company’s system, do not pay! Not only will you be rewarding these criminals for their malicious behavior, but paying them may also encourage them to continue attacking other businesses. Instead, report any instances of ransomware as soon as possible so that law enforcement can take appropriate action against those responsible.
Data Stealing Trojans
The proliferation of malware and other forms of data-stealing Trojans has meant that companies must not only worry about hackers but also keep an eye on their own employees. With personal information selling for high prices on dark web markets, many cyber criminals are willing to go to extreme lengths to obtain what they want. When it comes to cyber security threats for the company, data-stealing Trojans are one of the most dangerous things you’ll have to protect against.
Mobile Malware
Apps are a great way to stay connected and also one of the most cardinal point for hackers to steal your company details, hence you have to be careful about which ones you download. Most of the apps could actually come with malicious code in tow so before downloading, always look for an About page that shows who created it and when. If you can’t find one, look up reviews online. A reputable app maker should have good reviews; steer clear of anything else. Also, make sure your phone is updated with all available security patches that include both your operating system and any apps. The more recent your software is, the better protected you are against mobile malware.
Phishing Attacks
People will often link to an outside source in their email without thinking about it. Phishing attacks prey on that behavior, by presenting fake websites or emails that appear legitimate and can trick people into giving up sensitive information. If a phishing attack hits your inbox, go ahead and report it to your IT department, so they can take care of things. But if you’re curious about how to avoid these attacks yourself, here are some tips: Never click on links from unsolicited emails; never give out personal information (like passwords) over email; always check URLs before entering any information; use antivirus software. When in doubt, throw it out!
Denial of Service Attacks
A denial of service attack, or DDoS attack for short, is a malicious attempt to cripple or shut down your company’s systems by overloading them with data requests. DDoS occurs when an attacker uses more bandwidth than an organization’s network can handle, overwhelming it with data, and most DDoS attacks are carried out using infected zombie computers that attackers control remotely. The goal of these attacks is usually to deny legitimate users access to their servers and information. One way a company can protect itself from these kinds of attacks is by placing so-called distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection services between its network and website and network traffic traveling outside it. Some experts estimate that within a year, DDoS attacks will be 60 times larger than they are today.
Spyware
Another top cyber security threat for a company is spyware. It’s a common form of malware that tracks everything you do online, stealing information from your computer as you browse, click and type. Even when you’re not connected to the Internet, spyware can be collecting data in an effort to later steal information via network connections. A good way to protect against spyware is to download security software that keeps tabs on your computer without slowing it down too much. While antivirus software has its benefits, some cyber attacks have been able to slip through security scans by using certain methods and tactics; by adding extra layers of defense with other types of protection software, it makes it tougher for hackers.
The vast majority of cyber attacks come through email, so if you see something suspicious, just delete it. The same goes for emails that contain excessive exclamation points and ALL CAPS, these are telltale signs of spam.
Cloud Computing Vulnerabilities
Hackers are constantly looking for new ways to get into your network and breach security. While cloud computing does offer many benefits, it can also lead to vulnerabilities if you’re not careful about how you use it. One of the most pressing cyber security threats for companies is a data breach caused by an online cloud computing vulnerability. These vulnerable applications can range from simple data entry programs to webmail software.
A company’s lack of knowledge regarding these security flaws could prove costly in terms of damaged customer relationships and lost revenue due to a damaged reputation. Companies must be able to identify vulnerabilities in their own software as well as anticipate potential issues with third-party applications they rely on, such as payroll and tax management solutions. If they fail to do so, they run a significant risk of failing to meet both compliance standards and public expectations for the protection of sensitive personal information.
Vulnerabilities in Software Programs
Another important cyber security threat is vulnerabilities in software programs. These vulnerabilities can allow hackers to remotely access and control your system, causing it to crash, steal data or gain information that puts other systems at risk. It’s crucial to take action when you find a vulnerability because if you wait too long, someone else might discover it and take advantage of it before you do. You should notify any vendors whose products are affected by these bugs as soon as possible, so they can fix them quickly. You should also perform an audit on all of your systems and identify any potential security issues.
Software updates are another good way to keep everything secure, ensure that all of your devices have automatic updates enabled, so they download new versions of their operating systems automatically whenever they become available. You may need to restart some devices after each update but that shouldn’t be a problem as long as you don’t turn off automatic updates entirely.
How Can Usercare Help Your Business with cyber security threats?
Usercare offers a unified security solution to protect you from cyber threats and other security concerns. They offer end-to-end threat detection and prevention against cyber attacks and have created next-generation cyber security tools and solutions with particular attack vectors in mind to assist businesses in avoiding different attack scenarios.
All of their solutions are integrated into a unified dashboard and work in tandem to provide an enhanced Endpoint Prevention, Detection, and Response solution that combines DNS filtering, Automated Patch Management, next-generation Antivirus, Privileged access management, Email security, and Ransomware Encryption Protection. Having a full picture of your surroundings in a single interface can significantly improve your cyber security and reduce the attack surface. Get in contact with Usercare today for more details.