The internet is undoubtedly one of the most significant inventions of the past century. It has revolutionized many facets of life including education, medicine, business, and more. It also has a profound impact on how the world communicates. While for the most part internet has brought the world together, it has also exposed us to dangerous digital threats.
According to statistics, by 2025 cybercrime will be responsible for $10.5 trillion in damages. These statistics also show that nearly 71.7 million people become cybercrime victims yearly whereas on average organizations experience 130 security breaches yearly. The key to successfully incorporating the internet into your life is learning how to protect yourself against these threats. We can help with this. Here is the complete guide to cybersecurity.
The Biggest Cybersecurity threats
From malware and phishing to DDoS attacks, organizations and individuals face several major cybersecurity struggles today. Here are some of the most significant cybersecurity threats:
Ransomware
Ransomware is nothing but malware that infects your devices. It encrypts a victim’s files and steals personal and professional information. Cybercriminals then demand payment in exchange for the decryption key or stolen information.
One of the best ways you can protect your devices from malware is by investing in good antivirus software. Antivirus programs do not just prevent harm caused by viruses, they also detect if there are any viruses present on your computer and get rid of them in time. Wave Broadband realizes the importance of antivirus software. They offer multiple security solutions to choose from. You can get in touch with Wave Broadband customer service to learn more.
Phishing
Phishing is a tactic used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into giving away personal information or login credentials through fake emails or websites. Phishing emails can be deceivingly authentic but there are a few tells that can help you identify a phishing email. Here are a few:
- The domain name is misspelled
- The email you receive is sent from a public domain
- The email is ridden with grammatical errors and is poorly written
- The email has suspicious links or attachments
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
These sophisticated attacks target specific organizations and are designed to steal highly sensitive information over an extended period. These specially designed campaigns may have individuals or even groups of hackers behind them.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
These attacks overwhelm a website or network with traffic from multiple sources, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
Social Engineering
This is the manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging sensitive information, often through phishing or pretexting. Social engineering attacks usually involve a human element and may include psychological manipulation of individuals, which makes it highly damaging.
IoT Security
Internet of Things (IoT) devices are becoming more common as smart homes are becoming the norm. Smart Devices are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals.
Cloud Security
As more organizations move their data and applications to the cloud, they need to ensure that their sensitive information is secure as the cloud is not completely secure. Even though it is safer than local storage, cloud storage can still be hacked.
Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) security
As AI and ML are increasingly used in various industries, the security of these technologies become a major concern, as they could be manipulated or used by cyber attackers.
Supply Chain attacks
Cyber attackers are increasingly targeting the suppliers of organizations to gain access to their networks and steal sensitive data.
Cyber Espionage
It is the use of cyber means to collect sensitive information from governments, companies, and individuals for strategic or economic advantage.
How to Navigate the Internet Safely
Here are a few steps you can take to browse the internet safely:
- Use a reputable web browser and keep it updated.
- Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your data from potential hacking attempts.
- Invest in a good antivirus program and keep it updated. Wave Broadband offers some great security solutions for you to explore. You can click here to learn more about them.
- Be wary of suspicious emails and links, and do not click on attachments that you do not recognize.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts, and avoid using public Wi-Fi networks.
- Be aware of phishing scams and be cautious of giving out personal information online.
- Use two-factor authentication on all social media platforms and apps.
- Keep all your software, browsers, and operating systems up to date with the latest security protocols.
- Be mindful of the sites you are visiting on the internet and the files and attachments you are downloading. Pop-ups from unsecured websites or suspicious links in phishing emails can be riddled with viruses and malware that can harm your device.
- Use browser extensions such as ad-blockers, anti-tracking, anti-phishing, and anti-malware tools. This is important as interacting with pop-ups can have viruses that harm your device or steal your information.
Setting a Strong Password
Most people do not take setting a password as seriously as they should. Think about it this way, your login credentials serve as the first line of defense against cyberattacks. If your password is weak and easy to guess, you are prone to hacking attempts and other forms of cybercrimes. Here are a few ways you can set a stronger password
- Your password should be at least 12 characters long
- It should contain a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters
- Do not set personal information like birthdates, spouse’s names, or children’s names as passwords.
- Do not use common phrases like ‘password’ as your password.
- Use a password manager to store all your passwords. Do not write down your passwords on notes where anybody can see them.
- Change your passwords every couple of months.
There You Go!
The internet offers many opportunities to grow, learn, and communicate. If used carefully, you can do wonders with the internet. Do not let all this information about potential threats it caused scare you. As long as you are using it carefully, you are good to go!
