The Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats Every Company Should Be Aware Of
Social Engineering
Social engineering attacks are often difficult to detect, so training employees to spot red flags is important. For example, if an employee receives a phishing email, they should always check the company’s website or previous statements before giving out personal information. They should also use a spam filter to stop phishing exploits before they reach internal servers. Having an endpoint protection system that blocks the latest malware is also a good idea. Hackers often use human psychology to gain access to systems and buildings. This means that more than a company’s technology solutions may be needed to protect the company’s critical resources. Most hackers have used various ways to steal and manipulate essential company files. Therefore, knowing the latest cybersecurity terms and acronyms and how to avoid them is beneficial for every industry.
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks are a cybercrime in which an attacker intercepts communications between a client and server, often using malware. As a result, critical information is intercepted, including usernames and passwords. This attack can run undetected for days while end-users continue to do business. Detecting this type of attack is not a simple task and requires extensive forensic post-analysis. This attack is usually carried out using public Wi-Fi networks, which are less secure than private ones. An attacker can compromise the internet router and use its vulnerabilities to intercept and decrypt client data. Most commonly, this type of attack is used to gain access to financial websites and other sites requiring logins and public keys.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks are malware that infects computers by tricking users into providing sensitive information. These attacks are often carried out by websites that look like legitimate companies. Once victims click on the link to open the phishing site, they are redirected to an unsecured site that steals sensitive information. Phishing attacks are an ongoing and evolving threat to businesses. The most common type of phishing attack involves social networking sites and email.
Botnets
Botnets are one of the most dangerous cyber security threats a company can face. These malicious bots can take control of your company’s digital infrastructure and send millions of spam emails or malware attacks. They can even coordinate DDoS attacks. Therefore, companies need to protect their company’s digital infrastructure by installing antivirus software on employee-owned devices. Botnets can be categorized into two main types. PC botnets and Internet of Things botnets. Internet-connected devices (IoT) botnets are composed of devices that are connected to the internet but lack a strong security solution. Because of this, hackers can use these devices for a wide range of malicious purposes and cannot trace their origin.
Data Exfiltration
Data exfiltration is one of the most common cyber security threats that companies should take seriously. According to the FBI’s 2020 Internet Crime Report, there are nearly 1,017 successful cyber attacks per day, and this crime costs billions of dollars per year. This type of crime targets small and medium-sized businesses in particular. It can take many forms, ranging from malware and phishing to shady websites and network breaches. Prevention is the key to protecting your company from data exfiltration. Data exfiltration is one of the most difficult threats to combat and requires a layered approach. Many companies rely on a combination of technology, policies, and trust to address the issue.
Read more: How to Start Online IT Company in Dubai