Has your business been a victim of cyberattacks? If so, you shouldn’t hesitate to implement cybersecurity measures to prevent your company from becoming a target.
Cybersecurity refers to the implementation of different security measures for protecting cloud systems, networks, computer systems, personal information, etc. The main aim of cyberattacks is to steal personal data in the form of social security numbers, passwords, credit card data, and other sensitive information. Other reasons behind hacker attacks include business extortion, service disruption, and making a political statement.
Finding an IT security partner to outsource your cybersecurity services is essential for businesses looking to safeguard their information.
Here is everything you need to know about cybersecurity services and threats.
Types of cybersecurity attacks
Cyberattacks occur when a person or an organization tries to violate the IT systems of another organization or individual. The most common reasons behind such attacks are data destruction, ransom, political activism, etc. Malware is among the most common cybersecurity threats, including viruses, spyware, and worms. Check out these seven signs of having malware and some tips for getting rid of it.
The presence of malicious files inside computer systems can prevent access to critical network components, cause disruption to the system, and collect data by retrieving it from their hard drives. For instance, viruses infect applications by getting attached to programs, replicating themselves, and infecting other computer system codes.
In contrast, Trojan is a form of malicious code that fails to reproduce, but it’s masked as a type of program a person would usually install. Worms, as opposed to viruses, fail to attack the host and usually get installed via email attachments by delivering copies of them to each email list contact on the infected computer.
Ransomware, on the other hand, is a malware type that denies victim data access, threatening to delete or publish the data unless victims pay the ransom. Advanced ransomware makes use of crypto viral extortion by encrypting the data of the victim, which cannot be decrypted without the help of the key for decryption. Conversely, spyware, as the name implies, is a program type installed for the purpose of collecting user information related to their systems and browsing habits.
Phishing attacks have become incredibly common, and these are executed by sending a large number of emails with fraudulent content to users and asking them to click on a fake link to provide sensitive information. Fortunately, there are cyber security services that protect businesses from such attacks. Fraudulent emails are disguised as if they are coming from a trustworthy source. These sources appear reliable and legitimate by being disguised as reliable software programs like Apple or Microsoft Office.
Moreover, the senders of these malicious emails usually require recipients to click on a link and type in their passwords in order for them to steal the provided passwords and hack their accounts. There are different phishing attack types, including spear phishing, whaling, and pharming. Spear phishing attacks are directed at specific individuals and companies, while whaling attacks are aimed at senior stakeholders and executives.
Conversely, pharming attacks use fake log-in landing pages to get user credentials. These can even take place via text messages or phone calls. Man-in-the-middle attacks are executed by a program that’s placed between the victim of the attack and the entity trying to be accessed by the victim. Additionally, the victim is under the impression that the provided information is being delivered to a legitimate destination.
Password attacks are another common cybersecurity threat, providing attackers with access to a person’s password and letting them gain entry to confidential data. Password attackers take advantage of numerous methods to identify a password, such as social engineering, accessing password databases, guessing, etc.
Drive-by downloads are considered among the most dangerous cyberattacks, as these occur not because of any user input or error. These can happen without the user suspecting or knowing anything. Drive-by downloads are picked up accidentally from a webpage when the user visits it. Consequently, the program gets implanted into their system without their knowledge. This URL, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive-by_download, provides insight into the drive-by download process.
Types of cybersecurity services
MSPs offer cybersecurity consulting services and solutions for businesses of different sizes. Businesses should have no concerns when it comes to cyberattacks. Therefore, experienced cybersecurity consultants strive to protect the data of businesses and ensure they meet the necessary compliance requirements.
An important cybersecurity service provided by MSPs is an assessment of cybersecurity risk, which offers businesses a detailed look at their existing security posture. IT security professionals detect all the assets that can be affected by a cyberattack, analyze the risks associated with every element, and determine the elements that require the most protection.
Moreover, MSPs provide phishing prevention training to employees. The largest part of security incidents commences with a phishing attack directed at staff members. Therefore, reputable IT security specialists provide anti-phishing training programs for the purpose of making employees more skilled at recognizing, blocking, and reporting such attacks. These training programs are usually performed over a period of twelve months to improve the skills and knowledge of employees gradually.
Another effective solution for safeguarding your business against cyberattacks is vulnerability scanning and remediation. IT security experts scan networks looking for vulnerabilities, which are the most targeted by hackers. Such vulnerabilities usually include insecure settings and missing security patches. After detecting the vulnerabilities in your system, they analyze the findings and address the loopholes before attackers take advantage of them. This website reveals the vulnerabilities in information security.
Multi-factor authentication has become indispensable for protecting businesses against cyberattacks. Passwords aren’t considered sufficient to shield companies against cyberattacks and data breaches. This form of authentication protects online information by ensuring only verified users gain access to business applications and services.
Another beneficial service for safeguarding businesses is intrusion detection and response. Your network will be continuously monitored for signs of cyberattacks before them even happening. IDR solutions include an automated threat detection system, skilled IT security experts who review these threats, and remediation occurring in real-time without causing any business interruptions. These systems are considered a must for companies.
Endpoint detection and response is another IT security solution that goes in favor of all companies. While anti-virus software provides protection from the least complicated cyberattacks, they fail to protect businesses against more sophisticated hacking techniques.
EDR solutions use remarkable artificial intelligence to prevent hacking experts in their actions, even when a company’s devices aren’t part of the firewall. There is also a 24/7 security operations center that performs further analysis of undetected threats.
A virtual chief information security officer is recommended to all businesses who require the help of security experts whenever necessary, not full-time. Some companies cannot afford or simply don’t need a full-time IT security resource.
As already mentioned, employees should be made more aware of cybersecurity threats, as they are the first line of defense. Many sorts of security issues can be prevented by users themselves. Besides anti-phishing training, MSPs also provide training programs in password creation, device security, physical security, etc.
A final note
Make sure your business becomes proactive about IT security, regardless of how small or large it is!