The advancement of technology, especially the internet, has made work easier and broke down communication boundaries worldwide. However, technology also mobile application security open the door to various cyber risks that can harm many people, including business owners.
In the corporate realm, cybercrime can be system penetration, dissemination of false information, or theft of personal data. To combat it, companies must strengthen their cyber security.
In this post, we will look at the concept of cyber security, its benefits, implementation, ways to improve it, and the different sorts of cybercrime.
What is Cyber Security?
Cyber security protects computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. Individuals and businesses use this security measure to prevent unauthorized access to data centers and electronic systems.
A good cyber security strategy can defend against cyber assaults that attempt to access, alter, delete, destroy, or extort an organization’s or user’s systems and sensitive data. Cyber security is also critical for anticipating threats that aim to disable or disrupt a system’s or device’s operations.
Types of Cyber Crime
Before delving deeper into cyber security, you must understand the various kinds of cybercrime that can harm your business.
1. Advanced persistent threats (APT)
APT is a targeted and sustained attack that infiltrates a network with the intent of stealing data while remaining undetected for an extended time.
2. Cyberstalking
These crimes involve online harassment, mainly through social media, websites, or search engines, to intimidate users and instill fear. As a result, users become anxious and worried about their safety.
3. Denial-of-service (DoS) attack
DoS attacks are designed to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users. For instance, they are making a user enter the wrong password multiple times until the victim’s account is locked, or overloading the machine or network beyond its maximum capacity and blocking all users at once.
Although a network attack from a single IP address can be blocked by adding a new firewall, there is still the possibility of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, i.e. attacks that arise from multiple sources, making dealing with them more difficult.
These attacks can come from the zombie computers of a botnet or from a range of other possible techniques, including reflection and amplification attacks, where innocent systems are tricked into sending traffic to the victim.
4. Direct-access attack
Unauthorized users who have physical access to the computer can usually copy data from there. They can also compromise security by modifying the operating system, installing software worms, keyloggers, eavesdropping devices, or using wireless microphones.
5. Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping is the activity of secretly listening to a private computer “conversation” (communication). Even machines that operate as closed systems, which have no contact with the outside world, can also be exposed to eavesdropping by monitoring of faint electromagnetic transmissions from hardware.
6. Malware
Malware or malicious software can cause harm to computer users by revealing personal information, granting attackers control of the machine, and permanently erasing data. Some types of malware include viruses, worms, Trojan viruses, spyware, adware, ransomware, and fileless malware.
7. Privilege escalation
Privilege escalation is a situation when an attacker, who has limited access, elevates their privileges or access level without authorization. For example, a standard computer user may exploit a vulnerability in the system to gain access to confidential data or even become “root” and have full unrestricted access to a system.
8. Side-channel attack
All computational systems influence the surrounding environment, such as electromagnetic radiation, residual effects from RAM cells, and hardware implementation errors that allow for access and guessing of other values that normally should be inaccessible. In a side-channel attack, the attacker will collect information about the system or network to guess its internal state and then access it.
9. Social engineering
Social engineering is an attack that relies on human interaction to trick users into providing sensitive information, such as passwords and card numbers, or physical access, for example, by impersonating a bank employee, contractor, or customer.
10. Spoofing
Spoofing is the act of impersonating a legitimate entity through the falsification of data, such as an IP address or username, to gain access to restricted information or resources. Several types of spoofing include email spoofing, IP address spoofing, MAC spoofing, and biometric spoofing.
Website spoofing is another common type of spoofing, which involves creating a fake website that looks like a legitimate one to trick users into giving away sensitive information.
11. Phishing
Phishing is an attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, directly from users by deceptive means. These crimes are usually in the form of spoofing emails or instant messages that direct users to fill in details on a fake website that is very similar to the original website. F
ake websites ask for personal information, such as login details, and then this information is used to access the victim’s real account on the actual website.
Also read: Things You Need to Know about Internet of Things (IoT)
The Implementation of Cyber Security
To protect your systems entirely, you’ll need to pull from a list of cyber security tools and use them across your network. However, you’ll also have to use the right tools for the right category. The application of cyber security can be divided into several categories, namely:
1. Network security
The protection of network infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, and theft is called network security. It combines multiple layers of defenses at the edge and within the network. Each of these layers implements policies and controls. Authorized users can access network resources, while criminals are blocked from carrying out exploits and threats.
2. Application Security
Application security refers to security measures that prevent theft and modification of data or code within applications. It includes not only protection during development and design but after deployment as well. Different types of application security include KYC authentication, authorization, encryption, logging, and application security testing.
3. Cloud security
Online-based infrastructure, applications, and platforms are all protected by cloud security, consisting of a set of technology, protocols, and practices. Cloud security functions to recover lost data, guard storage and networks against data theft, decrease human errors or omissions that might lead to data leaks, and reduce the impact of data or system disturbances.
For businesses that adopt significant resources of this kind, choosing to perform a cloud risk assessment is the best option for singling out any vulnerabilities and assessing the effectiveness of any security measures that have been put in place. An approach which both implements cloud protections and audits their impact is necessary when relying on any third party infrastructural elements.
The Benefits of Cyber Security
Using cyber security protects businesses from numerous cyber threats. In addition, cyber security prevents unauthorized user access, monitors data and networks to keep them safe, protects users and devices used, complies with applicable regulations, supports business continuity, and maintains company reputation and client trust.
How to Improve Cyber Security
If you are already aware of the significance of cyber security, then how to apply it in everyday life? Here are simple methods to strengthen your personal and organizational cyber security.
1. Recognize that anyone can be a victim of cyber crime
Never believe that you are safe without cyber security because, in reality, cyber crime is closely related to everyday life. Everyone who uses software or hardware is vulnerable to cyber criminals. Cyber crime can jeopardize both personal and corporate safety.
2. Keep software up to date
It is essential to install software updates for programs and operating systems regularly. You can enable automatic updates to your operating system, applications, as well as web browsers, including Chrome and Chrome alternatives, and their plug-ins. By doing regular updates, you will get the latest security patch.
3. Use antivirus as one of the defenses in cyber security
Antivirus software detects and removes dangers. Today’s antivirus software comes with a variety of functions and benefits. You can select the software that best meets your requirements.
4. Use unique passwords to boost cyber security
Make sure that the password you use is not easily guessable by others. You can use a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and punctuation.
5. Be careful with suspicious emails
Email, in addition to phone numbers, is a common form of identification. As a result, attackers can easily send malware to your email. Therefore, never click on links or open attachments from senders you don’t know.
6. Minimize the use of public WiFi to strengthen cyber security
Public networks are generally free and do not require a password, but they are not secure and expose your device to cyber threats. It is preferable to use mobile data or at least a secure VPN connection while using public WiFi.
7. Do not leave electronic devices unattended
In addition to technical security, you must also maintain physical security. When you have to leave an electronic device somewhere, it’s better to lock it or turn it off. When you store data on a flash drive or external hard drive, make sure it is encrypted and locked.
8. Educate employees on cyber security
Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility. For the safety of data and shared systems, all personnel in a company must be aware of cyber consulting security. To this end, all employees must receive appropriate training.
9. Perform a risk assessment to improve cyber security
Many threats and risks can compromise the security of a company’s network, systems, and information. Therefore, identification and analysis of possible threats can help you to formulate a security plan.
You can start by checking where and how the data is stored and who has access. After that, identify who might want the data and how to get it. Then, determine the level of risk from various possible incidents and analyze the impact of the violation on the company.
Once you get the information from the analysis, you can fine-tune your security strategy. Don’t forget to review and revise the security strategy regularly to keep pace with the development of cyber crime. In addition, implementing cyber security strategy can be costly, so use HashMicro’s Accounting Software to stay on budget.
Related article: OTP Is a Critical Secret Code for Businesses; Here’s How to Protect It
Conclusion
Cyber crime has many forms and can attack anyone. Therefore, you must improve cyber security to maintain data security.
If you want to simplify your business processes by using ERP software but are afraid of cyber crime through software, you don’t need to worry. ERP Software from HashMicro uses the best database management system to ensure data security and performance that can be used by many users at the same time. Get started today – Try the free demo for yourself now!
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