Introduction

Since the beginning of IT era our dependence on the technology has increased manifolds. The technology has made our lives easier and we possess almost all the knowledge of mankind through the internet that we can access through our mobile devices.

However, this advancement in technology has also paved the way for cybercriminals to abuse the very same technology in order to cause harm to others.

Monetary loss is the most common type of harm that cybercriminals cause to others, it can also lead to blackmailing and extortion in severe cases.

Therefore, cybersecurity industry is on the rise these days, and it will stay the same, as long as we do not stop using technology.

Importance of knowing about Cybersecurity Threats

Cyber security is the method of protecting computer networks and systems from digital attacks. These attacks can come from viruses, malware, phishing scams, and more. And as our lives become increasingly connected, the stakes are higher than ever.

A cyber security attack can have serious consequences, including financial losses, data breaches, and even physical damage. That is why taking steps for cyber security protection for yourself, your family, and your business is essential.

Simple things like boosting your cyber security, keeping your software up to date, using strong passwords, and being careful about what you click on, can help you protect your data from the cybercriminals.

Cyber Security Threats

Anything that threatens our electronic infrastructure and computer networks can be called as cyber security threat.

It can include anything from viruses and malware to cyber-attacks and system vulnerabilities.

To protect our online assets and understand what a threat in cyber security is, it is essential to understand the different types of cyber security threats and vulnerabilities.

Here we have compiled a list of top 10 most common cybersecurity threats today.

1) Malware

Dangerous codes that are not recognizable by the business system security are called malwares.

Malwares are one of the biggest types of computer threats companies face today, and, unfortunately, it comes in all shapes and forms. These malicious codes are typically activated when users click on links, open attachments, or download files.

Some of the types of malware include:

• Computer viruses
• Trojans
• Worms
• Spyware
• Ransomware
• Bots/botnets

2) Ransomware

It is a type of malware that has grown over the years, and deserves special recognition.

It is one of the biggest types of cyber security threats out there, businesses of all sizes need to understand the severity of it.

Cybercriminals who successfully insert ransomware into your business gain the power to lock your systems and prevent you from accessing them without paying a large payment.

Even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your files back—the FBI explicitly states organizations should not pay ransoms.

3) Social Engineering

It is the art of exploiting human psychology to gain access to data, systems, and even physical buildings.

Cybercriminals do the following types of actions, for it to be considered social engineering.

• Phishing, smishing, or vishing
• Impersonating a trusted individual/entity (either online or offline)
• Getting friendly with employees in hopes of gaining their trust
• Snooping on computer screens/keyboards to get login information

Social engineers are very skilled at what they do, which is why it’s one of the top 10 cyber security threats.

They exploit human qualities such as greed, curiosity, trust, deference to authority, politeness, and temptation. Other times, threat actors will use emotions, such as fear or urgency, to get people to act without thinking.

4) Phishing

It is a type of social engineering where cybercriminals attack along with related techniques, smishing (SMS), and vishing (phone), are designed to get people to give up confidential information.

Criminals might seek login information, account numbers, or other sensitive data and trick people into opening links or downloading malicious attachments which then insert malicious code, often spreading.

5) Zero-Day Threats

It is rare for the systems to not have a security flaw, the cybercriminals make use of it whenever it surfaces and try to exploit it to their advantage.

6) Internal threats

Greedy motives by anyone associated with the organization, or even honest mistakes of exposing data can fall into the category of internal threats.

Human error is also part of this list of top cybersecurity threats.

7) Emotet

Emotet persists in being “among the most costly and destructive” of malware, making it one of the biggest cyber security threats.

Essentially, it is a banking trojan that tricks antivirus software since it looks legitimate. Once it gains internal access, it drops malware which then spreads.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals these days are deploying Emotet malware and are moving beyond banks to other businesses and government agencies.

8) Denial of Service / Distributed Denial of Service

They are cyber-attacks that overwhelm either a singular computer or an entire network to the point it cannot respond to requests. Popular types of DoS attacks include botnets. DDoS attacks come from multiple sources.

With either attack, the system freezes and it tries to respond to requests, but it is overwhelmed. In a business environment, a DoS attack can halt operations entirely.

9) Man in the Middle

These cybersecurity threats are assaults that enable the cybercriminal to eavesdrop on private conversations.

However, one of the most common ways hackers infiltrate themselves is by snooping on unprotected networks.

Once inside, the threat actor gains free access to either party’s software applications and can insert malware or otherwise gain access to sensitive information.

If they are able to get in without being noticed, they can simply take private data as they wish.

10) Cloud Vulnerability

Cloud computing has been a game-changer that has empowered SMBs to play alongside the big companies. However, with all the benefits of the cloud, it does provide an attractive playground for cybercriminals.

Prevention of Cyber Security Threats

Here is an overall list of preventive measures that will protect you from the above-mentioned cyber threats:

• Use reputable antivirus/antimalware software and keep it up to date.
• Be cautious of unsolicited emails and phone calls don’t click on links or give out personal information unless you are 100% sure of the source.
• Use a firewall and limit incoming connections to known IP addresses if possible.
• Keep your software up to date, and only download programs from trusted sources.
• Use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Also, never reuse passwords across different accounts, and use a password manager to help keep track of them.
• Use SSL/TLS to encrypt your communications. It will ensure that your data is safe from interception by third parties. Additionally, you should be careful about the networks you connect to and only use trusted ones.
• Use a strong encryption method like WPA2 to protect your wireless network. You should also disable any remote management features that are not absolutely necessary, as these can provide attackers with a way to gain access to your network.

Conclusion

We learned about what cyber threats actually mean and why is it important to know about it. Then we took you through a list of top 10 most common cyber threats and their preventive measures.

After going through the common types of cyber threats and their preventive measures, you are much safer than the people who do not possess this information.

We highly recommend you to share this information among all your friends and family members. This way you can gain the maximum benefit from this article.

However, cybersecurity is a vast topic and to know more about it we recommend you to have a look at the list of certifications that we provide at Sprintzeal.

And here is our recommended course for all of you who are planning to pursue cyber security as a career:

• CISSP® - Certified Information System Security Professional