As technology continues to advance, cyberattacks have become a major and ongoing threat, not only to individuals but most importantly, to businesses and organizations around the globe. As a response, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly significant and, therefore, presence in our daily life.
Lately, cybersecurity generates many headlines, we learn about new cyberattacks almost every day, and how they can affect individuals, disrupt, damage and even destroy businesses. But, do we really have an understanding of how this new tech-age works, and how many risks we are exposed to?
Chances that we are not aware are high, but not knowing doesn’t prevent us from being safe from a cyberattack. Our BlueDataSec team would like to briefly explain the most common types of cyberattacks along with real scenarios so that you can understand the importance of securing your business.
Common types of cyberattacks and techniques used by cybercriminals
Cybersecurity is today more important than ever due to the increasing volume of cyberattacks used by cybercriminals to obtain confidential information or cause damage to individuals and businesses. The security of your company may be at risk if your network is not designed and implemented with an efficient and advanced security system. These common cyber threats could put your business at risk:
- Phishing – a tactic where cyber criminals use different techniques to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials to your bank account or social networks, amongst others; or personal data, as your ID number or credit card.
- DDoS – attempts to crash a computer system (website, DMZ servers, or network, amongst others). If successful, a DDoS attack can damage enterprises and small businesses, by causing data loss, and money loss.
- Zero-Day Exploits – this technique is used to leverage the vulnerability of an unknown or unaddressed security flaw in computer software, hardware or firmware to attack a system. As a result of it, the corporate network gets exposed to other threats.
- Ransomware – is a type of malicious software that encrypts and prevents from accessing an individual’s data or device and threatens to keep it encrypted — or worse —unless the victim pays a ransom to the attacker.
- Social Engineering – a technique aims to manipulate people into doing things they shouldn’t do, like sharing confidential information on unauthorized access to the network or even wire transfers
In the age of digital technology, it is important to be aware of the growing number of cyber- attacks, in order to protect our personal data and privacy by taking cyber security measures to prevent risks or even cyber-attacks.
What is the purpose of cyber-attacks?
- Entertainment– as many of these threats come from youth looking to have some fun regardless of the consequences.
- Revenge – internal or former employees who act vindictively and try to damage the company by any means.
- Money – Most complex cyber-attacks are usually financially motivated. Cyber Crime entails large amount of money on a daily basis throughout the world
How to protect yourself against cybercrime techniques?
Prevention is key in order to avoid being cyber attacked, at BlueDataSec we recommend some strategies:
- Distrust of any unusual information that comes from unknown sources, and most importantly, do not click on the malicious link or open the suspicious email.
- Train and raise awareness among employees about the importance of cyber security.
- Build a strong cyber security foundation :
- Hardening your network with a Firewall
- By implementing Endpoint Detection and Response antivirus (EDR) on servers and end user computers – PCs, laptops, mobile tablets -.
- Perform backups on a regular basis and keep them isolated from the network of users whose access is highly restricted.
Businesses that have been victims of cyberattacks
We can see almost every day new cyberattack cases that jeopardize companies or public institutions, as recognized and prestigious as:
- Phone House Spain: washit by the ‘Babuk’ ransomware. The instigators of the attack claimed to have obtained the entire customer database, but since the company assured that no ransom was paid to the cybercriminals, the instigators assured they have published personal data on the dark web of 13 million customers who were on the company’s database.
- Congress of the Deputies of Spain: through a DDoS attack, cyber attackers managed to leave the website of the Congress of Deputies inactive for more than 45 minutes.
- Iberdrola: the company confirmed the attack in which customers’ personal data were leaked, but it didn’t specify the type of attack used by the cyber attackers.
As you can see, even large corporations have suffered different types of cyberattacks. But some of them could have been avoided, should the companies had anticipated them, taking the necessary cybersecurity measures.
Is there any way to achieve 100% protection?
In short, – and unfortunately , no. However, 95% of the risks can be easily avoided, by using prevention techniques, security policies and tools, such as firewalls and antivirus.
At 
, we encourage you to stay posted and contact us, we are committed to providing the best networking solutions around your business at competitive prices, because cybersecurity is important for all, whether you are a medium-sized enterprise, a small business or an individual looking to safeguard your digital live.