hackers

Top 7 Cybersecurity Risks you should protect yourself from

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Do you feel safe when using technology? Or do you fear that your private data might end up compromised by hackers? Well, if you’re not so sure what cybersecurity threats are out there, keep reading below to learn more about them and how to protect yourself against them.

The Internet has become a scary place lately. As technology is more and more integrated into our day-to-day lives, cybersecurity threats are on the rise as well. Users these days share more data than ever before. And, the worst thing is that most of them are unsuspicious and unaware of what harm this can bring to them if they fail to protect their devices or accounts from hackers.

Cybersecurity threats are real, and they are only growing and becoming more complex by the day. What’s more, they don’t only target businesses and brands, but average individuals as well. What can they do to you? From compromising your devices to wreaking havoc in your finances and privacy by stealing your personal data for suspicious or illegal activities.

What are these cybersecurity threats that you should protect yourself from? Keep reading below to find out the top seven cybersecurity risks you are exposed to and the ways you can protect yourself from them.

1. Computer virus

Computer viruses are among the most common and widespread cybersecurity risk. They can affect everyone who owns a computer, not just big corporations.

These viruses are programs written to negatively impact the way computers operate and are designed to do so without the user, even knowing it or permitting it. Using these viruses, hackers can damage the data you have in your device. They can either delete it or access it and use it in malicious activities.

2. Spyware threats

Source:igscleaner.com

Another common and dangerous cybersecurity risk are spyware threats. Some people would argue that spyware threats are the worst risk out there on the web, especially because they can allow hackers to operate unknowingly.

Spyware threats use programs that allow hackers to monitor users’ online activities. They also allow hackers to install programs on the victims’ devices without their consent and without the user even knowing it. A spyware threat means that hackers get access to your personal information, including your address, name, or bank information.

After stealing all these data, hackers can use your personal or financial information for illegal or other suspicious activities.

3. Botnets

Source:welivesecurity.com

Botnets are a cybersecurity threat that can affect you both directly and indirectly.

The Internet security experts from TechRobot explain, “Botnets are basically a collection of internet-connected devices which hackers infect with malware. These botnets are then sent to users’ devices to infect them and allow hackers access to the device from their end.”

Using botnets, hackers can steal data and identity theft, cause device hijacking or conduct DDoS attacks through their victims’ devices.

4. Phishing

Source:csoonline.com

Did you get an email that contains a link from a person or a company that you don’t know? If yes, don’t open that link because you’ll become a victim of phishing.

Phishing is basically a threat that comes to users in the form of phone calls or emails from fake people or businesses who pretend to be trustworthy and reliable. Obviously, in reality, that’s not the case. The fake person or business reaching out to you is likely conducting a phishing scam and is hoping for you to open the link they send you. Once opened, the link installs viruses in your device, allowing hackers to get access to your data.

Phishers reach out to people with a similar goal in mind: to steal their personal and bank information and use them to wreak havoc in their victims’ privacy and finances.

5. Cloud jacking

If you own a small business, you should also pay attention to cloud jacking attacks. As businesses increasingly rely on cloud computing for their activities, this cybersecurity threat is expected to emerge as one of the most prominent risks.

This threat happens in the form of a code injection either directly to the code or through a third-party library, targeting cloud platforms.

Through cloud jacking, hackers can take control over or modify sensitive files and data that your small business stores in the cloud.

6. Insider threats

Another cybersecurity threat, targeting businesses in particular, is insider threats.

you don’t think that one of your employees or colleagues could betray you? think twice! Data from the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report suggests that 34% of data breaches in a company involve internal actors. And, make no mistake, that doesn’t just mean malicious attacks where in-house people are involved. Insider threats can also mean negligent use of systems and data by employees.

7. Mobile Malware

Source:blog.malwarebytes.com

As more and more Internet users migrate from desktop devices to mobile devices such as their smartphones, the amount of data stored on mobile devices is getting larger by the day. Unsurprisingly, hackers tailored their attacks to where they can now find the greatest amount of data.

Mobile malware is basically malicious software that has been designed to target mobile operating systems specifically.

As all Internet users perform more and more tasks on their smartphones, it’s only a matter of time before mobile malware becomes one of the most common cybersecurity risks, targeting all smartphone users.

Ways to stay safe when surfing the web

  • Create strong and complex passwords for all your accounts.
  • Use different passwords for all your accounts.
  • Install antivirus software on all your devices.
  • Backup all your systems and data.
  • Use two-factor identification for all your accounts.
  • Don’t open links or attachments from unknown or untrusted

5 Cybersecurity Trends for 2020 and How to Keep Up

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In 2020, many crucial aspects of our lives will continue moving to the online sphere. For a long time, our awareness about the dangers of storing sensitive data online has been lagging behind the whirlwind development of sophisticated malware, hacking, and phishing methods.

After several large scale cybersecurity scandals, both businesses and individual users have started nurturing awareness about the importance of online safety. Staying up to date with the latest changes and upcoming trends is now a matter of survival in your respective industry – so let’s see what 2020 has in store for you.

1. Privacy regulation will continue to tighten

European Union has been a pioneer in privacy regulation efforts, creating General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). This law went into effect in early 2018, and its impact on the digital landscape has been profound.

Source:insidesmallbusiness.com.au

It changed the way businesses store and handled personal information. At the same time, it changes the conversation with the customer. Cookies and targeting are no longer a given – a customer now has to be informed about the ways their information is used and has the right to deny or revoke consent. 

Some websites managed to find a loophole by denying service to customers who reject the business’ privacy policy – and European lawmakers are already working on amendments that will clarify that these loopholes are not in accordance with GDPR.

It is reasonable to expect that in 2020, government-imposed regulations will continue to tighten. While there is no consolidated set of privacy regulations in the United States, individual states have laws that protect users’ personal information. The most important one is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which goes into effect on January 1, 2020.

CCPA regulates the way companies must store and guard user data and empowers users to seek information about personal data they store and manage the way it is used.

How can your business stay up to date with this cybersecurity trend? It’s been a while since the first government-mandated changes went into effect, and companies have had enough time to prepare. Cybersecurity is no longer a matter of prestige – nowadays, it is an essential requirement for any business. Transparency and responsibility should thus be at the core of your cybersecurity plan in 2020.

2. You will witness the battle of learning machines

We mentioned how, for years, cybersecurity has been lagging behind cyberattacks. Once the machines took over, this gap has closed. Using machine learning to gather threat intelligence has been invaluable in developing solid cybersecurity tools and systems that now work in real-time.

But one of the problems that may arise in 2020 is a counter-attack. So far, most software-based cyberattacks have been sticking to relatively simple formulas. In 2020, hackers will employ machine learning to discover system vulnerabilities and leverage more sophisticated cyber attacks.

One way to keep up with this cybersecurity trend is to make sure your threat intelligence software is up for the incoming challenge. API tools such as website-categorization-api are amazing at several things at the same time, thanks to their laser-sharp focus on gathering and analyzing threat intelligence. Such a tool can:

  • Investigate threats using nothing but a URL or domain name Identify malware, phishing, fraud, and spyware. For example, e-commerce businesses often deal with form jacking, which means implanting malicious code into forms filled by buyers. Cybersecurity teams can use website categorization to look for indicators of compromised security, identify the source of attempted attacks and blacklist those domains. 
  • You can easily block bad content within your application, appliance or company network
  • Prevent potential damage to your brand image by monitoring references in unwanted categories.
  • Examine the content of a page to determine the context in terms of brands, topics or keywords, simultaneously providing a rich data source to buyers for reaching target audiences and to publishers for monetizing their inventory.

The power of such API engines lies in a multifaceted process that takes place in real-time. This tool retrieves the website content, analyzes it based on natural language processing, and verifies results using humans – allowing you to blend the best of both worlds.

3. Security will move to clouds

Source:blog.rackspace.com

Hosting data and apps in clouds has been increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes, mid-size, and small ones in particular. This solution’s flexibility and scalability are attractive to companies who lack expertise or resources to keep their services up to date.

However, this comes with a cost – as different companies often share clouds, hackers see clouds as a valuable target for more sophisticated attacks. In case of security breaches in poorly segmented clouds, cyberattacks can easily reach several goals at the same time, affecting dozens of businesses and their customers.

Cloud-based security solutions are the 2020’s response to this cybersecurity challenge. The cloud serves as a bridge between users and their network, constantly scanning traffic for threats and being able to stop cyberattacks before they reach either the network or the end-user. 

These clouds are an excellent solution for businesses who don’t have the expertise or resources to protect their network from increasingly sophisticated hackers and malware.

API tools like website categorization can be easily integrated into the platform to boost its security, both by individual businesses and cloud providers.

4. Cybersecurity will become a foundation stone

In the past, cybersecurity has been a mere afterthought for companies. First, there would be a website, software, or platform, and only then would the businesses add layers of protection.

In 2020, this mindset will be all but gone. Cybersecurity will be built from the ground up, integrated into every foundation stone of digital solutions.

This mindset is particularly important if you want to keep up with cybersecurity trends in 2020. You have to understand that cybersecurity is not an attachment – it is an integral part of your product. Upgrades and maintenance are no longer a periodical task – they are an ongoing process.

5. There will be a shortage of cybersecurity talent

Source:computerworld.com

While most of the cybersecurity trends in 2020 are merely challenging opportunities that enable growth, this one may develop into a serious problem.

There is a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, while the demand keeps growing. The supply and demand may level out in a few years, but 2020 won’t be that year.

Apart from guarding your security talent, another solution is relying on companies and digital tools built by the greatest minds in the cybersecurity industry.

Cybersecurity trends in 2020 will emphasize the importance of prevention threats to intelligence. Make sure you’re up for this challenge – the choice of right intelligence provider may be the single most important decision you’ll make this year. 

 

Buying Gifts Online is Easier than Ever

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The Internet has made a revolution that has completely taken over our lives. We use it to conduct businesses, to search for any kind of information we need, to pass time, even to shop for all sorts of things. There is not a single thing you cannot find online, everything from clothes and gifts to furniture and tickets for different kinds of event.

Even though millions of people use popular websites for online shopping, there are still some that are distrustful and we cannot blame them. Many dangers are lurking from the World Wide Web and people want to be certain that they will not be deceived. So what do you have to do in order to be sure that you are making a purchase from a legitimate store?

Source:m.theinvestor.co.kr

Obviously, the very first you have to do is to find the item you want to buy. Simply open your search engine, type in the words and hit the button. You will be presented with the list of results that include online stores like Nippangift.com or google ads for businesses nearby, depending on what you are looking for.

Your next step is to investigate different stores. This is important especially if you are looking for an item that is common. Why? Well, different shops have different prices, plus some of them offer discounts and coupons for the first time customers. There is one thing you have to be careful about and that is the cost of shipping. If you find an offer that is too good to be true, it probably is. Retailers usually offer low prices of merchandise, but in return, have high shipping fees. If you skip this step you might end up throwing money down the drain. In addition, another thing you can do is to order multiple items from the same vendor. Most of them will group them into one shipment and some might even offer a free one if you exceed a certain amount of money.

Furthermore, check if a certain seller has a return policy. Valid stores will have a return policy that protects you as a buyer and that is easily understandable i.e. without hidden conditions. Also, the website has to be secure and there is an easy way to check this. If there is a padlock icon next to the address it means that all data is encrypted and you can safely continue the process.

In order to maximize the security of your information, you should also use a credit card. If you use a debit card and the information gets stolen, the thieves will have the access to your bank account, while, on the other hand, a credit card company can easily reverse the card if something bad happens. Moreover, you should never give unnecessary information. Of course, you will be asked to provide them with your credit card number and address, but if the website asks you for your social security number, stop everything and find another online store.

Source:shopify.com

Our last advice is to always make purchases over a secure internet connection which means do it at your home, and not in a local coffee shop or park. If you use an unsecured network, your data will not be encrypted which means that the potential hackers will have easy access, and there is no need to expose yourself to this risk.

All in all, these are some advice you should use when it comes to making an online purchase, especially if you have never bought things online. Check all the security requirements, ensure that everything is as it should be, and start shopping.

Is America doing enough to protect itself from cyber-attacks?

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The political world is an ever-evolving beast that can see new threats or issues crop up regularly. Within the politics of any one country, foreign affairs is always an area in which this is felt keenly. This is especially true for a superpower such as America, which has allies to foster close links with around the globe but also enemies.

It is the enemies that naturally take up the most column inches in the media and also the most time within the White House. As these can represent an actual threat to America in both physical and economic terms, the foreign secretary will spend a lot of time outlining policy for these nations with the president. One big threat that America is certainly having to factor in here is cyber-attacks. This is becoming an increasingly popular way for countries hostile to the US to try to breach its defenses and cause it harm.

Russia and US relations key

To say that relations between the US and Russia have been shaky for a long time now is somewhat of an understatement. Although the period after the Cold War ended seemed to bring both nations closer, this has now been reversed under Vladimir Putin.

Img Source: oilfiredup.com

Russia now is well-known for using cyber-attacks on other nations, and the US is reported as one victim of this tactic. During the 2018 midterm elections, for example, US sources revealed that internet access had been denied to a Russian company called the Internet Research Agency. This was the same company that had been suspected of committing a cybercrime against the US in the 2016 presidential election.

This situation shows just how common cyber-attacks are becoming as a tool that other nations will use against America. It is in many ways a simple update of the Cold War for the 21st century but with no physical agents having to be risked. Many believe that one way of combating this is to involve more foreign policy experts on Russia to help. Angela Stent is one well-respected expert on Russian-American relations and someone who many believe could provide the advice needed. By involving people like her, America could well head off any future Russian cyber-attacks and have more knowledge on how relations could be improved between the two.

Img Source: brookings.edu

Cyber-attacks from Russia, not the only issue

Russia is not the only nation that is beginning to use cybercrime against nations such as the US to get the sensitive information it wants. China is also very active in this area and is another nation that America needs to be very careful of in terms of protecting its IT infrastructure. Of course, the burning question for many Americans is whether the US is doing enough to stop Russian and Chinese cybercrime.

Img Source: economist.com

More urgency needed from policymakers

While steps are being taken to deal with cyber-attacks on American networks and systems, many feel that the policymakers in Government are being too slow to react. As the cybercrimes that are being targeted against the US become ever more sophisticated, many fear that not enough is being done now by those in power to head them off. It would seem that the US could be doing more in terms of the policy to fight this kind of crime from outside its borders. It is apparent that nations such as Russia have made cyber warfare a key tenant of their foreign policy – maybe America should make cyber-defense a key part of theirs?

More vigilance is needed

Many people involved in this area also feel that America is not showing enough vigilance around cyber-attacks. This is not only in terms of government policy but also how the average citizen feels around cyber-attacks from external nations. The potential that these have to impact negatively on everyday life is immense and something that does not seem to be on a lot of people’s agendas. Many cyber experts feel that more awareness should be raised of how critical this issue is, and people should start to be much more vigilant around cyber-attacks in their workplace or home.

Img Source: forbes.com

Could more resources be put into fighting cyber-attacks?

When it comes down to staying safe from cyber-attacks on American systems or businesses, a lot comes down to resources. If the American Government is serious about stopping this kind of threat, then it must put more resources into training people to fight it online and developing more robust systems to protect the US IT infrastructure. By doing this, it will give the cyber-defense sector in the US the money and people it needs to properly see off any external threat.

America could step it up

Since the scandal around the 2016 US presidential election, cyber-attacks have certainly been higher on people’s agendas in Washington. The main question is whether it is high enough and enough is being done to really keep America safe into the future. While there have been steps made towards this, many believe that more could be done to keep the US safe from digital attacks.

How to Protect Your PC against Hackers

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There are a lot of threats we face every day online and one of the biggest is hacking. This has not become a question if but when you will be hacked? The online world represents a vast market of information, available to anyone, so there is only a matter of interest when choosing the next person or company who is going to be hacked. Even if you don’t yet understand that your personal information, photographs, documents are exposed, you must take measures to protect them. You can isolate yourself from others and not use computers and other modern gadgets, but that is not a solution. We suggest a different approach which will inform you and prepare you for possible ransom-ware attacks.

In the past hackers were associated usually with politics and secret agencies, but today, you can find them in other spheres of life. While hacking is not necessarily bad, and hackers are hired to breach systems and point out flaws, here, we are talking about the other type of hacking – the illegal one. Ransom-ware is the classic example when a targeted company or a person PC has been hacked, and the personal information is locked. They will demand ransom for the availability of your data and threaten you with deleting or permanently closing your documents. Between the sea of options you can choose, the Zonealarm has proven its worth multiple times. But even with this alarm by your side, we have prepared a few tips to help you fight the problem before it occurs.

Img source: hackernoon.com

The first thing to keep your computer safe is to update your OS and other software regularly. The vulnerable outdated programs are an invitation for the hackers to come in, you can choose automatic update if it is more comfortable to your liking. Another way to protect your PC from the hackers is by enabling Microsoft product updates so that the Office Suite is updated simultaneously.

Implement two-step verification to protect your online accounts. The benefit of a two-step verification login into a requested service is the unique code that is sent to a device you opt for. From Gmail to Facebook, you have a dozen examples where this extra layer of security has brought results. Choosing for a time-based security code is a popular and practical option, a one-time code will be displayed on your phone or PC for 60 seconds after it expires a new one is provided to your named device.

Img source: information-age.com

Open Wi-Fi on your router represents a threat, avoid such a beginner’s mistake. The hackers can easily take your connection and download illegal files in a second away. Refreshing your equipment along with your password will guarantee the protection of your Wi-Fi.

The introduction of a third-party software must be from a recognizable and trusted source. The famous ads that wink your way must be avoided! Most probably, you are a step away from looking at a fake alert designed with suspicious software.

We have the only scratched the surface of the topic but hope that you have understood the message. Better safe than sorry, and with these tips above, you can start now.

Follow our 5 Home Security Tips and Keep your Family Safe

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It is no doubt difficult to protect your house at all times from professional thieves. However, our security tips will give you peace of mind you’ve been waiting for.

Securing your house effectively and enjoying comfort has never been easier. It does, however, depend on several factors including the status of occupants, the number of people in the house, and the cost. To clarify, the home security needs of an important persona (i.e. doctor, politician, etc.) are much higher than any other individual. This article will discuss 5 effective ways to secure your property irrespective of the status of its occupants. Keep your family safe and keep reading!

Intercom Systems

Source:house-o-matic.com

Most of the time the danger starts at your doorsteps. Opening your door to some strangers may not always be the best idea ever. In such cases, installing intercom systems in your apartment or house is the best option. Such systems allow you to see who is outside and what is happening in your yard. Some intercom systems even give you the option to speak with the stranger waiting at your doorstep. A great way to find out what your guest wants before letting them in.

Cameras

In addition to intercom systems, CCTV cameras are another efficient way to protect your home from danger. In fact, CCTV recorders will allow you to supervise your space even when you go out. After all, you cannot spend the whole day supervising your property. When deciding to install CCTV devices, you will have to first download a specific application through which you will be able to connect your recorder to the system you are using (i.e. smartphone) at any time and from anywhere you are. You will be able to review the recorded footage and control the pan tilt and the zoom on your camera.  CCTV recorders are budget-friendly devices and very easy to install compared to other security systems.

Alarm Systems and Sensor Lighting

Source:eldoradoinsurance.com

While sensor lighting gives you the ability to track activity outside of your property, alarm systems detect a possible issue.

Sensor lightning alerts you when someone walks close by through turning the lights on. The intruder will be aware that attention is drawn towards them through these lightning sensors.

Additionally, it is recommended in this case to protect your apartment with alarm systems. As mentioned above, these last will detect an issue, send a notification to your smartphone (through a specific app you will have to install), and finally, you can get help immediately if there’s an emergency.

In case you already have your alarm system set, it is highly recommended to switch to ThinkProtection. In fact, this cutting-edge technology offers the best prices, you don’t have to sign any annual contracts, all systems come with a 30-day money back guarantee,  and the mobile app is totally free of charge. How great is that?

Smart or Digital Locks

Source:igloohome.co

Smart locks are considered to be an efficient way to secure your apartment or house. With digital lockers, you will need to set up a password. Careful, don’t share it with anyone other than your family! For more efficient security, it is recommended to install CCTV recorders and keep the traditional locks. This will no doubt stop intruders from breaking into your property.

Safes

Despite everything mentioned above, someone might still be smart enough to break in. Therefore, minimize the damage they can cause and use safes. This safe box keeps your valuable belongings safe and can only be opened with the right password! Keep in mind that safes are usually very heavy, so a thief will definitely not have enough power to run out with it.

Conclusion

It is important you always keep your eyes open. As technology advances, new ways to keep your home safe will emerge. However, always make sure that you buy your security devices from trusted manufacturers, receive proper support and regular updates. As crime rates double, more and more properties are broken into. Therefore, always keep in mind that unprotected security devices are a free invitation to intruders and hackers.

Cybersecurity: Are we there yet?

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A good old-fashioned bank robbery isn’t very popular nowadays. The bad guys don’t even need guns. They commit crimes from home with the help of the computer. Welcome to the world of technology where everything can get hacked.

Thirty years ago people were not thinking of cybersecurity. There were no wireless computers, mobile banking apps, Facebook, the cryptocurrency market, etc. An interesting fact is that the first virus, named Brain, was released a few years after International business machines corporation had introduced the first personal computer. The virus was written by two brothers from Pakistan. At that time, people from the United States and the United Kingdom were so shocked that their computers had a virus that they were calling directly to Pakistan demanding to disinfect their machines.

source: itsecurityguru.org

Nowadays users have different kinds of antivirus software. No one keeps track of the number of computer viruses. The world would be a great place if a random Internet virus was the only cybersecurity problem. At this point, there are a lot of cyber dangers such as crypto jacking, data breaches, and ransomware attacks. Hackers can steal users’ passwords and go through personal information including photos, emails, chats on WhatsApp, and bank details. More than that, they can attack the government, hack Tesla cars and home automation system. There is no safe place.

source: curt-rice.com

Even large corporations such as Google, Facebook, FedEx, Amazon or Wikipedia experience cyber attacks. Despite the amount of financial and human resources, they still can’t fully protect themselves. For instance, Sony’s PlayStation Network was attacked in 2011. The company was going through hell – the team of hackers stole the personal data of 77 million users. The list of data included customers’ names, passwords, credit cards numbers, and expiration dates. Needless to say, the users’ bank accounts had been illegally used. To appease disappointed customers the company paid compensation of 15 million dollars in total. Plus, they were in charge of refunding money that was stolen from all their customers. The experts call it the world’s largest cyber attack. Another important fact is that it was possible to avoid this incident. Sony decided to ignore a well-known network vulnerability and paid the price for it.

source: com.ng

Hackers can also be different. Not everyone will go to attack government or political parties. Some hackers target celebrities and their Instagram profiles by using a flaw in the Instagram security system. In 2016, Selena Gomez’s Instagram was hacked. Unknown posted nude photos of Justin Bieber from her profile. The American singer had 125 million followers at that time.

source: the20.com

Everyone can become a victim of a cyber attack. History shows that the consequences can be terrible. That’s why it is so important to spread the message about cybersecurity and what to do in order to avoid getting hacked. Hackers are evolving at the same speed as technology, so users should become more careful both online and offline. No one knows what can be worse – showing your nude pictures to the millions of people or pay off 15 million dollar debt.

If you want to learn more about cybersecurity and how to protect yourself, check out the infographic below, according to ServerMania:

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