Cybercrime is one of the biggest global risks that companies will need to keep an eye out for, according to the World Economic Forum. It’s considered as dangerous as other risk factors such as climate change. On top of that, only one in seven cybercrimes is ever officially reported.
Cyber attackers look for any hole in your network security infrastructure and take full advantage of them. In some cases, they may lay in wait for months before striking.
Here’s how to identify a threat to network security and how to stop them.
The Danger of Cyber Attackers
The reason cyber attacks are such a risk for companies is because of the kind of access they give themselves to your information.
An unauthorized user could get into your database and leak all the addresses of your customers to the public. They could delete all of your customer data and leave your company helpless. It’s also possible that they use the information they gain to further their cybercrime career.
If you don’t have a data recovery plan, you could find yourself set back by weeks or even months. It could very well mean the end of your business.
How to Identify a Threat to Network Security
The first step to protecting sensitive data is to identify the types of threats you may face. You can then establish defenses and protocols for dealing with these threats.
Phishing Scams
Phishing is where a hacker pretends to be another person who has sent a legitimate message or email. They may pretend to be a colleague, your boss, or even a loved one. The recipient of the email clicks a malicious link in the email which then installs malware onto their device.
Computer Virus
A malicious email may also contain a virus, which can spread to other computers on your contact list. The best way to deal with these is to avoid downloading from any unknown email attachments or websites.
Adware and Spyware
Adware collects information from you, while spyware can steal your personal information. While the former is technically legal since they’re included in User Agreements, the latter is always installed without your consent.
DOS and DDOS Attack
One of the most immediate and obvious types of cyber threats is a DOS or DDOS attack. These attacks flood your website with information to prevent other users from accessing it. In some cases, this can render your business inoperable as long as the attack persists.
If your website has stopped working for some unknown reason, this may be why.
Improve Your Security Posture
A threat to network security could come from nearly anywhere. When you’re at work, you should never open up strange emails or visit websites that aren’t approved. Most importantly, your business should invest in professional IT services to bolster your network’s defenses.
Inception Network Strategies provides hassle-free managed services for small businesses. Our customer satisfaction is 99%, and we’ve personally solved over 3,500 problems in the last year. Contact us to learn more and to tell us about your network security struggles.