Cybersecurity is an array of targeted preventive measures to control infiltration from malicious threat actors and safeguard your data and sensitive pool of information safe on the web. But, even today there are a gazillion businesses worldwide that do not have the requisite know-how or the talented cybersecurity specialists to do the job. The cybersecurity industry has grown far and wide with the advent of massive data present online. Businesses of all sorts have turned to digital ways of doing work; hence have accumulated a large volume of datasets.

As the cyberattacks continue to rise at a staggering rate; so does the cost involved. The World Economic Forum reveals that the current global cybersecurity workforce gap stands at over 3 million professionals; with the demand growing twice as fast as supply. Adding to this, Quarter 1 of 2024 has observed a whopping surge in cyberattacks globally compared to the previous years.

This makes understanding the threat landscape in depth a critical requisite to get into the industry. Let us start by understanding the diverse cyberattacks that ruin the business landscape worldwide and the effective measures that could be taken to prevent them from occurring in the future.

What is a cyberattack?

As IBM rightly puts it, a cyberattack is an unwelcome attempt to steal, expose, alter, disable, or destroy information through unauthorized access to computer systems. These are intentional attempts to gain unauthorized access to a computer system, network, or digital device.
How can a cyberattack affect your business?

Cyberattacks affect your business in ways more than one:

• Operational hurdles
• Reputational damage
• Malware dysfunction
• Financial losses
• Business discontinuation or disruption

10 Most Common Cyberattacks:

1.BAITING

It is a social engineering attack that involves malicious actors making false promises to customers to entice them to expose personal details or install malware on their systems.

2. SPOOFING

A common spoofing strategy involves using a fake caller ID, where the person receiving the call does not see the number is falsified. Other versions include subverting facial recognition systems, using a fake domain name, or creating a fake website.

3. PRETEXTING

A commonplace social engineering cyberattack that includes constructing possible scenarios likely to entice victims to reveal sensitive information; mostly used for political and financial gains.

4. PHISHING

Scammers send many emails or texts simultaneously expecting to get a few responses. They can come disguised as your internet service provider and ask you to ‘confirm’ your password.

5. RANSOMWARE

Cyber attackers can install malicious software on your device, allowing them to block your access until the victim pays a ransom to the attacker. Even paying the ransom does not assure the removal of the software.

6. ZERO-DAY EXPLOITS

It involves malicious cyber attackers exploiting a recently discovered vulnerability in widely used software applications or operating systems before a security patch is released.

7. TAILGATING

It is a simple plan that involves going through any security checks without permission by following someone else. A trained professional would wait for someone else to use their credentials to open the door to a restricted building and follow closely behind them. This reflects upon the social engineering getting worse with cyberattacks in person as well.

8. DISTRIBUTED DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACK (DDoS)

These interrupt the normal functioning of a system or network by overwhelming it with excessive traffic. The goal of DDoS is to gain financial benefits if hired by a competing business by making the targeted system or service unavailable to legitimate users.

9. INSIDER THREATS

The insider threats consist of current or previous employees, posing a significant risk to organizations due to their flexible access to the company network; inclusive of confidential data and intellectual property.

10. CRYPTOJACKING

Cryptojacking involves getting through unauthorized use of a computer system, usually through malware that gives attackers access to the computer’s resources for mining cryptocurrency.

Cyberattack Preventive Measures

For individual users:

DO’s

• Cross-check source validity
• Update operating systems
• Install Prompt Defender spam filter
• Deploy Multi-factor authentication •

DON’Ts
Plug a USB or unknown device
• Give access to your device to strangers
• Reveal your details to unknown
• Click on a link to download files from someone suspicious

For organizations:

• Train employees with the latest in cybersecurity skills via globally credible cybersecurity certifications
• Ensure the company’s operating systems and other software are kept up-to-date with current security patches
• Stay consistently vigilant with scanning the business environment
• Target threat intelligence in your security strategy plan

Final word:

Cybersecurity is more than what you think it encompasses. When cyber attackers plan to exploit vulnerabilities across the business virtual landscape, you must ramp up your efficacy as an informed business with top-rated cybersecurity tools. Become a cybersecurity expert with the most nuanced cybersecurity certifications to counter the menace. Put your cyber guards on as you pivot through the cyber threat landscape and build a career in cybersecurity as an experienced cyber professional.