Cyber security, or electronic information security, is a technology that safeguards computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It encompasses various contexts, including business and mobile computing, and can be categorized into multiple common categories.
- Application security focuses on protecting software and devices from threats. A compromised application may provide access to data it was designed to protect. And, the success of an application’s security is determined early in the design phase of the application, not before the program or device is deployed.
- Information security is used to protect the integrity and privacy of data during storage and transmission.
- Operational security includes processes and decisions for handling and protecting data assets. The permissions users have when accessing the network and the steps to determine when and where data is stored/shared are included under this umbrella.
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Most common Cyber Security Threats
Vulnerabilities of the computer network system itself, such as insecure services, configuration, and initialization of the computer network. If the system has loopholes in these aspects, it will easily lead to the paralysis of the computer network system and cause immeasurable threats to the network. First of all, if the algorithm of some programs is not perfect when the computer network is manufactured, and password traps exist, this will cause identity authentication threats.
In order to ensure the security of people’s computers, people often set user names and passwords for their computers, and at this time, the most important thing is the setting of usernames and passwords. The necessary feature of usernames and passwords is that they cannot be changed at will and have certain difficulties. Only in this way can the threat of identity authentication to computer network security be avoided.
Second, theft, and wrong identification are also common security threats in computer networks. With the popularization of the network, computer theft is becoming more and more serious, which has caused serious losses to the owner. For convenience, people often store some important files of their work or life on the computer. Once the computer is hacked, it will cause immeasurable loss to the owner.
Viruses and Trojan horses are common harmful programs on computer networks, and they mostly appear when downloading or updating the system. People’s increasing dependence on the application of computer networks has led many criminals to create computer network viruses and Trojan horses for personal gain. Viruses and Trojan horses are undoubtedly a bomb on the security of computer networks.
Also Read: What is the Dark web & why is it so scary?
The application of the network system makes it possible to dial up on the Internet, but there are also potential hazards in this operation, such as impersonation and wiretapping. Wiretapping is the most common security problem caused by cable connections. Therefore, when surfing the Internet, you still have to pay attention to your own safety hazards at all times, so as not to cause unnecessary troubles and accidents.
Types of Cyber Threats
Achieving network security requires protection against threats at three levels:
- Cybercrime, including individual crimes or gang crimes against the system for the purpose of obtaining economic benefits or causing damage.
- Cyber attacks are often politically motivated and involve information gathering.
- Cyber-terrorist attacks with the intention of disrupting electronic systems and creating panic or fear.
Network Security Threats
1. Malware
One of the most common online threats is malware, which is software created by cybercriminals or hackers to disrupt or damage legitimate users’ computers. Often distributed via unidentified email attachments or legitimate-looking downloads, cybercriminals may use malware to make money or conduct politically motivated cyberattacks. Malware comes in many varieties, including:
- Virus: A self-replicating program that infects files with malicious code by attaching itself to uninfected files and spreading them throughout a computer system.
- Trojan horse: A type of malware that hides as legitimate software. Cybercriminals can destroy or collect data on computers by tricking users into downloading Trojan horses onto their computers.
- Spyware: This is a program that secretly records user actions so that cybercriminals can use this information. For example, spyware can obtain credit card details.
- Ransomware: This is malware that locks a user’s files and data and threatens to wipe them if the user pays a ransom.
- Adware: Refers to adware that can be used to spread malware.
- Botnet: A network of computers infected with malware that cybercriminals use to carry out tasks online without the user’s permission.
2. SQL Injection
SQL (Structured Query Language) injection is a type of cyber attack used to control and steal data from databases. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in data-driven applications to insert malicious code into databases through malicious SQL statements. This will give them access to the sensitive information contained in the database.
3. Phishing
Phishing is when cybercriminals target victims with emails that appear to be from legitimate companies and demand sensitive information. Phishing attacks are often used to trick people into handing over credit card data and other personal information.
4. “Man-in-the-middle” attack
A “man-in-the-middle” attack refers to a cyber threat in which cybercriminals steal data by intercepting communications between two people. For example, an attacker could intercept data passing from a victim’s device and network over an unsecured WiFi network.
5. Denial of service attack (DoS)
A denial of service attack is a type of cyber attack in which cybercriminals flood network and server traffic to prevent computer systems from fulfilling legitimate requests. This type of attack renders the system unusable, preventing an organization from performing vital functions.
