Why Mobile Devices Security Is Important in 2021?
Security threats on the Internet are among the top risks businesses, and individuals face today. Mobile devices are becoming a top target for cyber-attacks with their internet-connected capabilities because of their widespread availability.
Security for mobile devices includes protecting them against cyber threats, including laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and phones. Increasingly, people are storing sensitive data on their devices, so the need for protection is more crucial today. In emerging and developing markets, the situation is broadly similar.
Individuals and small businesses use smartphones and laptops to access their email and social media accounts. Using your mobile devices makes you more visible to hackers by adding more data to your digital footprint.
What is Phone Security?
A smartphone security expert protects a user's device against a wide range of cyber attacks that can be used to steal private information and compromise their finances or safety.
A security program integrates a variety of technologies, controls, policies, and best practices. With mobile security, your phone is protected against some security threats.
Why is mobile security more critical than ever?
Protecting mobile devices from threats and vulnerabilities is the function of mobile security. Data that is more sensitive is stored on mobile devices, as described below, to ensure data security.
1. More data could be more dangerous with mobile devices
As the amount of data created daily increases, we also store, share, and increase access amounts of data personally and professionally. This is well known to cybercriminals. Because of this, they began concentrating on smartphones and tablets to steal more money and data from their victims.
2. Cyberattacks on mobiles increasing by the day
Smartphones and other mobile devices are frequently the targets of cyberattacks. Cybercriminals have used all kinds of effective strategies over the last year alone. Several mobile apps also collect enormous amounts of data and store it in the cloud, which is a privacy concern.
3. Threats have evolved to be more sophisticated
Therefore, mobile attacks make economic sense for cybercriminals. They can infect more machines and earn more money by exploiting individual users and selling their data on the black market by attacking these devices. These devices hold a vast amount of information, but their identities can be used to compromise other services.
How to protect mobile devices?
Technological advancements and the portability of mobile devices have led people to rely heavily on those tools. The increased functionality of mobile devices allows us to perform some day-to-day tasks, such as browsing the web and making online bookings.
1. Use strong passwords and biometrics
Biometric factors, such as fingerprint confirmations combined with strong passwords, make unauthorized access nearly impossible. You should use alphanumeric letters and numbers in your passwords. Consider using two-factor authentication if your mobile device supports it. Unexpected attacks should not be tolerated.
However, this feature is to be avoided at all costs since it will only increase the chances of your password being spoofed. A third party may also access a lost device.
2. Make sure that free or public Wi-Fi is protected
Everyone loves free Wi-Fi, especially when the data plan is inexpensive. Since most wireless networks are accessible, they're not encrypted. People with malicious intent can easily access your passwords, usernames, and other sensitive data using open networks. It is unlikely that either threat will disappear any time soon.
It would be best if you protected your Wi-Fi connection or at least knew your network's status to protect yourself against Wi-Fi hacking. If you are not using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, you should turn them off when not in use. This will prevent automatic connection to unencrypted networks as well as save battery life.
3. Make use of a VPN
You should use a VPN client (Virtual Private Network) if you are not sure about the network's security status you are connected to. Connecting to a network securely is possible with a VPN. At the same time, you can browse anonymously on public Wi-Fi. It can also be used to access less secure websites.
A network or vulnerability tool can reveal non-HTTPS sites. It is possible to eavesdrop on these sites and sniff passwords through MITM (Man-in-the-middle) attacks. It's imperative to have a new mindset when it comes to fighting cybercrime.
4. Install an antivirus program
The files you download and the apps you install on your mobile device may contain malicious code. You would become unsecured, and your privacy would be compromised when this code started leaking data.
An antivirus program will protect you from such threats. Other features of antivirus applications include wiping your data on lost or stolen mobile devices, tracking unknown callers who might pose a danger, and giving you a list of unsafe software.
As well as clearing your history and deleting cookies, they offer this service. Whenever someone malicious tries to access a cookie, they might leak your login information.
5. Install the latest software version
Security threats may also affect your mobile device. To avoid hazards, your device should constantly be updated to prevent exploiting new loopholes. Those updates fix known vulnerabilities on your device. Updates can be set up to be manual or automatic.
Cyber security and digital safety require regular software updates. You will become more confident in the security of your device once you update sooner rather than later.
Software updates are important because they often patch security holes. As well as improving the stability of your software, they also remove outdated features. The updates aim to enhance the user experience.
Conclusion
As a result of all these features, mobile devices are susceptible to online threats and physical attacks due to their portability. Mobile malware poses some security threats, such as worms, spyware, unauthorized access, and phishing. Their malicious attacks are countered by phone security.
It is about defending our mobile devices from the numerous threats they face. In addition to saving battery power, offering automatic backups, and securing critical data, following most of this advice has additional benefits, making it very difficult to justify not using safe practices.
What Is Cyber Security and Why Is It Important?
The goal of cybersecurity is to protect data, hardware, and software that connects to the internet from viruses, malware, and other threats.
Data centers and other computerized systems are protected from unauthorized access through this practice, which both individuals and enterprises use.
A strong cybersecurity strategy can provide both internal and external users with good security postures from malicious attacks to gain access to, alter, destroy, or extort data from an organization or individual.
Cybersecurity is also essential to preventing threats directed at a system or device, such as attacks aimed at disabling or interrupting its behavior.
A cyber security framework includes technologies, processes, and practices that help prevent attacks, damage, and unauthorized access to networks, devices, programs, and data. Information technology security is another name for cyber security.
Why is the Importance of Cyber Security in 2021?
All data types are protected by cybersecurity because it prevents theft and damage. Data that pertains to personal information (PII), intellectual property, personal information, and governmental and industry data.
As devices, programs, and users grow in today's enterprise, and as data, many of them sensitive or confidential, increases, cybersecurity becomes increasingly essential.
Cyber-attackers' sophistication and growing numbers make the issue worse. We must put measures in place to secure our data from cyber attacks that aim to steal this information and misuse it for their own purposes.
It can also include sensitive information provided by the government or industry, personally identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, and protected health information (PHI).
To protect this data, advanced cyber protection programs and mechanisms should be set up. In a democracy, crucial infrastructure such as hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and financial services are essential. Our society cannot function without them. Identity theft and extortion are serious threats to individuals that cyber security attacks can result in.
What are the types of Cyber Attacks?
There are many different types of cyberattacks. In addition to overt ransomware attacks (taking valuable business tools or products and demanding money in exchange for their release), some are covert operations when criminals infiltrate an organization's network to access valuable data only to reveal it months later, if at all.
Thousands of people worldwide are being affected by cyberattacks, which are becoming more difficult to detect and report every day for various reasons.
1. Man-in-the-Middle Attack
When criminals intervene in a two-party transaction, they are known as Man in the Middle (MitM). An individual's device can be infiltrated if a criminal inserts himself between the Wi-Fi network and the device. A victim's information can sometimes be accessed without anyone knowing if there is no protected Wi-Fi connection.
2. Malware
Viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious software are called malware. In most cases, servers are breached when users click on suspicious links in an email or install a risky application.
When malware enters a network, it collects sensitive information, creates other destructive software, and even blocks access to crucial business network components such as email servers (ransomware).
3. Social Engineering
People are psychologically manipulated to divulge personal information through social engineering. The purpose of phishing is to exploit people's natural curiosity or trust through social engineering.
A more sophisticated social engineering strategy involves manipulating a person's voice. Cybercriminals call friends or relatives and ask for credit card information by manipulating their voice (from sources like voicemail or social media posts).
4. Zero-day attack
Attacks using zero-day vulnerabilities are on the rise. This occurs between the announcement of a vulnerability and the patching solution.
Companies often announce if their network safety has been compromised in the spirit of transparency and security. But, some criminals use that opportunity to attack before a fix can be developed.
5. Phishing
The practice of phishing involves sending a malicious communication (usually an email) to appear as if it originated from a well-known and reputable source.
The email uses the same logos, names, and words as a CEO or company to make victims think it is from them and the links are harmful. If a user clicks on a phishing link, they risk providing sensitive data such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or login information.
6. DDoS attack
By sending too much traffic to a network or its servers, cybercriminals create a Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attack. This makes the entire system unusable because the network cannot handle valid requests. Organizations can be shut down completely.
Cybercrime: How to Prevent from It?
Making informed decisions about how you share your personal information is your responsibility as a consumer. A great deal of value is attached to all data about you, including your age and gender, your location, and your buying history. Your online footprints leave a digital footprint as well.
There's more to it than simply what information you give away. You have to consider what companies and applications are allowed access to. When downloading apps, for example, this can happen. Some applications require you to give them access to a certain amount of information about yourself before using it.
A company has many valuable data: business insights, financial data, and customer and employee data. To comply with current regulations, companies need to protect their data and that of their customers. Partnering and partnering with vendors are also important.
Secure Your Important Data
Utilize tools that prevent data loss, protect your third-party and fourth-party vendor risks, and permanently scan for leaked credentials and data exposure.
Cybercriminals could access internal networks and compromise sensitive material if data leaks are left unattended. In addition to detecting leaks within the third-party network, a solution for data leak detection should also monitor leaks throughout the network.
Summary
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. Technology is fundamentally becoming more dominant in our society, and there is no indication that this will reverse.
Any serious cyber attack can only be thwarted by taking a multi-layer cybersecurity approach. In addition to firewalls and software, tools and a range of services will help combat malware that affects everything from smartphones to Wi-Fi networks.
7 Ways to Protect Your Computer from Hackers
In its growth, the World Wide Web brought new possibilities and new industries, but it also contributed to new downsides. Computer viruses ravaged business networks, and tonnes of spam began to infiltrate email accounts.
The act of hacking includes invading your computer, stealing personal information, tricking you into revealing private information, etc. It is possible to use this information to steal and extort personal information, including business secrets, bank account information, and even identities.
You can prevent malware and hacking attempts that steal your personal information by keeping your computer secure. Cybersecurity is extremely important. On computing devices and online, we spend a significant amount of time.
What are computer hackers?
Hackers sell or steal sensitive information when accessing networks and devices, such as financial details and company secrets. The act of hacking into a computer, tablet, or smartphone, usually to steal, edit, or delete information, is called computer hacking.
Hackers (of the criminal variety) can access your most sensitive information - regardless of whether they are working as part of an organized unit or an individual with a political agenda.
Why it's so important to protect against hackers?
It is important to ensure the security of computers since they are used to perform everyday tasks. By automating crucial business processes, also safeguards sensitive and confidential data.
The importance of computer security is such that everyone should be aware of it. You can prevent malware and hacking attempts that steal your personal information by keeping your computer secure.
A prevention program prevents unauthorized people (hackers) from accessing your computer. By detecting someone's attempts and actions, you can learn if they successfully broke into your system. Security on the Internet is the most important aspect that every internet user should understand.
The 7 best ways to prevent hackers
Several methods exist for protecting our computers and removing malware. There is no single method that ensures your computer is secure.
The more layers of protection you have on your computer, the harder it is for hackers to access it. Keep your data safe and secure by following these tips:
1. Use Complex and Secure Passwords
When it comes to maintaining system security, strong, complex passwords are the first line of defense. It's hard for hackers to crack complex passwords.
Passwords must be eight characters long and include numbers, uppercase, lowercase letters, and special characters. In minutes, hackers can break easy passwords using certain tools. A recent study found that a six-character password with lower case letters can be cracked in less than six minutes!
2. Browser security settings
You may need to review the security and privacy settings of your browser and adjust them as needed. Most modern browsers offer the option to tell websites not to track you, which increases the security and privacy of your data.
If your web browser is insecure, spyware may be installed on your computer without your knowledge, or attackers may take over your computer, steal your information, or even use your computer to attack another.
3. Keep your OS, apps, and browser up-to-date
Keep your operating systems updated by installing new updates. The majority of updates contain security fixes that protect your data from being exploited by hackers. It's the same for apps.
Browsers of today have become increasingly sophisticated, especially in terms of privacy and security. Install all new updates and review your browser security settings.
By using your browser, you can disable tracking by websites and increase your privacy online. If you prefer to use a private browser, you can try these.
4. Use two-factor authentication and encryption
The first line of defense against computer hackers is passwords, but a second layer improves security. Most sites offer two-factor authentication, which adds a layer of security by requiring you to enter a numerical code - sent to your phone or email address - in addition to your password.
The encryption of your network and files can prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to them even if they gain access to your network or files.
5. Shut it down
Unlocking a cell phone or leaving the machine unattended becomes a habit. Maybe you hadn't even considered leaving it unattended for a long time, but you got distracted or met someone.
The onlooker has control over our online identity. It happens to everyone. If you can't stop leaving your workstation before locking it, you can't fix this problem.
When your computer is always on, you are a more visible target for hackers; shutting it down ensures that any mischief that might be perpetrated is disrupted.
6. Practice smart emailing
Cybercriminals have improved considerably since the Nigerian prince who wants your money still operates phishing campaigns. When you hover over a link, you can see its actual URL (instead of just seeing words in the hyperlink text).
Make sure the email is actually from the person or company claiming to have sent it. Check for ambiguous sentence structures and awkward formatting if you are unsure.
If you still feel something is fishy, look up the subject line on the Internet. It is possible that others were scammed and shared their experiences.
7. Install an anti-spyware package
Spyware is software that secretly monitors and collects data about people and organizations. This type of malware is designed to be difficult to detect and remove, and it may deliver ads or search results intended to direct you to be certain (often malicious) websites.
Some spyware records every keystroke to gather financial information and passwords. Most major antivirus packages include anti-spyware, which is designed exclusively to combat this threat. By scanning incoming information and blocking threats, anti-spyware packages provide real-time protection.
Conclusion
A computer or a cell phone contains crucial information. Sensitive data needs to be protected through investment. If you want what belongs to you, you must pay the ransom.
Hackers may break some of the advanced computer security systems since people tend to be the most vulnerable part of a system, but they can also end up being the most powerful. If you get a chance, familiarize yourself with the latest cybersecurity threats.
Trust your gut instinct and practice the basics of commonsense safety principles. Cybercrime is a serious problem, but it doesn't have to be your fault.
7 Best Tips to Do Safe Online Shopping
With the advancement of technology, consumers can now enjoy a better online shopping experience, and this trend will continue for years to come.
Online shopping has grown dramatically in recent years. To remain competitive and grab a share of the online market are now offering online incentives to consumers. In addition, thousands of people now buy items from their local shops online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since consumer activity online has increased, so too have cybercriminals' efforts to target the unwary and uninformed and rob them of massive amounts of money. However, even though online fraud and cybercrime flourish, you do not necessarily have to avoid online shopping.
Why do cybercriminals succeed?
It is safe to shop online most of the time. Individuals' internet and online shopping habits make it unsafe. Cybercriminals rely on precisely that.
Take advantage of the fact that you do not recognize phishing emails and how to avoid them. Your passwords should be weak or the same for every account. Private accounts are accessed through public Wi-Fi. Consumers are supposed not to follow some simple, commonsense instructions.
Moreover, suppose you don't comply with their demands. In that case, it may cost you much more than just your bank account balance - it could damage your identity, resulting in financial and personal difficulties.
Importance of safe online shopping
Account security is just as crucial for social networks as it is for computers. It is important to create a strong password that prevents hackers from gaining access to one's account and using it for malicious purposes.
Many of us will be spending the coming months indoors, so we should be extra careful when shopping online. Internet safety is essential for the protection of data, personal information, and property. While using online banking and shopping services, users should pay more attention to internet safety.
Tips for shopping online safely
Here are the top 7 Internet security tips to help you protect yourself when shopping online.
1. Search the internet safely
While search engines are convenient when looking for products, reviews, or price comparisons, they can also lead you unintentionally to malware results instead of your intended destination if you click on 'poisoned' results.
You may lose access to your online accounts if you let malware take over your computer. No matter what type of malware it is, you certainly don't want it on your computer.
2. Never Use public Wi-Fi to access online accounts
Free Wi-Fi is often available at coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, and other public areas. You can use this to access your email, messages and browse the Web. However, using public Wi-Fi to access a private account is a security risk.
Hackers could set up their Wi-Fi network or even hijack your signal to trick you. In addition to using public Wi-Fi, it is essential to avoid using it in retail stores.
Yet cybercriminals take advantage of this and take your passwords, login information, and financial information. When you're out shopping, it's better to access the internet via your mobile phone network.
3. Use a temporary credit card
You may experience problems when shopping online safely due to sophisticated malware and techniques employed by cybercriminals.
Another layer of security is using a temporary credit card for online purchases instead of your regular credit card. Most credit card companies will let you make a one-time purchase with them.
You prevent scammers from making further fraudulent purchases with your credit card number. Each purchase is made with a random account number, so hackers can't use that number again.
4. Set up an online banking/shopping computer
One computer can be dedicated solely to online banking and shopping if you have more than one. You can create a ' clean ' computer free of computer viruses when you don't use the computer for other online activities, such as browsing the internet, downloading, checking emails, or social networking.
Install Google Chrome with forced HTTPS for added security when shopping online. The only websites you visit will be secure with this extension.
5. Use the dedicated email address
In the same way, you can create a 'clean' computer; you can do the same with an email address. You should create an email address that you will only use for online shopping.
Bringing down the number of spam messages you receive will reduce the risk of opening potentially malicious emails disguised as sales promotions or notifications and limit the number of spam messages you receive.
6. Protect your online passwords
One of the best ways to keep your online shopping account safe is using strong passwords and using a different password for each account.
Many different passwords can be challenging to remember, especially if they contain many letters, numbers, and special characters. To keep strong passwords on multiple accounts, you can use a password manager.
Also, a password manager should encrypt plain text passwords. Security and password management features can be found in some antivirus and Internet security software products.
7. Use a VPN
Install a VPN before shopping online on public Wi-Fi if you need to. Hackers cannot view sensitive information between your computer and the VPN server when you use a VPN.
A VPN allows you to create an encrypted connection between your computer and the VPN server if you must shop online on public Wi-Fi. Using a Wi-Fi network, even if your password is known, hackers can't access your data.
Safe shopping online is possible if you follow these tips and recommendations. Protect your personal information, and you won't run into the problems that so many others have.
Conclusion
It is possible to live without the internet, but it is very challenging. The benefits of shopping online include convenience, speed, ease, and often a lower price than shopping in person.
As with most things connected to the internet, such convenience is not without a price, and that price is privacy and security. You should pay attention to any notification telling you to update your apps and keep track of any app that stores your details.
Ways To Avoid Phishing Attacks
With today’s culture it security is one of our biggest concerns with everything being digital from online banking to conferences and evening tax filing. It should be our number one priority to protect ourselves from cyber-attacks and or threats.
With an increase in phishing attacks, it is said that over thirty percent (30%) of these attacks are done via emails that and being opened unknowingly, which means this should not be taken lightly. Quite a number of your spams contain malicious attachments that can infect devices and or capture essential data.
What Is Phishing?
According to the webster dictionary, phishing is defined as a scam by which an internet user is duped (as by a deceptive email message) into revealing personal or confidential information that he scammer/attacker can use illicitly.
As is said above, a phishing attack usually happens through emails to aid in a cyber attack. Phishing is mainly done via emails sent in links that look most legitimate as that of the reputable company. It is a lucrative business for most scammers/attackers as it players on your most basic instinct.
Avoiding Phishing Scam/Attacks
While phishing attacks are rampant, there are steps that we can take to ensure we are protected. Here are seven ways you can do so:
- Check Before You Click: It is easy to click a link/URL displayed in a trustworthy environment; however, an unknown email URL should be checked out before you proceed. Once you receive a random email you are unsure of, you first, hover over the link/URL you see as uncertain before clicking on it. At this point, look to the bottom left corner of your screen to view its corresponding URL. A phishing email may carry a link that looks just like that of a legitimate company, but when selected takes you to a malicious page that will infect devices and capture information.
- Stay Informed: It is a fact that as new security measures are made or put in place, the attackers do change their techniques. Not staying on top of the information game (keeping informed), you stand the possible chance of quickly falling prey to these scammers. Updates are often on the news (television) and various online medium.
- Update Browser: Security patches are released continuously for popular browsers often. These releases are a defense against various security loopholes that may be noticed and even used by numerous scammers and cyber attackers. Once an upgrade is speculated, please upgrade immediately, ignoring updates that only leave you prey for your attackers.
- Avoiding Attachments and Links: When to avoid illegitimate URL/links at times, hit us in the face, but we choose to ignore them. We can pick this up easy or say some of the this we have ignored are lousy grammar, request for personal information misspelling, or even a.net where a .com should be. This means never click on a link or attachment that is not trustworthy.
- Anti-phishing Installation: You would find with modernized browsers that they would have an anti-phishing toolbar already installed for your auto protection. This protection is done by doing quick checks on sites you are visiting compared to popular fishing websites. The sophistication of this tool quickly alerts you to any malicious site s once visiting. This is one know layer of protection and is entirely free for its users.
- Never Give Personal Information: This is the golden rule and is being said many times but never enough. Don’t ever volunteer your sensitive personal information. Articles prior will inform you of your confidential data that you should never share. These include but, in the know ay limited to financial details, login credentials for separate accounts, social security number (SSN), and many more. If you notice the majority of the phishing websites carefully frequently request the previously mentioned sensitive information.
- Antivirus Software: There are multi reasons for using antivirus software, and phishing protection are one such. Your antivirus software stays on your device(s) to protect from malicious attacks that may work around your first security line or work around the loophole. It is like another line of defense.
Conclusion
I hope this article aids you in being better able to protect against phishing attacks and scams. Reminder to always check your URLs or links before clicking to go through to your new browser. Continually update browser and antivirus software as these protect you by hiding your possible loopholes and system workarounds. The most important rule of them all never shares sensitive information and login credentials.
Your Digital Identity
While initially, it was said that your online whereabouts do not define you as they only entail things that are mechanical such as your email address, phone number, IP addresses, and items of that genre. We all can agree that this has significantly changed with most of our lives in the digital space. This dimension has gained rather exciting attention. This all makes it much easier for most of our worst nightmares, “identity theft.”
What Is Digital Identity?
Though the concept of digital identity may seem complicated and somewhat tricky to understand, some information will give clarity.
Digital identity is defined as a network or internet equivalent that holds or consists of information about you. As we evolve through our digital journey, our life becomes that of our online and offline activity, as such events are surveyed via the digital domain. These pieces of information that entail your digital identity can be as minimal as a comment on various online mediums to big as sharing sensitive information like social security number or single user name or email address. These are called your “digital attributes.”
What Are Digital Attributes?
As the Internet of Things (IoT) increases every day by various mediums, be it applications, networks, or otherwise, the attributes also increase with this. While we have named a few earlier, here is a list with a few more.
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Login Credentials (email address/username and password)
- Online Accounts
- Online Activity (Searches)
- Social Events (likes, posts, and shares)
- Comments made on articles or social media
Protect My Digital Identity
In the end, our digital identities are here to stay. As avast so humorously states it, “As long as your online Doppelganger exists, there will always be someone hoping to exploit it.”
Some steps or actions can put in place to mitigate or even prevent attacks or digit identity infiltration from happening.
- Invest In A VPN: Always use a virtual private network (VPN), as this software establishes a secure path between you and the server hence protecting your digital identity. See more in the article, why invest in a VPN.
- Protect Your User Name and Password: Often, advice not to share your credentials with anyone is worth obeying. This is one step in protecting your digital Doppelganger existence. Another step is implementing a password manager; this places secure encryption on your passwords and gives you the marvelous advantage of managing passwords for one central spot.
- Search Engine: It is best to use a search engine that is most secure. In most cases, users substitute with incognito web browsers.
Other Steps In Protecting Your Digital Identity
- Burn or shred documents containing sensitive personal information
- Limit sharing of sensitive information such as SSN
- Use unique and strong passwords on all online accounts
- Never share login credentials
- Secure home and workplace Wi-Fi networks
Digital Transformation Security and Its Impact
Digital transformation is having a widely significant impact on technology as we grow, from cloud storage to mobile adaptation, which means it goes beyond website and system responsiveness and deals with solutions for all possible hacks or attacks. What will you also notice in companies’ changes? These established businesses continuously roll out new changes and upgrades to ensure that all the latest security protection measures are in place to ensure customers/clients can browse and conduct business safely without worrying about online safety.
Companies do know that “growth is key,” with that said, technological upgrades are done for better business outcomes for customers.
These transformations usually affect small businesses and large businesses alike, as change requires the participation of all departments or members to be involved. This is so as the transition then has to be understood by all be it, customers, who are the largest stakeholder, office members, or partners. While digital transformation is quite essential, it keeps our companies’ IT teams or provider of said service busy at all times. All IT companies are constantly researching to keep the pace going with security needs to ensure all affiliates are protected.
Believing it is safe to say most, security practitioners were not anticipating such a drastic shift in the digital transformation field and the weight it brings to the market affecting security. With this, organization and their various teams are always on point and have to stay that way for preparation and consumer protection. Security practitioners, as well as IT personals, have to keep abreast and updated as again the cannot be caught ill-prepared for any changes.
Digital Transformation Impact On Security
According to avast.com, small or mid-sized business (SMB) groups defines digital transformation as, “using digital technologies to create new or modify existing business processes, practices, models, cultures and customer experiences.” It also stats that data revealed that nearly 60% of SMBs are now familiar with the term and understand its meaning and is said to double in the past two (2) years.
It is a fact that all online activity can indeed impact your business in the way of cybersecurity. As employees in multiple industries and varied areas of a function, we all use one thing or another. What does impact your security level, from as simple as browsing the web, sending or accessing emails, or even the use of cloud storage opens us up for network infiltration?
Though digital transformation in a more condensed form is all about technology improving and the innovative drive of data to improve on business and how we serve, it is safe to say we have a long way to grow. Some key factors must be implemented in the growth as well; some are customer insight, efficiency in operation, and business agility enhancement.
Success In Transformation
A successful digital transformation is an aim for all companies, but we need to take a lot into the equation to accomplish this. So when looking at an organization (security practitioner or IT) with a high success rate in withstanding and securing your data, here is a list of things to consider.
- Network safeguard right across and always check for possible improvements
- Security practices are still in place
- The business system security architecture is unified and constant work is done to maintain
- Threat intelligence is shared across the company to keep all teams informed
- Their ability to reach out and assist strategically executing projects securely
Cyber Attacks That Tampers With Your Privacy
An increase in technology also increases the possibility of evolved cyber attacks and/or threats. As we get wiser in systems we use or measures to take, so do our hackers, whose aim is to compromise our systems, security, data, and other information, including account numbers, emails, and passwords. This interference can lead to theft of identity, loss of funds from a financial institution, and much more company devastation.
In this article, we hope to educate you on prevalent attacks that many cause from your online presence and actions that can be taken to mitigate and prevent further trouble.
What Are Some Common Cyber-Attacks?
SSL Stripping
What is SSL stripping? This is also known as an SSL downgrade attack and is an attack used to compass security enforces by the SSL certificates on websites. HTTP and HTTPs function in the request-response protocol, but they deem it more secure as for the request encryption through SSL.
SSL is a secure protocol used for communicating sensitive information; this information includes but not limited to banking details, email correspondence, to name a few. An encrypted connection between both parties creates this protocol’s security; this is usually a client application and a server. For a secure connection to be established in most scenarios, the following occurs.
- A user sends an unsecured HTTP request
- The server replies by HTTP and then redirects the user to a secure protocol (HTTPS).
- The secure session begins when the user submits a secure HTTPS.
For the SSL strip to happen, a hacker intercepts the redirected HTTP to the secure HTTPS protocol and interferes with requests between the user and server. The hacker proceeds to establish the connection (HTTPS) between her/himself and server, and an unsecured bond with the user, the hacker acting as a third party.
Help Of a VPN
A Previous article titled ‘Why Invest In A VPN’ informs you how a VPN can be your best option for hackers, identity theft, and generally cybercriminals. Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows users to have a secure connection to other networks via the internet; this is usually done remotely. A VPN hides your IP address, which then protects you from identity theft by encrypting your data; all this is done by routing you through a private network. With information encrypted being sent from the user to your intended location, data intercepted by hackers would be unreadable.
Min-in-the middle
A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack happens when the attacker/hacker intercepts the communication to inject malware to your device, be it PC or mobile. The MITM usually consists of three parties: the victim (user), the website, or entity the victim is attempting to communicate with and the interceptor/hacker.
The MITM methods are most times to steal the browser cookies, phishing, and to identify login credentials that are stored. These allow your attacker(s) to insert themselves between the victim and the intended entity to gain relevant credentials and other valuable information.
Fake Hotspots for Wi-Fi
One of the most natural things for hackers to do may be to set-u a false wi-fi hotspot name Barnes & Noble, McDonald, or everyone’s favorite Starbucks. These frauds would look most reputable and would be seen as convenient and identical to the network commonly used. Once connected to this network and data transmission begins, hackers will have access to all your details. This to the hacker is like “taking candy from a child.”
Packet Sniffing
This is considered as the gathering, collecting, and logging of possibly all that passes through your computer network. When using a website with an unprotected network can allow your hacker to attach hi/herself unto packets of information passing between you and the website trying to reach and process.
Why Invest In A VPN?
Multiple questions are surrounding the need and reasons to invest in a VPN. This article seeks to inform you of and answer the majority of issues surrounding the blur of VPN.
What is a VPN?
The abbreviation stands for Virtual Private Network; this is a virtual pathway between devices. A VPN allows its users to create a secure connection to other networks via the internet. With the feature of encryption, it safeguards your every move on the internet, be it working, shopping or banking, proves to be one of the best tools on the market to ensure your internet privacy.
How does a VPN work?
Did you know that VPNs were initially set up by Microsoft in 1996, to have employees remote securely to the company’s internal network?
Virtual Private Network (VPN) works by routing your traffic through a VPN server instead of sending it directly to your internet service provider. What this does is data that is transmitted via the internet, such as your online searches, uploads, and others appear to be coming from your VPN server and not your devices used for browsing.
In our previous article titled IP Address Security, you would have read how a VPN aids in protecting your IP address, which is a unique number associated with your home or office network. This unique number is visible to the web; hence investing in a VPN hides your IP address by rerouting your traffic, thus protecting your identity with the added encryption feature.
Why Use A VPN?
I recently had a conversation with a friend who asked me; why do I need to use a VPN? My answer was, why not? Not several people use the tool for varied privacy reasons. At that time, I thought we are more modernized, and everything is or can be done online.
Public Networks: public network wi-fi, which is found in your favorite places as your favorite coffee shop, and other areas are exceptionally high-risk. If a hacker is on this same open or public network, this individual will easily spy on your activity with the high potential of accessing and using your private information. Having a VPN secured network will have all hidden, and your identity secured.
Why Use a VPN In Home?: The VPN affords you the opportunity of IP address protection, but it also allows you to hide your internet provider. You may say that is not important, but you avoid discrimination of price and geo-blocks on media with it.
Six Reasons To Use A VPN
The piece of mind for secure connections where ever you go:
We mentioned the public network earlier. While it is not security or privacy correct, we all fall short of using that coffee shop wi-fi or the airport wi-fi as we need to connect, to check and reply to that email or simply view social media, I have. In doing that, we shared our information with multiple people in our location.
Accessing video streaming content where ever you travel worldwide:
True story: A year ago I took a trip to the Caribbean while on the island I decided to get connected to the internet and watch my favorite investigating series, only to find out it wasn’t available in my geo-location. My first shocker of many that could have been resolved with a VPN.
Seen that a VPN allows you to connect to a US-based server or an equivalent home server while you take those memorable trips, this has your streaming services thinking you are still at home.
Be safe shopping locally or internationally online:
We can’t deny the convenience and benefits of shopping from your most comforting spot (home or office), can’t deny online shopping.
A reminder from the previous article “website security” shop or disclose sensitive information only to SSL certified websites, which means your website should have the closed lock to the front of “https.” In this, the site is more secured for you.
Feel secure when banking online:
From the various conversations with customers and clients, one of the most important to both parties to secure other than their social security number (SSN) is their banking information. Your VPN provides an additional security layer, which puts your mind at ease because we all love the convenience of online banking.
Ability to remain anonymous:
Often we may hear the phrase, “our phones listen to us,” and that is true. We often search for items in our search engines, and they pop up on our social media page(s), which proves our devices listen but safe to say they provide answers.
Your VPN allows you to remain anonymous from shopping for flights to checking in your hotel room as these websites also track your activity.
What fears of public wi-fi?
It cannot be said too many times, airports and other places with public wi-fi offer you this opportunity to be entertained or busy while waiting on your flight or even coffee. You may not realize that this would be a hotspot for identity theft just waiting to happen.
Advantages of:
- Censorship avoidance: Though illegal in most cases to circumvent restricted government information sometimes it is necessary and a VPN allows that.
- Stream from any location: A VPN gives you the grand privilege to stream your favorite videos from whichever location you are.
- Beat price discrimination: Your location and internet service providers play a huge role in this area. Have you ever realize that your more sought after items from your browser usually populates your social media pages and other sites? Your VPN helps in minimizing in that department.
- Don’t be tracked: Cannot be said too many times a VPN adds that layer that hides you from hackers and other cyber type criminals.
Disadvantages of:
- VPN Blocked: I learned this at an inopportune time on my part, that companies do get wiser in detecting VPN. Here I was settled to stream one of my favorite series and the website gave me an error as it was detecting my VPN.
- No cookie protection: There are cookies that sole purpose is to make the websites work better, in those cases, the VPNs will not be able to block cookies. You are allowed with the privilege of deleting cookies that track or some virus protection such as AVAST that allows you a secure browser.
- Potential slow speed: This happens as there is a lot more pressure on website traffic putting it through a VPN, with all the steps of finding a private network.
- May not have complete privacy: This point must be most alarming. While your VPN blocks and secure from hackers, government entities, and any other lurkers, your VPN providers can see all activity if they wish.
Website Security
Congratulations, you have successfully launched your website but, is it all done? how secure is your website? and is it ready for business? These questions are the best to ask at the end of the project and just before launch. At this point we are thinking of potential cyberattacks, encourage potential visitors and maintaining your reputation. In this article, you are going to be informed of your new best-friend website security.
Now, What is Website Security? You might ask. This is an action or application taken to ensure the protection of website data is not exposed to cybercriminals or prevent exploitation of websites of any form, this is an ongoing and essential part of your website management.
Why is it Important and What does it Protect?
Website security is important as it protects as hacks, simple. Having security is just as important if not more than all other aspects. Look at it this way, no security results in potentially being hacked, being hacked can result in data loss, data loss results in a damaged reputation, possibly blacklisted, lawsuits and this can result in some huge fines.
Some of what you will be protected against are as listed:
Defacing: replacing your website content/material with other malicious data.
Malware: This can be used to steal sensitive information.
Blacklisting: The possibility of your website being removed for search engines.
All of the above shows lost and now results in favor of your or your business.
As for your users some of what the will be protected against includes:
Phishing: In most cases, this is found happening emails, however, this is now seen in various web browsers and is designed to trick the user into giving up sensitive information.
Malicious Redirect: In this case, the attack redirects the user from the intended site to another.
Stolen Data: Cybercriminals oftentimes attempt to save users’ data which may vary from as simple as your name to SSN and also payment information done online.
How Do You Secure Your Website?
There are many steps to take in securing a website, here goes to name a few:
Web Application Firewall: A web application firewall (WAF), stops automated attacks usually carried out by malicious bots that seeks to attack from your more vulnerable points to exploits or even slows down and crashes site through a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.
SSL Certificate: This certificate protects data collected by the website as it is being transferred to the server. Though considered a basic security measure a site on any browser labeled “insecure” is without an SSL certificate and is suggested to stay off.
The cost of an SSL certificate may vary depending on the site and their of at that moment. Some of the most popular sites to get your SSL certificate are:
- SSL.com
- Namecheap
- The SSL Store
- GoDaddy
- GlobalSign
- Digicert
Just to list a few and you will see that all sites offer to vary in prices.
Though we have only touched the surface of what website security is remember, “a breach in your website security cost more the longer it stays”.