Cyber threats are attacks that compromise security protocols, steal data, and disrupt operations. These cyberattacks can take on a variety of forms and have serious consequences for businesses, individuals, and national security. Those consequences range from the loss of private information to financial implications, intellectual property theft, damage to business reputation, and even shutting down a company.
The most common cyber threat is malware, which is software that exploits or damages a computer system. This includes viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, ransomware, and adware. These types of attacks target a wide range of devices and applications, from desktops and laptops to internet-connected smart thermostats or smoke detectors. The attacks can be designed to steal confidential data, contaminate build or update processes, or even hijack entire systems by launching denial of service attacks.
Attackers can also use a variety of social engineering tactics to trick users into compromising security protocols. For example, attackers can spoof DNS (Domain Name Server) or IP addresses to divert users to malicious websites that masquerade as legitimate ones. Attackers can also use phishing emails to distribute spam and spoofed URLs to trick users into visiting sites where attackers will try to steal their credentials.
As more and more of our personal and business devices become connected to the internet, we’re exposed to an ever-growing number of cybersecurity threats. However, taking precautions like adopting strong passwords, updating software, and watching for suspicious activity can help prevent the most common cyberattacks and keep your device and information safe from harm.