The rise of technology means the world is now more connected today than ever before. Phones, laptops, and countless other devices plug vital information into the well of knowledge that is the internet. But whenever there’s a chance to steal this data, hackers will be waiting to pounce on the opportunity. Protecting your network from external threats is incredibly important—both for companies and individuals—but what are you to do with so many types of cybersecurity attacks to safeguard against?
Read on the discover more about cybersecurity, including the following:
The more you understand about cybersecurity attacks, the better equipped your company will be when and if hackers attempt to breach your network. Before diving deeper into the types of cybersecurity attacks, it’s essential to distinguish between attacks, vulnerabilities, and risks.
In simplest terms, security vulnerabilities pop up in your network because of old and outdated software, unsecured WiFi, or a lack of firewalls. While these weaknesses don’t pose any threats alone, they present opportunities for hackers to infiltrate your network. Using many types of cybersecurity attacks, they then attempt to breach your network security by targeting these openings. The resulting attack puts your network at risk of data loss and corrupted software.
There are numerous types of cybersecurity attacks in the hacker’s toolbox. They include:
Malware is malicious software that sneaks into networks by being installed, purchased, or downloaded without the user’s knowledge. Once malware has sunk its fangs into your system, it can cause various issues, such as slowing down your processor, corrupting data, and even sending information without your permission.
Common malware examples include the following:
When secure company data has been made available to external sources that shouldn’t have access, there’s a good chance it was due to an SQL attack. These types of attacks manipulate the SQL coding into granting them permission to view and use delicate information. A fortified firewall can generally keep these types of attacks at bay, but only if it is properly managed and updated accordingly.
Eavesdropping, otherwise referred to as “traffic interception,” is a type of cyberattack in which a person or organization intercepts sensitive information being sent between two parties. This can include passwords, emails, log-in credentials, and other critical data. This is especially common among compromised websites or those without a reliable VPN.
Social engineering attacks are elaborate schemes performed by threat actors—people or organizations that aim to trick users into relinquishing data or control of their systems. These vulnerabilities are especially dangerous because there’s more room for direct human error than something like a firewall. Unaware and untrained users can be fooled into handing system controls over to a stranger with ill intent without even knowing it.
Social engineering tactics can be used through the following means:
Distributed Denial of Service—or DDOS—attacks a company’s servers by spamming them with more traffic than they can handle. When the servers are then overloaded with too much data, their accompanying websites slow to a crawl, making them virtually unusable or shutting down systems entirely. Because these attacks are often performed using multiple IP addresses, they can take time to identify, temporarily taking the servers offline for maintenance.
These are only a handful of the most common types of cybersecurity attacks in a hacker’s arsenal, but there are many more. Thankfully, there are preventative measures companies can take to stop these attacks from occurring.
While awareness of the many types of cybersecurity attacks helps you know which potential threats to watch out for, it doesn’t necessarily solve the problem. The quickest and most reliable solution to all your network security issues is to utilize a managed IT service.
As third-party providers, IT service companies handle your network security for you. Generally, once or twice a year, they perform recurring IT assessments to analyze the current state of your systems. This is important, as it allows them to detect faults in your network security before they can be exploited. Then, by creating a detailed report, they use the results to tighten up your security and make any necessary updates.
Letting a trusted provider take the reins of your company’s IT management allows you and your team to put more energy into daily tasks that keep operations running efficiently—all while maintaining a safe and secure network at a fraction of the cost. And for those that require IT support in Utah, you’re in luck.
If you’re looking for an IT service company in Utah that can handle all your network security needs, you’ve come to the right place. At Onward Technology, we aim to build strong relationships with our clients to let them know their data is in good hands. Years of experience have honed our IT skills into what they are today, allowing us to make your network security air-tight using recurring assessments and reports that identify potential issues.
Are you ready to hand your network security to a professional? Consider partnering with Onward Technology. As your trusted network security team, we’ll keep your data secure and answer any questions you may have.
