Common Cyber Threats

Phishing scams are fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from a trustworthy source and request sensitive information. To resolve this threat, educate employees to recognize phishing scams, do not click on suspicious links, and verify the sender before entering personal information.

Weak passwords can easily be cracked by hackers. To resolve this threat, encourage yourself and employees to use strong and unique passwords, whilst enabling two-factor authentication where possible.

Outdated software can contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cyber criminals. To resolve this threat, ensure that all software and systems are regularly updated to the latest versions.

Outdated hardware can contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cyber criminals. To resolve this threat, regularly replace outdated hardware with newer, more secure devices.

Malicious websites can infect a user’s device with malware. To resolve this threat, be aware of key indications that give away the illegitimacy of these websites. Also educate employees to avoid visiting unfamiliar websites and keep their antivirus software up-to-date.

Cyber criminals often target unpatched systems as they are more vulnerable to attacks. To resolve this threat, regularly update all software and systems to fix vulnerabilities. Don’t put off important system updates as these are vital in keeping your data secure from attacks.

Social engineering attacks rely on human interaction and trickery to obtain sensitive information. An example of this could be an attacker posing as a legitimate person, who is trusted by the victim,  that exploits such trust to gain access to sensitive data such as login or payment details. To resolve this threat, be aware of and educate employees on how to identify and avoid social engineering attacks.

Rogue mobile apps can contain malware or steal personal information. To resolve this threat, only download apps from trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and keep mobile devices updated with the latest security patches.

Unsecured Wi-Fi networks can allow cyber criminals to intercept sensitive information. To resolve this threat, ensure that Wi-Fi networks are password-protected and use encryption.

Insufficient backups can result in the loss of valuable data in the event of a drive corruption or ransomware attack. To resolve this threat, regularly backup important data and store backups in a secure, offsite location.