When it comes to cyber threats, there are two main categories:
Malicious Software
Malicious software is any program or file that causes harm to your computer or network. It can be an executable file (such as a virus), a script file (a script is a series of commands that your computer follows when you run them), or a macro (a series of instructions that you can run from within Microsoft Word). The most common malicious software is viruses and worms.
Viruses
A virus is a piece of malicious software that replicates itself by copying itself into other files. A typical virus will infect your computer, and then use its own code to spread itself to other computers on your local area network (LAN) or over the Internet. Some viruses may be so sophisticated that they can even hide themselves in legitimate files. When this happens, the virus will not do anything until you actually open the file, at which point it will attempt to infect your computer.
Worms
A worm is a piece of malicious software designed to replicate itself. Unlike a virus, which infects one computer at a time, a worm spreads itself to every computer on your LAN or across the Internet. Worms typically spread by copying themselves from infected computer to infected computer. If you receive a file that has been infected by a worm, you should immediately delete it. Worms are also known as Trojans, and are sometimes called ‘ransomware’.
Cyber Attacks
Cyber attacks are deliberate attempts to disrupt computer systems. These attacks can range from simple denial of service attacks to complete destruction of data. The purpose of these attacks can be for political reasons, such as the attack on Estonia’s websites in 2007, or for financial gain, such as the recent attack on Target’s network in late 2013.
Denial of Service Attacks
A denial of service attack occurs when a person or group sends too many requests to a server, causing it to become overloaded and unable to respond to legitimate requests. This can be accomplished by flooding the server with large numbers of requests, either through a single request, or by sending requests to different IP addresses. Denial of service attacks are often used to make a website unavailable to users, or to make a website appear slow. They can also be used to prevent users from accessing important websites, such as banks, or to send emails to people who have requested that their email address not be sent to them.
Distributed Denial of Service Attacks
In a distributed denial of service attack, multiple computers are used to send requests to a server. For example, if 10 people were to visit a website at the same time, each person could be using his or her own personal computer to access the site. However, if 10 people were to all use the same computer, they would be able to overload the server.
Attacks Against Infrastructure
A Distributed Denial of Service Attack can be used against an entire infrastructure, such as an electrical grid or water supply system. In order to cause damage, the attacker must take control of some of the components of the infrastructure. For example, if an attacker controls a power plant, he or she could cause damage by shutting down the power plant, or by causing a blackout.
Information Leakage
Information leakage occurs when information is made available to the public without authorization. Examples include the release of private information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, or medical records. Information leakage can also occur when a company releases proprietary information to a competitor, such as the formula for a new product.
Phishing
Phishing is the act of attempting to obtain sensitive information from an unsuspecting user by pretending to be someone else. For example, a phisher may call you and pretend to be a bank, asking for your password and PIN number. Phishers often use social engineering to convince their victims to give up information.
Social Engineering
Social engineering is the process of manipulating another person into revealing information. For example, a phishing attack may involve sending an email to a potential victim, which appears to come from a trusted source. The email contains a link to a fake website, which contains the login credentials for a real website. By convincing the user to enter the login information, the phisher is able to obtain the user’s login credentials. SRS Networks provides you quality cybersecurity services.
The Internet is a place where we can do business, research, play games, and connect with friends. But it is also a place where criminals can hide, steal from you, and even hurt you. This is why it is important to know what a cyber threat is, and how to protect yourself against them.
What is a Cyber Threat?
A cyber threat is any activity that takes place on the Internet. The most common cyber threats include phishing scams, spam, viruses, and malware. These are all illegal activities that can cause harm to your computer and/or your personal information.
Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are one of the most common types of cyber threats. Phishing scams involve an email or instant message that asks for sensitive information such as usernames and passwords. When you provide this information, the scammer can gain access to your account and use your identity to commit other crimes.
Spam
Spam is another common type of cyber threat. Spam is unsolicited emails that come from a source that does not belong to the sender. Most spam emails are advertisements, but some are malicious. They may contain spyware or adware that installs software on your computer without your knowledge. This software can slow down your computer, make your computer vulnerable to attacks, or steal personal information.
Viruses
Viruses are pieces of software that can infect your computer and cause problems. Viruses can delete files, damage your computer’s registry, or install additional software on your computer without your permission. They can also spread to other computers through e-mail or shared networks.
Malware
Malware is software that can cause problems on your computer. Malware can slow down your computer, delete files, or install additional software on it without your permission. Some malware is designed to steal your personal information and send it to someone else. Other malware can send spam or cause your computer to crash.
How to Protect Yourself Against Cyber Threats
If you receive a suspicious email or instant message, don’t open it. Instead, forward the email or message to your local police department or call the number listed in the email. You should also keep your anti-virus software updated so that it can protect you from these threats.
Cyber threats can be dangerous. If you suspect that you have been a victim of a cyber threat, contact your local law enforcement agency. You may be able to file a report online. To resolve all the security threats issues visit IT Security Services California for more information.