Written By: Saniya Kalamkar
Cybersecurity, or IT security, is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. Cyberattacks are often aimed to access or destroy sensitive data, disrupt business operations, and extort money. They can occur inside or outside of an organization. With the ongoing advancements in technology, cybercrime is rising rapidly, making the cybersecurity industry more important than ever.
Common cyber threats include the following:
1. Malware
Malware is software that infects, explores, or steals information that that attacker desires. They are increasingly able to get around antivirus software. This can include ransomware, bonet software, spyware, and viruses.
2. Backdoors
A backdoor attack is an undocumented way of accessing a computer system.
3. Formjacking
Formjacking is when malicious code is incorporated into a website’s form page, often to steal user information.
4. Crypto Jacking
Crypto Jacking is the unauthorized usage of a computer to mine cryptocurrency. This is often achieved by malicious links or infecting a website.
5. DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks
DDoS attacks are when servers, systems, and networks are unavailable to users. Hackers achieve this by overwhelming a computer by sending thousands of requests.
Cyber security can be split up into five different areas.
1. Network security
Network security addresses vulnerabilities in operating systems and network architecture, such as servers and hosts, firewall, and network protocols.
2. Cloud security
Cloud security involves securing data, applications and infrastructure in the Cloud.
3. IoT (Internet of Things) security
IoT security involves securing smart devices and networks that are connected to the IoT, such as smart fire alarms, lights, thermostats (things that connect to the internet without human interaction).
4. Application security
Application security involves addressing vulnerabilities in the design, coding and publishing of software or a website.