What Exactly is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is using technology to safeguard computer systems, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, and networks from cyberattacks. Information technology security is defending electronic systems and data from harmful intrusions. Cybersecurity allows you to trade, talk, and surf the Internet without worry of illegal access to your data.

What Exactly is Cybersecurity

Types of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity protects hardware, software, data, and other internet-connected systems against cyber attacks. It prohibits unauthorized access to data systems. Different sections of Cybersecurity are not entirely exclusive. We have put together five types for you to know:

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity protects the assets, systems, and networks that are necessary for the continuity of ‘life as we know it’ from cyber threats. It secures systems at a national level, such as the financial sector, energy supply, transportation, hospitals, etc, that are essential to everyone.

Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Network Security

Since most cyberattacks occur via the network, network security blocks these attacks as they identify them. Network security involves data and access controls that protect your company’s network or server from attackers.

Network Security

Internet of Things (IoT)

Cyber threat actors constantly search for unprotected devices that connect to the internet for their activities. IoT security ensures your internet-connected devices and their networks have adequate protection.

Internet Things

Cloud Security

Companies and individuals everywhere use cloud computing to store data, so cloud security is the top priority. It protects cloud-based systems and stored data against attack.

Cloud Security

Application Security

Web applications are a common target of malicious intent. Application Security protects important information received from apps. This type of security starts at the development stage before the applications reach the end users and continue when performing regular updates.

Application security

Cybersecurity Threat Types

Numerous security dangers have been linked to Internet use since its creation. These threats range in intensity from a slight annoyance to a massive hostile attack. Scientists have identified numerous security concerns; however, we will discuss only five.

Theft of Passwords

When you log into your account and discover someone has changed your password and stolen your information. There is a reasonable risk that the third party stole or guessed your password and has subsequently used it against you. This identity theft is worse for a business, which may lose essential data. Attackers sometimes employ “brute force” tools to attempt to breach your password and sensitive information several times. As a result, two-factor authentication is advised as a robust security measure.

This strategy will necessitate using an additional device to complete the login, and employing such complicated logins prevents brute force attacks.

Theft of Passwords

Attacks Using Phishing

Despite being an older assault method, phishing schemes rely on social engineering to achieve their objectives. In this strategy, an end user receives a message requesting sensitive data, such as a password. The phishing message may appear professional, employing legitimate-looking addresses and media. This alert message forces a person to click on links and inadvertently disclose critical information.

In this scenario, common sense is the best prevention. Spelling and syntactic problems are common in phishing emails. Official emails from organizations do not request personal information.

Social Engineering

DDoS Attacks

DDoS is an assault in which hostile actors target servers and overload them with user traffic. When a server cannot handle incoming requests, the website it hosts goes down or drops to ineffective performance levels.
This assault is why servers are occasionally pulled offline for maintenance. The malicious IPs used in the attack are identified and removed during maintenance.

Prevent DDoS Attacks

Malware Programs

Malware is when unwanted software or programming installs itself on a target system and causes strange behavior. This behavior includes blocking program access, destroying data, stealing information, and spreading it to other computers. The best defense against malware is to take preventative measures. Large businesses or users should have the most up-to-date anti-malware software installed. Spotting questionable links, files, software, or websites is also critical, as these are efficient methods of delivering malware.

Malware Program

Trojan Horse Virus

A Trojan horse attack occurs when malware tries to deliver its malicious program by masquerading as genuine software. Their popular technique is to “alert” the user and request a scan, during which the virus is delivered. You can avoid this by not downloading programs from unknown providers or those that attempt to alert the user to a significant problem.

Torjan Horse Malware

Cyber Threat Actors

A threat actor or malicious actor is an individual or group that executes cyber attacks in the digital sphere on purpose. They target devices, systems, networks, and servers, exploiting their weaknesses and causing harm. The five most common types of Cyber threat actors are:

Cyber Scammers

Cybercriminals are behind most cyber attacks on the internet. These individuals or groups use technology to hack into digital systems to steal sensitive information and personal data. They trade the information on the dark web or use it to harm you for their financial gain.

Cyber Scammers

Privileged Insiders

Insider threats are becoming more and more rampant in organizations. They are of two types: malicious insiders and incautious insiders. Malicious insiders have access to company networks and resources they use for their profit and the company’s detriment. Incautious insiders are careless individuals that make it possible for threat actors to gain access.

Privileged Insiders

Nation-state Actors

These hackers receive funding and support from nation-states to perform cyber attacks on other government entities, such as cyberwarfare, infrastructure sabotage, espionage, media manipulation, etc. They are usually well-outfitted and so are harder to detect.

Nation State Actors

Hacktivists Groups

Hacktivists are hackers that focus on creating awareness or exposing the truth about organizations that appear shady. Government, big corporations, and wealthy individuals are their primary targets, and they attack them by leaking information to the public that can harm their target.

Hacktivists Groups

Terrorist Movements

They perform a digital form of terrorism called cyberterrorism, where they cause damage in order to further their agendas. They target the credibility of critical infrastructure, citizens, state machinery, and agencies.

Terrorist Movements

Cybersecurity Dynamics

The worldwide cyber threat is evolving rapidly, with increasing data breaches occurring every year. As the scope of the cyber threat grows, so does spending on cybersecurity solutions. Governments worldwide have issued recommendations to help firms develop strong policies to strengthen cyber-security.
Organizations must protect themselves against hackers’ present and future tools and strategies as the cyber threat landscape evolves.

The cybersecurity threat is growing, representing a new cycle of cyber risks. We have seen five generations of cyber dangers and methods to combat them to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of cybersecurity? Up
With an expanding number of users and a flood of data, most of it is sensitive, and the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. And with the increasing volume and sophistication of cyber attackers and attack strategies, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly crucial.
Who is the target audience for cybersecurity? Up
Everyone who has access to the Internet requires cyber security. This is because most cyber attacks are automated and designed to exploit common weaknesses rather than specific people. As a result, you require cybersecurity as long as you have internet access.
How can you defend yourself from cyberattacks? Up
You can defend yourself against cyberattacks if you implement some basic security precautions. Two-step authentication, substantial and complicated passwords, and regularly updating all your applications and gadgets are all strategies to defend yourself from cyber-attacks. Other precautions include being cautious when downloading and opening files from unknown sources and suspicious emails and using a top-notch VPN, like ExtremeVPN, particularly when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
What are the career opportunities in cybersecurity? Up
Cybersecurity is integral to every company strategy; even the government prioritizes it. The industry is still growing but is very lucrative. Career paths include Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Cybersecurity Engineer, Security Architect, Malware Analyst, Penetration Tester, Cloud Security Specialist, Application Security Engineer, Database Administrator, Computer Forensics Analyst, Incident Manager, etc.