What You Need to Know About Cybersecurity

Have you ever paid attention to how unsafe online space is? If not, check out some of these statistics. By 2022, the security market could command up to $170.4 billion. As of 2018, 62% of businesses had had their share of social engineering and phishing attacks. 

Within the first half of 2019, over 4.1 billion records were exposed due to data breaches. From 2018, cybersecurity rose by an astonishing 67%.

It is not possible for us to highlight all the statistics around cybersecurity. Those that we have shared above are a good indicator that online security is a big issue.

It is something you need to pay close attention to. It could affect you at a personal or corporate level. The result is people who should not have access to information get it. 

Our article will look at data security and what you need to know about cybersecurity. As someone who uses the online space, it is a subject you need to pay very close attention to.

Terms You Need To Be Aware Of

Before we go into the article, it is important to know certain terms. You may have had people use data security, cybersecurity, and data protection interchangeably.  But are they the same thing?  Let’s define every one of them for a clearer understanding.

Data Security or Information Security

Data security brings together a broad range of techniques to protect data. Data may fall into the wrong hands, whether intentionally or accidentally. It may result in unauthorized modification, disclosure, or destruction of the same.

Data security looks at the methods you would use to avoid such incidents. It incorporates the use of administrative or logical controls to limit access. You use different methods, including:

1. Encryption so that only the person with the key can access the data
2. Masking so that you hide specific sections away from unauthorized persons
3. Erasure means total removal of information
4. Backups in which you create copies for future use if you no longer have access to the original. 

[RELATED TOPIC: Data Privacy vs. Data Security]

Data security is about allowing access or modification of data to only those who you authorize.

Data Privacy

Data privacy, on the other hand, is about legal control concerning data access or use. You will, therefore, find that data security plays a significant role in data protection.  

Data privacy incorporates all the steps you will take to handle, process, and store and use personal information. Data privacy takes into consideration your rights as an individual. Such include proper management of your data. 

Data privacy looks at policies or contracts around the collecting of such information. It also covers all the applicable regulatory laws. Many countries have laws in place around privacy issues. You have a right to keep your information safe away from prying eyes or intrusion. 

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity refers to prevention, detection, or response to an attack. The attacks could be occurring in cyberspace or electronic devices. The latter includes computers, mobile devices, networks, and servers.

The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) defines cybersecurity as all activities necessary to protect cyberspace, its users, and impacted persons from cyber threats.

Cybersecurity And What It Means To You

When a burglar tries to access your premises, they are after something. The intent is to cause havoc and to steal. The same happens in the online space. Cybercriminals are always on the prowl. They are out to steal data, hardware, or software.

The resulting loss to corporates and individuals runs into millions of dollars. Sharing your information on an insecure platform exposes you to such criminals. Before you know it, someone is stealing from you in the digital space.

Cybersecurity is the process of guarding against unauthorized access to internet data or systems.

Understanding The Different Types Of Threats On The Cyberspace

You need to understand the type of threats that contribute to Cyber insecurity. Cybercriminals will try to access personal information, networks, or different software and hardware.

It is important to understand where the vulnerabilities come from. They include:

1. Attacks from the internet including malware and spyware
2. User-generated vulnerabilities such as weak passwords or careless handling of personal data
3. System weaknesses in the software or hardware

Threats & methods

You will find threats in the form of malware attacks, which come in the form of spyware, Trojan horses, viruses, or worms. Malware is very destructive because they tend to self-replicate. It can spread very fast and cause a lot of damage:

• Trojans disguise themselves as software. When you upload it to your computer, it causes serious damage.
  
• Spyware works in stealth mode. It will secretly record your activities while online. It is one of the methods hackers used to get credit card information.
• Ransomware is when a cyber-criminal hijacks your systems. You must then pay the ransom for them to release it back to you
• SQL injection will steal or take control of your data right from the database. Hackers will use malicious code to gain access
  
• Social engineering takes advantage of human interactions to gain sensitive information
• Phishing uses emails that have malicious code in them. When you open them, it gives hackers access to sensitive information.
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are like a burglar who moves in, and you never know he is there. The aim usually is to steal data. It is common in areas like defense, finance, and manufacturing.

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field. Hackers are always working hard to improve their craft. With new technologies come new vulnerabilities. Organizations and individuals must stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity techniques. It is important to stay safe while online.

Cybersecurity Categories

Cybersecurity is a broad and very lucrative field with good reason. There are so many types of attacks, as we have already highlighted above. Governments, corporations, and individuals will spare no expense to stay safe while online. There are different categories to cybersecurity, and they include:

•  Network security that uses appropriate measures to guard your computer network
•  Information Security gives privacy to data while in storage or transit
•  Application security aims at keeping devices or software free from threats
• Operational security determines who has access to data in an organization. It also looks at the handling and decision-making around networks and procedures
• End-user security that aims at educating people on proper internet use.

Steps To Take To Increase Your Security When Online

Online security begins with you. There are certain things you could be doing that you should stop immediately. Here are some things you can start implementing today to help guard your safety while online.

• Do not make it easy for hackers by having easy passwords.
• Do not give access to unauthorized individuals to your data. It starts with restricting who has access to your internet networks. Place limits on the number of people who have access to sensitive information.
• Install the right security software and firewalls
• Run constant system upgrades and updates. you will enjoy the latest security features
• Educate those around you on the importance of cybersecurity.
• Always check that your security measures are up-to-date. Upgrade them as necessary.
• Install proxy servers so that you can block any questionable web content. Proxy servers will also filter traffic and remove any harmful ones.
• Web scraping proxies provide anonymity and privacy when online. Hackers will not be able to see your IP address, thus keeping you safe.
•  Check your activities online. Things like peer-to-peer file-sharing and downloading of torrents can expose you to hackers.
• Avoid the use of public Wi-Fi, do not share important information like credit card details if you must use it.
• Be watchful of the sites you visit. Avoid those that do not have security badges such as HTTPS.

Final Thoughts

The online space has so much to offer. There is potential to learn, make money, and so much more. However, you must be very careful and take steps to ensure cybersecurity. Arm yourself with relevant knowledge to know exactly what you are facing. Our article on data security: everything you need to know about cybersecurity should be a good place to start.