In today’s digital era, businesses are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. The rise of digital transformations means that valuable and sensitive data is being moved onto online systems, making successful breaches more profitable. Additionally, launching a cyberattack has become more accessible with the availability of exploit kits, malware-as-a-service offerings, and open-source AI tools. In order to help businesses defend against common cyber threats, TechRepublic has consolidated expert advice on the following:
1. Social engineering attacks: These attacks involve manipulating individuals to obtain information about an organization. They can take the form of phishing, baiting, whaling, or business email compromise.
2. Zero-day exploits: Zero-day exploits are vulnerabilities and loopholes in code that are unknown to software vendors and security researchers. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to internal networks and valuable data. Protection measures include keeping software up to date, installing intrusion detection systems, and implementing endpoint security solutions.
3. Ransomware attacks and data theft: Ransomware is malware that encrypts data and demands payment from victims to regain access. Attackers can also steal and leak data. To protect against these attacks, businesses should regularly back up data, keep software updated, install anti-ransomware solutions, and implement multifactor authentication.
4. IoT attacks: IoT devices are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. Weak security in these devices makes them vulnerable to attacks such as ransomware deployment, control for sabotage, and botnet attacks. Businesses can protect themselves by maintaining an updated inventory of IoT devices, using strong passwords, keeping devices updated, and implementing network firewalls.
5. Supply chain attacks: Cybercriminals target organizations by compromising less secure vendors in their supply chain. This can involve manipulating software code or exploiting vulnerabilities in digital systems. Protection measures include conducting audits of third-party involvement, reviewing software updates before deployment, and implementing a zero-trust architecture.
6. AI deepfakes: Deepfakes are being used in cyberattacks to impersonate trusted individuals and deceive organizations. They can be distributed through email, video and phone calls, or used to trick authentication methods. To protect against deepfakes, businesses should incorporate the risks into regular risk assessments, be aware of common indicators of deepfake content, and implement phishing-resistant multifactor authentication.
By following these protection measures, businesses can strengthen their cybersecurity defenses and reduce the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.
