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Common Network Security Risks - ThreatAdvice

As technology evolves and advances, our reliance on it grows ever stronger. As most of our day-to-day business operations are online or accessed through digital tools, it is vital to be more vigilant than ever before to take strong precautions against network security threats.

Your organization can develop more comprehensive strategies and procedures to ensure that you are protected from common network security threats if your company is aware of them.

SQL injection attacks

An SQL injection attack is one of the greatest network security threats, and it is particularly significant that it targets data-driven websites that use SQL. In these assaults, malicious code is used to obtain sensitive information, modify, and even eliminate it, thus jeopardizing the integrity of websites and data confidentiality.

Internal security threats

Human error accounts for over 90% of cyberattacks. Phishing attacks, careless sharing of data, weak passwords, and other issues are common examples of human error. This may result in downtime, financial losses, and a loss of customer trust when it comes to insider activities that negatively impact your company's network or sensitive information.

Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)

DDos attacks cause websites to crash, malfunction, or load slowly. In these instances, criminals infect internet-connected devices (such as mobile phones, computers, etc.) and turn them into bots. Victims' IP addresses are then inundated with requests from bots sent by hackers. This results in a high volume of internet traffic bombarding the website and causing it to go offline. It is difficult to distinguish between legitimate and compromised traffic in these attacks.

Rogue security software

Rogue security programs mislead businesses into thinking their IT infrastructure is damaged because of a virus. They appear as warning messages sent by a reputable anti-malware solution. A rogue program infects a device and then spam messages at the victim, forcing them to pay for a non-existent security solution.

Malware

Malicious actors can use a compromised device to gather information about victims through malicious software. After a successful deployment, hackers can mine devices for classified information (email addresses, bank accounts, passwords, etc.) and use them to commit identity theft, blackmail, or other business-damaging actions.

Malware can include:

  • Rootkits: provide an attacker with unauthorized access to a system, impersonating authorized users and granting them fraudulent access privileges.
  • Worms: exploit vulnerabilities in systems to spread across networks and devices
  • Trojans: slip past a network's defenses by piggybacking on legitimate software and give hackers extraordinary access to systems.
  • Spyware: is installed without your knowledge and may include keyloggers that record personal information such as email addresses, passwords, and credit card numbers

Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts victim's files and holds them for ransom, forcing victims to pay for decryption keys to regain access. Ransomware as a service (RaaS) is an example of this, where ransomware developers sell codes that allow customers to create their own malicious software and launch cyber-attacks. BlackMatter, LockBit, DarkSide, and REvil are all examples of RaaS.

Phishing attacks

Social engineering is becoming more of a threat to networks every day, with 90% of security breaches occurring as a result of phishing attacks. Hackers send emails that appear to be from a trusted entity and attempt to gain access to networks and steal personal information such as credit card information in phishing attacks. Victims are tricked into clicking on malicious links or downloading malware-laden attachments.

Viruses

Computer viruses are frequently attached to downloadable files from emails or websites. Once you open the file, the virus takes advantage of vulnerabilities in your software to infect your computer with malicious code, disrupting network traffic, stealing data, and more.

Protect your organization’s network

There are many ways for companies to protect their data and networks from malicious hackers and natural disasters. While you and your staff can outsource many of these procedures to a managed security service provider (MSSP), you must remain vigilant and responsive to potential risks.

Protect your network with these tips:

  • Backup data and files
  • Invest in a robust and comprehensive security awareness training program for all employees
  • Promote a security-first culture from the top down within your organization
  • Restrict access to your network security controls to authorized users only
  • Keep an eye on your network with vulnerability scanning tools and ensure devices are secure

Taking network security seriously can greatly reduce the chances of your business becoming a victim of data breaches and losing money and time. The cybersecurity experts at ThreatAdvice specialize in protecting business networks with cutting-edge solutions and services. Talk to ThreatAdvice today and improve your network security posture and empower your business.

 

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