What Are The 4 Most Likely Cyberattacks And What To Do About Them

Security Networking services are designed to protect internal company infrastructures and connected devices from undesired access, mishandling, and attacks. There are three components of network security: hardware, software, and cloud services.

A company’s network security strategy hopefully includes taking some uniform safeguards to protect data and withstand malicious cyberattacks. The question is, are businesses fighting the right cyber fight? CSO and cybersecurity consultant, Roger A. Grimes, thinks the four most likely cyberattacks companies will experience are socially engineered malware, password phishing attacks, unpatched software, and social media threats.

WHAT IS SOCIALLY ENGINEERED MALWARE?

Social engineering is the term used for a wide scope of malicious actions achieved through human interactivities. It uses subconscious or behavioral manipulation to trick users into making security mistakes or giving away sensitive information.

HOW DANGEROUS IS SOCIAL ENGINEERING?

Social engineering is very dangerous because of the component of human error by authorized users and not indubitably a defect in software or operating systems. So, it is important to understand how and in what ways human beings are manipulated by social engineers to accomplish their goals.

Phishing: to steal information by using strategies that may include deceptive emails, websites, and text messages.

Spear Phishing: a fraudulent way of sending emails from a known or trusted sender to induce targeted individuals or businesses to reveal confidential information.

Vishing: fraudulent practice of making phone calls or leaving urgent voice mails to convince victims they need to act quickly to protect themselves from arrest or other risk.

Pretexting: a method of using a false identity and scenario to trick victims into divulging information they shouldn’t.

Baiting: an online and physical social engineering attack that promises the victim a reward.

Water-Holing: a computer attack strategy where an attacker guesses or observes which websites a company uses and infects them with malware.

Malware: designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorized access to a computer system from victims who are tricked into believing that malware is installed on their computer and that if they pay, the malware will be removed.

Quid Pro Quo: attacker calls random numbers at a business claiming to be calling back for technical support. When eventually finds a user to talk about a concern, an exchange of information or service is used to convince the victim to act.

WHAT ARE PASSWORD PHISHING ATTACKS?

Email spam or junk mail is unsolicited messages sent in bulk and may be as high as 70 percent, some being close replications of permissible communications. Password phishing is a type of social engineering attack often used to steal user login passwords and credentials. It occurs when an attacker, masquerading as a trusted institution, hoodwinks a victim into opening an email, instant message, or text message.

WHAT IS UNPATCHED SOFTWARE?

Every software has the possibility to have bugs and loopholes. After a program’s initial release, software companies strive towards fixes or patches for these flaws. They offer continuous updates that include these changes. Unpatched software means there are vulnerabilities in a program or code that a company is cognizant of and will not or cannot fix.

WHAT ARE SOCIAL MEDIA THREATS?

Malicious apps, spyware, and viruses have made their way onto social media and into related apps. While it’s not easy to pass viruses through Facebook or LinkedIn, it’s easier for hackers to compromise the apps employees may have on their smartphones that permit them to post to these sites. Social platform passwords may also unlock the corporate network. Hackers have incredible skills at alarming victims on social media sites. Look out for the following:

Blindly clicking on fake links received by email or in messenger.
Oversharing of real information or hints to frequently used passwords
Fake Apps loaded with viruses
Real Apps that sell your data
Fake give always
Identity theft
Invading private information
Unbelievable news that is really malware
False personal profiles
Fake friends or followers

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO COUNTER CYBERATTACKS?

Network security services by an IT support company in Dallas can work with a business to protect their company’s networks, critical infrastructure, and sensitive data from cyberattacks, hacking attempts, and employee negligence. These include technology solutions tools such as

Network Assessment to identify opportunities for improvement and get a comprehensive view and current state of existing IT infrastructure, management, security, processes, and performance.

Firewall setup to monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic and decide whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of security rules

Intrusion Detection System to monitor a network or systems for malicious activity or policy violation and flagged when somebody is trying to break in

Network-based antivirus programs to look at data (webpages, files, software, applications) traveling over the network to your devices and seeks to block or remove malware as quickly as possible.

Strong and Complex Passwords: to ensure everything within the network is protected by strong and complex passwords and not by default and easily guessable ones. Also, the setup and use of a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Unpatched software to be continuously checked and regular updates performed.

Business Continuity Plan to create systems of prevention, backup and recovery for dealing with potential threats to the company.

Network security services by a Managed IT company is designed to protect the usability and integrity of a company’s network and data. It includes both hardware and software technologies. It targets a variety of threats. It stops them from entering or spreading on your business network.

Need help shoring up your cybersecurity strategy or network defenses? TeamLogic IT Plano provides outstanding network security services Dallas and in Plano. Call us today at 469.573.3743 or contact us at teamlogicitplanotx.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NETWORK SECURITY SERVICES?

IS CYBERSECURITY AND NETWORK SECURITY THE SAME?

Network security is a subcategory of cybersecurity. The objective is to protect any data that is being sent through devices in your network to ensure that the information is not changed or intercepted.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF NETWORK THREATS?

Viruses are the most common cause of network threats with 10.5 billion malware attacks reported between 2015 and 2019. A computer virus attack on your network can bring about irreparable damage to your system.

WHAT ATTACKS ARE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TO PREVENT AND DISCOVER?

Insider attacks are one of the most difficult to prevent and discover. They come in the form of malicious attacks or human error. The main point to be learned is that the human component needs close monitoring. These attacks have the potential to cause great losses both to your business and the people relying on it.