What is Cybersecurity- Definition, Best Practices and More – Techbytes

Cybersecurity, also known as information technology security, is the use of technology to protect systems like software, hardware, and data from malicious attacks. The security measures prevent unauthorized users from accessing data from the network. There is a lot of sensitive information stored by servers in governments, hospitals, and other industries, and can be detrimental if such information falls into the wrong hands.

New cyber threats are coming up each day. To protect yourself and others from cyber-attacks in the form of viruses, malware, phishing emails, and others, you need to know the best cybersecurity tools to use.

Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness

Cybersecurity awareness is essential for the following reasons:

• Cyber-attacks affect all

Everyone is at risk of a cyber-attack. We are in a technological era where people can access the internet through their phones, computers, and other smart devices. As our dependence on technology increases, so does the risk of getting hacked. Cybersecurity is vital for businesses and individuals since it helps keep information safe from prying eyes.

• The risk of cyber-attacks is rising

As technology continues advancing, so does the risk of cyber-attacks. Modern technology, like the Internet of Things (IoT) and the increased number of connected devices, snowballs the risk of being attacked by hackers. Hackers are improving their skills and are using machine learning and artificial intelligence to automate cyber-attacks.

As hackers evolve, cybersecurity technology also advances to protect against any attacks. Cybersecurity awareness is crucial as it ensures that everyone is well equipped to handle any cyber-attacks.

• Cyber-attacks can harm businesses

Cybercrime can affect businesses and lead to loss of employment. If a company's data is hacked, it will have to spend a fortune to retrieve the data. The company can get sued and have to spend more money paying fines. To get the money, the company might consider scaling down by reducing the number of employees. Companies can prevent all this from happening by using advanced cybersecurity measures.

• Individuals are at risk of identity theft

Individuals are at risk of getting their identities stolen when hackers access their personal information. The stolen information can be used to commit crimes or steal money from them. By being aware of the cybersecurity measures to take, you need to know how to protect your information.

Best Cyber Security Practices

Here are some of the best cybersecurity practices you can incorporate to protect your information from falling into the wrong hands.

• Manage your password

Most people use their birthdays and other important dates as their passwords increasing the chances of being hacked. You need to use a strong password and change it if you suspect that it has been compromised. Also, do not share your password.

For business owners, have different passwords for different departments. Passwords should not be used for more than three months. If you feel like the password is not safe, have your IT team change it immediately.

• Device security

Whether you are using a home or office network, you need to limit the number of external devices in use. You cannot control the devices that employees use, but you can restrict the number of devices that can access the network. Doing so will secure your network from attacks that may come through unauthorized devices.

• Secure your Wi-Fi network

Having Wi-Fi at the workplace and home is becoming a necessity. However, it also opens the door to cyber-attacks through your network. You can protect yourself by having a strong password. Besides, avoid browsing on public Wi-Fi since hackers can use it to access information on your device. If you are using a public network, avoid visiting unsecured sites or putting credit card information on shopping sites.

You can opt to use a Mi-Fi device when you are out in public so you can log onto a secure network.

• Invest in proper cybersecurity technology

Acquaint yourself with the latest cybersecurity measures so you can secure your information better. You can also invest in appropriate technology like anti-virus or malware software programs to protect your device. Ensure the programs are always up-to-date to be more efficient.

It would be best if you also learn how to identify fake emails that are used for phishing. These emails usually come with links, and once you click on the link, you release a virus or malware that attacks your files. The malware can also be used to spy on you.

Cyber Security Challenges

• Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Most people do not know how to distinguish between original and fake emails and end up being victims of phishing. As a result, hackers can easily steal credit card information and other sensitive data that are later used to commit fraud.
• Ransomware attacks continue to become rampant. You find hackers getting hold of an organization’s information for ransom. What’s more, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has led to a rise in ransomware attacks since hackers can get paid for the information anonymously.
• Cryptojacking is also becoming popular as cybercriminals piggy bank on third-party computers to mine for cryptocurrencies. Crypto mining requires a lot of processing power, and hackers can access that power by hijacking other people’s computer systems. The result is slowing down the entire system, causing serious issues with the performance.
• Nowadays, you find hackers being sponsored to hack into government systems and look for sensitive information. The target of these cyber-attacks is government-run programs, private organizations, and infrastructure. Private organizations are at a higher risk of getting attacked as they are easy targets for settling geopolitical grudges.
• The healthcare system is going digital, which means patient records are being stored digitally. Hackers are taking advantage of this by exploiting the system's weaknesses and getting access to sensitive patient information. With a click of a button, a hacker can increase or decrease the dosage of medicine and switch the equipment on or off, which puts patients' lives at risk.
• There is a severe shortage of skilled IT professionals to help combat the increasing number of cybersecurity threats. There is a need to equip IT professionals with cybersecurity skills so they can be at the forefront in the fight against cyber-attacks.