Cyber security is a legitimate concern for many businesses and even in your home these days. No one is safe from the possibility of an attack. Learn how to protect your business from the most common cyber security threats in the guide below. 

Password attacks 

Passwords are a well-used method of keeping a digital device or account secure. Unfortunately, that also makes them a great target for those looking to gain entry to a device or system. Indeed, if your password is compromised attackers can not only access sensitive data, but control your devices, or software systems and can untold damage and disruption. 

There are several ways that attacks can try and crack your password. The first is by hacking the database that holds it, although most of these have good security because of this. Then there is what is known as a brute force attack, this is when hacking tools are used to try all the possible password options, something that is often seen in films and TV shows. The last option is known as a dictionary attack which makes use of a list of commonly used passwords and tries each one until the attacker succeeds. 

Of course, with these vulnerabilities security around passwords is vital. That means using a password manager instead of a set of numbers and letters that are memorable to you. Also making use of two-factor authentication where a user will have to prove their identity before gaining access will enhance password security. 

Malware

Another common cyber threat is malware. Malware is the name for a wide range of different types of attachments including viruses, ransomware and trojan horses. Each of these works differently to penetrate the security of your system and provide access to attackers. 

First of all, viruses are programs that fasten themselves onto the start-up sequence of a program. The big issue with viruses is that like their biological counterparts, they can replicate and spread the chaos they bring.

There are many ways to prevent viruses from entering your device, and one of the best is to use antivirus software and make sure that you keep it up to date. 

Another common type of malware is the Trojan. A trojan is a malicious program that is hidden inside an innocuous one, often used to create a backdoor into a system that attackers can use to their advantage. 

One of the best ways to prevent a trojan from gaining access to your computer is to not download anything online unless you are 100% sure it can be trusted. 

Last, of all, we have ransomware. Ransomware can be particularly problematic because it locks a user out of their system, sometimes with the added threat of deleting, publishing or encrypting data unless the ransom is paid. 

The good news is there are some effective ways to protect yourself from ransomware attacks, such as making sure everyone in your business has received cyber security training. Be sure to research and put these into practice as soon as possible. 

Phishing

Phishing attacks are all about fooling a user into giving up sensitive information. They work via email, texts, and even phone to convince the message recipient that they are a legitimate source. Once they have done this they ask for critical information that can be used for a range of purposes such as fraud. 

One of the best ways to prevent Phishing is to always check the URL of the email you are sent. If it looks suspicious it probably is and you should not open the link and report it to your provider instead.