Cyber Threats: Meaning, Types, Sources, and Best Practices

Constantly, we are faced with threats in different areas; our personal lives, in business, in government and so on. No matter how we try to put our systems together for optimal operation, some people would not mind disrupting them.

Hence, the reason we have to set up a threat control system. In this blog post, we shall discuss what threat is in cybersecurity, its types, sources, and ways to protect against threats. Let's get started.

?What is a Cybersecurity Threat?

A cybersecurity threat (or cyber threat) is a malicious attack against an individual or group. This attack is launched to gain unauthorized access to networks owned by individuals or groups for theft of sensitive data, disruption, or damage.

Threats in cybersecurity do not result from external factors. Internal factors contribute largely to cybersecurity threats. They could come from accidents, poor cybersecurity measures, disclosure of data, physical threats, and so on.

On the other hand, external factors that lead to cybersecurity threats include hacking, social engineering, and sabotage, among others.?

Types of Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity threats are numerous and are launched for various motives. Mostly, threats in cybersecurity are launched for financial gains. Other motives are; disrupting a business' flow, expressing grievances, intellectual challenge, opposing a ruling party, and lots more.

To bring these motives to life, cybercriminals pose different threats to individuals, organizations, and governments. Here, we shall examine a few common cybersecurity threats to watch out for.

1. Phishing

This is a social engineering attack where a person is tricked to interact with a seemingly-true link. The attack goes is launched successfully because people are made to believe that they are interacting with legitimate websites or email senders.

Phishing is used to steal usernames, passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive & personal data. For example, an attacker might create an incorrect version ([email protected]) of your office email ([email protected]) asking you to change your password.

Both emails look similar (but aren't the same). The fake 'marco' ends with zero while the real ends with the letter o. When the fake email is clicked, it can lead to revealing sensitive information, freezing of your system, etc.

2. Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

DoS attack is launched to disable the functionalities of a system or network. This is done by flooding a network or system with excess traffic. DoS can in turn lead to a slow response time or crash. When this happens, expected users of such networks are barred. These could be employers, employees, customers, members, etc.

3. Ransomware

When data is stolen, encrypted, and money is demanded for decryption or release, that is ransomware. At times, cyber attackers threaten to publish the information stolen unless payment is made.

Recently, a cybercrime gang used ransomware called Black Cat to attack Germany's fuel distribution system. The ransomware also prevented buyers from making payments at some filling stations.?

4. Man in the Middle (MITM) Attack

Just as we have a middleman in business do we have in cybersecurity. MITM takes place when cybercriminals position themselves between you and the party you are communicating with via the internet.

This could happen by the use of public Wi-Fi, using an insecure website, connecting to unprotected Wi-Fi, among others.?

5. SQL Injection

SQL Injection is a kind of vulnerability that lets an attacker alter the queries a database receives from an application. As a result, such an attacker gains access to view sensitive data such as user information, passwords, and so on. This attack could lead to legal issues, damage to reputation, etc.

Sources of Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity threats stem from various sources, all of which are traced to humans. These humans launch these attacks based on motives. Here, we shall discuss the various human sources of threats in cybersecurity.

1.????Criminal Groups

These groups are made up of people who are committed to causing various cybercrimes. Some criminal groups as such are LulzSec, Lizard Squad, etc.

2.??Insiders

In organizations, insiders can use their access to high profile cases or sensitive data for illegitimate purposes. They could sell out these pieces of information or give access to cybercriminals.

3.??Terrorists

These groups are particular about posing threats to governments, military bodies, economies, and so on. They often pose attacks like cyber espionage or cyber warfare.

4.??Corporate Spies

Spies in the corporate sector attack competitors in business. They do this to disrupt their businesses, steal trade secrets, and steal clients' information.

5.???Hacktivists

Hacktivists are those who practice hacktivism. The word stems from two words, 'hack' and 'activism.' These sets of people hack into a system for political or social motives. ?Thereby, defacing their websites and leaking crucial data. Hacktivists do this to those whose political or social ideas do not match theirs.

Best Practices to Avoid Cybersecurity Threats

There is a common saying that, "prevention is better than cure." We can likewise put it as "avoidance is better than cleaning up." As a private person, organization, or government, avoiding cybersecurity threats is better. To help you prevent threats in cybersecurity rather than cure them, follow these steps;

1.????Train Employees on Cybersecurity

As an organization or government, your employees should be trained in cybersecurity. They should know how to keep their systems secure, the forms threats take, how to respond to threats, and so on.

To add to this, they should be intimated with how to conduct themselves on the internet. Train them on what to click, what not to, what website is safe or not, and lots more.

2.??Update Systems Regularly

Outdated systems and software can make your organization suffer a grand cyber attack. To prevent this, ensure to update your systems and software, and regularly.

3.??Install an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

Installing an SSL on your website protects both your organization and your customers. An SSL maintains the integrity and confidentiality of the information a user shares with your website.

4.??Set Up an Insider Response Plan

An insider response plan lets you avoid insider threats. It involves four steps; definition, detection & identification, assessment, and management.

In summary, every individual, organization, or government stands at the risk of cybersecurity threats in different forms. However, to prevent these threats, every sector must be proactive.

Need us to help you scan your systems for vulnerabilities that could pose a risk to your business? Reach out to us today at [email protected]

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