Ensure Your Business's Protection by Familiarizing Yourself with the Most Common Types of Cyber Attacks

The incidence of cyber-attacks has seen a significant rise in recent years. Businesses of all sizes face the risk of falling victim to these attacks, emphasizing the critical need for every business owner and leader to be well-informed about the prevailing cyber threats in today's business landscape. Awareness of common cyber threats and the formulation of preventive strategies are paramount to safeguarding your business, customers, and employees from the clutches of cybercriminals.

While the tactics of these criminals are evolving with advancing technology, so are cyber security defenses. Understanding the landscape of cyber-attacks and implementing proper safeguards is imperative for the protection of your business. If you're new to the concept of cyber security or in need of an update on the common threats that could jeopardize your business, we've got you covered. Below, you'll find the most prevalent types of cyber-attacks and strategies to shield your business from them.

Malware

Malware, a persistent problem since the inception of the Internet, encompasses intrusive software designed to steal data and harm or destroy computers and computer systems. Ransomware, a subset of malware, has gained prominence lately, threatening to disclose sensitive information or block access to crucial data unless a ransom is paid to the cybercriminal.

Mitigating the impact of malware on your business requires two essential actions. Firstly, install the latest anti-malware programs. If you enlist the services of a provider, they will handle this for you; otherwise, find anti-malware software that suits your system. Additionally, educate your team about these risks, ensuring they are vigilant against clicking on any suspicious links, websites, or files that may pose a threat.

Phishing

Phishing involves cybercriminals sending seemingly official messages to individuals, posing as another organization, with the aim of obtaining personal information. Falling victim to a phishing scam can lead to identity fraud, and the consequences can be even more severe for businesses.

To prepare and protect your team against phishing scams, utilize employee cyber security training to help them identify warning signs. Genuine emails typically differ in structure from those attempting to impersonate a trusted entity. Moreover, most organizations do not request private information via email. Common sense and awareness play crucial roles in defending against phishing scams.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

DDoS attacks have the potential to bring your business operations to a halt. These attacks occur when malicious entities overload servers with user traffic, causing lag or shutdowns. Identifying malicious traffic and preventing access are challenging aspects of countering DDoS attacks. Engaging the services of a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a reliable approach to prevent DDoS attacks. If an attack is successful, taking servers offline may be necessary to resolve the issue.

Password Attacks

If a cybercriminal obtains your password or that of an employee, it provides the easiest route to accessing valuable information. Implementing multifactor authentication for employees and enforcing complex passwords is vital in defending against password attacks.

Now that you are aware of the most common forms of cyber-attacks, you can take the necessary precautions to protect your business, employees, and customers.

Looking for more helpful tips? Check out our blog here. We work with small businesses within the greater Green Bay and Fox Cities area to help design technology solutions that increase productivity, eliminate annoying and costly problems, and keep your business running smoothly. If you’re not completely thrilled with your current systems or service, click here to schedule a brief discovery call, and we’ll talk about your goals.