In this ever growing world of technology, there exists a side to advancements which puts people at the risk of phishing scams like fraudulent transactions and unauthorized access to personal information. Speaking of unauthorized access, cyberattacks, the ultimate threat of today’s generation, have made safeguarding data and preventing misuse of confidential information the highest priority.
Cyberattack refers to the deliberate action of misusing or stealing highly personal data through unauthorized access to a user’s electronic data. Both privacy and integrity of data transference is violated.
Cyberattacks are becoming common day by day due to the existence of operational technology. The confidential relationship between a business entity and their personal data is vulnerable to so many forms of cyberattacks existing as?
- Malware: Malware, also known as malicious software attempts to threaten the security and privacy of the system. Usually it is disguised as a file or document to elicit viruses into the system. Cryptovirological malware, or extreme type of malware called Ransomware extorts data by blocking access unless a certain ransom is paid.??
- Phishing: Just like any malware operation, phishing is a form of cyberattack which targets users through unnecessary texts, emails or folders to reveal highly sensitive information like login credentials or transaction based details.?
- DoS (Denial of Service) Attacks: The user is denied basic operations like accessing emails or visiting websites. DOS disrupts business operations and services with the help of multiple compromised systems.
- Man-in-the-middle attack: Man in the middle attack is an unethical practice where the hacker stands between two parties revealing sensitive data which ends up leading to unauthorized purchases or other illegal activities. Here the user is unaware of the malicious intent of their trustworthy website.?
- SQL(structured query language) injection: SQL or Structured Query Language is another extreme version of accessing a user’s personal credentials through malicious code or statements which affects the database of applications.
Other forms of cyberattacks include Zero-day exploits, password attacks, cross-site scripting, rootkits, and Internet of Things (IoT) attacks representing diverse and sophisticated techniques to threaten the security system of the user’s device.??
The first step towards safeguarding personal data has to do with implementing practices which cover core aspects of security. Password management, SSL certification, firewall protection, and regularly keeping up with software updates are the critical aspects of web security. Web security must have
- Strong Password: Users are advised to always keep their passwords up to the standard of safety. People often underestimate the hackers' advanced knowledge and ability to decode or crack passwords for access. Therefore cyber experts recommend users to create passwords consisting of 12 characters with variations of Upper case, lowercase and numbers with symbols. Furthermore, additional authentication of data can ensure security.?
- SSL: This is an important protocol which helps with establishing a secure connection?between data and the website. SSL or Secure Sockets Layer encrypts data to assure users regarding legitimacy of the website. Higher-level certificates, such as Extended Validation (EV) certificates offer stronger encryption with additional assurance.
- Firewall Protection: Firewall can help detect suspicious activity before gaining access into the website. Firewall effectively blocks unauthorized attempts from sources which can potentially threaten the systems functioning.?
- Regular software updates: Upgrading the security patches on your system is critical for maintaining the website's security. It's important to note that website owners should only use reputable software and plugins from trusted sources. Updating the software will protect users from the latest form of cyber threats.
- Data Backup: In any scenario of cyberattacks, users should own a recent copy of the site and the data to use as backup. Restoring important data and rechecking backup is a critical step to prevent any possible data loss in the future.?
Choosing the right website security solution is essential for ensuring the safety of your site. Ranging from basic antivirus software to advanced threat detection and response systems, choosing the right security solution is an essential step which users shouldn’t ignore no matter what.??
Top security is indeed a top priority for most website owners, therefore educating the users on websecurity and the importance of employing right cybersecurity practices should not be ignored. To sum it up, advanced website security practices as well as clear policies should be in place for reporting suspicious activity within the system.?
