Over the last year, cybersecurity threats have increased to the point that some experts are claiming we are in a “cybersecurity pandemic,” citing increases in the number of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and online fraud during 2020. This claim is backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which reported a fivefold increase in cyberattacks in last April.

In addition to an increasing number of cybersecurity attacks, 2020 also saw the mass movement to work-from-home. With many employees working remotely, businesses are facing more vulnerabilities than usual. As we explained in our post “How To Improve Cybersecurity For Remote Workers,” remote employees operate without the layers of network security they have in the office. This introduces new weaknesses that can have real consequences for your business.

Regardless of where your employees are working right now, it’s important that you understand the cybersecurity threats facing your business. Understanding what they are, how they work, and how they can infiltrate your network is the first step to stopping these attacks. So here’s a run-down of the most common cybersecurity threats you’ll fight in 2021, and the best steps you can take to prevent them.

What are the Top Cybersecurity Threats I Face?

The purpose of any cybersecurity attack is to gain access to things you want to protect. It might be information on your network, or it might be your network itself. One of the main ways hackers do this is through malware.

Malware is any kind of harmful software designed to hurt or compromise a device. This includes spyware that logs your activity and reports it to the hacker, as well as more powerful code that takes control of your computer or network.

There are hundreds of ways cyber criminals can try to hack your system. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t protect yourself. Here are five of the most common cybersecurity threats and strategies for stopping them cold.

Keylogger

One of the oldest hacking techniques is keylogging, which is where hackers install software that records everything you type on your keyboard or click on with your mouse. Over time, hackers will record their victims typing all kinds of sensitive data, including login credentials, URLs to bank websites, and more that they can use to access the victim’s property.

To protect yourself:

• Avoid suspicious downloads.
• Don’t use public wifi. Instead, use your hotspot or other protected networks that require you to login.
• Practice good cybersecurity by activating your firewall and running antivirus software.
• Limit lateral movement within your network to minimize vulnerabilities.

Viruses

The most well-known type of malware is undoubtedly the computer virus. A computer virus behaves similarly to viruses that attack the human body—they are packets of code that insert themselves into a “host program” (a vulnerable program installed on your computer) and begin copying themselves, continually spreading to affect other programs.

To protect yourself:

• Run antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Disable pop-ups in your browser.
• Be careful downloading email attachments.
• Only download files from websites you know.
• Purchase software from reputable sources. Free software offers are often ploys to get you to download malware.

Trojan Horse

Similar to viruses, Trojans are files that look innocent but actually contain malware. However, unlike viruses, Trojans must be installed on a computer by a user. These sometimes come packaged with bootleg software. Once you install a Trojan, cyber criminals can do a number of things, including stealing, modifying, or destroying data; installing additional malware; or holding a computer or entire network hostage.

To protect yourself:

• Run antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Purchase software from reputable sources. Free software offers are often ploys to get you to download malware.
• Be careful about downloading files from links or social media sites. Only download files from websites you know, and make sure the files are safe before downloading them.
• Scan downloads before you install them on your system. Sites like VirusTotal.com let you do this for free.

Browser Locker

This cybersecurity threat is exactly what it sounds like. A user lands on a malicious site and receives an aggressive pop-up that either cannot be closed or continually opens again and again, locking the user’s browser. Often, the pop-up looks like a message from a legitimate company (such as Microsoft or Norton Security) informing the user that their system is infected and providing a phone number or website link to tech support that will remove the infection. However, the “company” the user pays to restore their computer is actually the hacker holding their system hostage.

To protect yourself:

• Use a VPN (virtual private network).
• Keep your web browser up-to-date and secure.
• Disable pop-ups in your browser.

Cookie Theft

Cookies may sound delicious, but in the computer world they are small text files that contain information that helps websites remember you and your preferences. While some websites do encrypt cookies, many do not. Cookies can be stolen through WAP or Man in the Middle attacks, where hackers spy on your online sessions, as well as through malicious browser extensions. Stolen cookies can give cyber criminals a lot of information about you, as well as access to your online accounts.

To protect yourself:

• Use a VPN (virtual private network).
• Avoid using public wifi, especially if it does not require you to login.
• Evaluate browser extensions carefully before installing them.
• Regularly clear your browser and system caches to fewer cookies are available to be stolen.
• Don’t reuse login credentials from website to website. Instead, use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for each site. This will limit what a hacker can access if your cookies are stolen.

Worm

While a worm sounds harmless, it’s one of the scarier cybersecurity threats on this list. Like a virus, it replicates and spreads throughout a system. But unlike a virus, a worm doesn’t need to be installed or activated and they spread incredibly fast. While worms can be used to steal information, more often they are used to hold a system hostage or to damage a system. This damage can range from a few deleted files to a completely corrupted, unusable network. Worms are actually used in cyberwarfare. One famous worm, Stuxnet, was used to severely stunt Iran’s nuclear program. However, they can be used to attack individuals or businesses as well.

To protect yourself:

• Activate your firewall.
• Run antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Be careful about downloading files from links or social media sites. Only download files from websites you know, and make sure the files are safe before downloading them.
• Scan downloads before you install them on your system. Sites like VirusTotal.com let you do this for free.

How Cybersecurity Threats Access Your System

Malware only works if a hacker can deliver it to your system. To that end, cyber criminals have developed a number of strategies to trick or force you to download their malware. But just because they’re tricky, that doesn’t mean you can’t defend yourself.

The first step to blocking cybersecurity threats is to know what you’re up against. There are many ways hackers can try to infect your system with malware, but below are some of the most common methods along with strategies to stop them.

Phishing

Phishing is an attempt to get information from someone through email. It might involve sending a message that looks legitimate, or may even look like it comes from someone you know. Typically, the message will ask you to share login credentials or other personal information, wire the sender money, or download a file. These files usually include malware that can then infect your computer or network to gain information or control.

To protect yourself:

• Never share personal information through email. Legitimate businesses don’t ask for information that way because they know email is not a secure way to exchange information.
• Another way to protect yourself is to always check the sender’s full email address before downloading files. The default for many email applications is to show the sender’s name, but revealing the full email address can help you determine who is the real source of an email.
• Phishing emails can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov. You can also report them to your specific email provider to help stop them.
• Warn your employees regularly about phishing and use examples to help them understand how to use their business email safely. You can even find free phishing training for employees at PhishingBox.com.

Bait and Switch

Another tricking tactic is the bait and switch. This is where online thieves switch out paid ads on websites. When site visitors click on one of these switched ads, it may download malware, lock their browser, or take users to a harmful website.

To protect yourself:

• Hover your mouse over ads before clicking them and check the URL at the bottom of your browser window. This URL will tell you where the ad will take you. *Warning: the ad may still be malicious even if this URL looks legitimate. This URL may redirect, or “forward,” you to another URL that is malicious. But checking the URL is still a good first step to determine whether a link is safe.
• Avoid ads that promise offers that seem too good to be true. 
• Keep your web browser up-to-date and secure.

Clickjacking

Similar to the Bait and Switch tactic, clickjacking occurs when users visit a website with hidden elements. The visitor may think they are clicking on a button that does one thing, but they are actually clicking on invisible parts of the website that have other functions. There are a number of variants of clickjacking, each with its own purpose. But it can be dangerous when hackers use it to take control of parts of your computer, such as your camera, or to install malware on your system.

To protect yourself:

• Pay attention and avoid suspicious websites. Check the URL of websites you visit to make sure you are where you think you are. Check for the lock icon in the address bar to make sure the website is secure. And if your mouse or keyboard behaves suspiciously while you’re visiting a site, leave the site and run an antivirus scan.
• Practice good cybersecurity by activating your firewall and running antivirus software.
• Keep your web browser up-to-date and secure. 
• You may want to use a browser such as Brave or Epic Privacy Browser that prioritizes security.

Fake WAP

This hacking strategy is ridiculously simple. A cybercriminal sets up a free WAP (Wireless Access Point) in public with a name that sounds legitimate, such as the name of a nearby business. Then they monitor traffic on their WAP, gathering all kinds of personal information and sensitive data.

To protect yourself:

• Avoid free public wifi. Use your hotspot instead or a reliable source of internet, such as a public library.
• Never use a wireless network that doesn’t require you to sign in. Even places like Starbucks, where many people congregate specifically to use free public wifi, now require users to sign in. 

Man in the Middle

Another great reason to avoid public wifi is Man in the Middle attacks. When a network is not secure, hackers can create connections between you and a user you are sharing information with. This allows the hacker to read or change the information you are sharing. Often, the goal is to steal login credentials or other private data, but sometimes hackers can insert malware into the exchange, infecting one or both computers.

To protect yourself:

• Only use secure networks to exchange information.
• Don’t allow your device to automatically connect to public networks. 
• Ensure apps you use for communication use encryption.
• Use a VPN.

Cybersecurity that Works 

Your network is essential and your data is priceless. That’s why you need a security plan that works for your business. Don’t take risks—TracSoft makes effective security simple. Contact us today for a free security evaluation and we can start working on a customized cybersecurity plan for your business.

Work with the experts with over 20 years of experience. Located in the Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama area, we serve businesses nationwide. From startups to established industry leaders, we have the experience and expertise to meet your security needs. Find out more today.