A cyberattack is an attempt to steal, disable, damage, or hijack sensitive company information by gaining unauthorized access to computer systems.
Cyberattacks are motivated by various reasons, including political, personal, or criminal motives. Attackers carry out these illicit activities in pursuit of financial gain, often employing a model of extortion. These attacks typically involve the theft of money or data, or the disruption of the company’s operational processes.
TYPES OF THREATS
There are two types of threats that companies face:
External Threats
- Organized criminals or criminal groups.
- Professional hackers, such as state-sponsored actors.
- Amateur hackers, such as hacktivists.
Internal Threats
- Employees who are careless with security policies and procedures.
- Disgruntled current or former employees.
- Business partners, clients, contractors, or suppliers with access to the system.
Why Is It Important to Educate Employees About Cyberthreats?
In addition to the risks described above, a cyberattack can expose companies to serious consequences, including:
Reputational damage: A cyberattack can severely damage a company’s reputation among customers, suppliers, and business partners. It can also weaken customer loyalty and influence potential customers’ purchasing decisions.
Legal and regulatory penalties: Depending on the nature of the data affected and the applicable laws, a company may face legal and regulatory penalties for failing to comply with adequate cybersecurity measures. This can include fines, legal action, and obligations to notify authorities and affected parties.
TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR COMPANY FROM A CYBERATTACK
Before reviewing preventive measures employees can take to keep their devices from compromising the company network, it is helpful to understand the most common types of cyberattacks they may encounter.
PHISHING
Phishing uses links to steal user information. This type of cyberattack primarily occurs in emails or text messages. But how can we identify a suspicious email?
- Emails containing advertisements, also known as spam.
- Vague subject lines.
- Poorly written messages.
- Messages impersonating public entities such as transit authorities, customs, or social media platforms.
- Emails that unexpectedly include personal information or names.
COMPUTER WORM
A computer worm can enter a device through compromised software or a program downloaded from an untrustworthy website. It can then spread from one computer to another across an inadequately secured network.
RANSOMWARE
Ransomware encrypts data and makes it inaccessible. It often targets large organizations and servers, with attackers demanding payment to restore access.
- Always turn off your computer when you finish your workday.
- Be wary of all emails and text messages, especially if they contain links.
- Avoid installing applications from dubious sources or hosted on suspicious websites.
- Schedule regular predictive and corrective maintenance for your computer with the IT team.
- Keep your operating system up to date.
