Category Archives: Cyber Security

Cyber Security refers to protecting internet-connected systems including hardware, software and data from cyberattacks.

Cyber Security

5 Advantages of Using a Virtual Private Network

Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are becoming more and more well-liked due to their many advantages. They let you access material from around the world and offer an additional degree of protection to your online activity.

You should think about utilizing a VPN when browsing the internet for a number of benefits, including increased online privacy, access to geo-restricted material, greater security on public Wi-Fi, risk-free file downloads, and extra security measures. We’ll examine these advantages in more detail in this post, as well as how a VPN may help you safeguard your online behavior.

Virtual Private Network Gives Enhanced online security:

When you connect to a VPN, your data flow is sent through a secure tunnel that encrypts your information, rendering it unreadable to any outside parties. Your online activities are therefore hidden and shielded from prying eyes, providing you peace of mind that it is secure from hackers, advertisers, and other potential actors who might wish to track and monitor your activities.

Geo-restricted content accessibility:

If you’ve ever attempted to visit a website only to be informed that it is prohibited in your area, you are familiar with the irritation. With Virtual Private Network, you may connect to a server in another nation to get around these kinds of geographical restrictions and access websites that are normally off-limits to you.

Enhanced security when using public Wi-Fi:

If you connect to a public Wi-Fi network without a Virtual Private Network, you are at risk of malware infections or data theft from hackers. However, a VPN protects and encrypts your data, preventing unauthorized parties from accessing sensitive information like passwords and credit card details.

Safe file downloading:

It’s never 100% safe to download files from the internet since you never know when a hacker could be able to access your computer by infecting it with dangerous software through the downloaded files. You may download files and visit websites using a VPN without having to worry about giving your information to hackers or other outside parties.

Additional security features:

To guarantee that your information is kept private, several VPNs include additional security measures like an automated kill switch and a no-log policy. You may feel more secure and protected by using these features while online.

As a result, anyone wishing to secure their online behaviour and guarantee their privacy while accessing the internet must use a VPN. There are several advantages to utilising a VPN, including unblocking geo-restricted material, boosting security on public Wi-Fi, and secure file downloads. Use a VPN for your online activity if you want to remain safe and anonymous online.

Cyber Security

How to safeguard your personal computer from ransomware

Ransomware is a kind of noxious programming that encodes the records of its casualties. The programmers then ask a payoff from the casualty in return for recapturing admittance to their information. Ransomware assaults are turning out to be progressively normal, with a few high-profile assaults standing out as truly newsworthy lately.

Luckily, there are a few stages you can take to shield your PC from ransomware:

Keep your working framework and programming forward-thinking: Ensure you are utilizing the most recent form of your working framework and all introduced programming. These updates frequently incorporate security fixes that can assist with safeguarding your framework from ransomware and different dangers.

Use antivirus programming: Antivirus programming can assist with safeguarding your PC from ransomware by distinguishing and impeding pernicious programming before it can taint your framework. Make sure to keep up with your antivirus programming program as much as date, as new dangers are ceaselessly arising.

Empower firewalls: Firewalls can assist with forestalling unapproved admittance to your PC by impeding approaching traffic from untrusted sources. You can empower the inherent firewall on your working framework or utilize an outsider firewall.

Try not to tap on joins in messages: One familiar way that ransomware is spread is through email connections or connections. Be wary while opening messages, particularly in the event that they are from an obscure source or contain dubious connections or connections.

Back up your information: Consistently backing up your information can assist with safeguarding you in case of a ransomware assault. Assuming that your PC is tainted, you can reestablish your information from the reinforcement instead of paying the payoff. Try to store your reinforcements on a different gadget or in the cloud, as ransomware can likewise taint outer hard drives.

Utilize a legitimate distributed storage administration: Distributed storage administrations can be a helpful method for putting away your information, yet picking a trustworthy provider is significant. Research the supplier’s safety efforts prior to transferring delicate information.

Be careful about free downloads: Ransomware can frequently be packaged with free programming downloads. Be wary while downloading free programming and just download from trustworthy sources.

Utilize a virtual confidential organization (VPN): VPNs can assist with safeguarding your web-based movement by encoding your web association and concealing your IP address. This can make it more hard for aggressors to target you with ransomware.

By following these prescribed procedures, you can essentially decrease the gamble of succumbing to a ransomware assault. Make sure to constantly be careful and wary while utilizing your PC to assist with guarding your information.

Cyber Security

What Are The Differences Between Network Security And Ethical Hacking?

Because of misusing data and the rise in cyberattacks, ethical hacking and cyber security specialists are in high demand. There is a scarcity of qualified people that can assist businesses in protecting their systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. If you have the necessary skills, there are a lot of opportunities in this profession. 

Becoming an ethical hacker necessitates the adoption of specific skills that comprises knowledge of the security measures, networks, and systems; programming knowledge; comprehension of databases; networking skills; operating systems’ working knowledge like Linux and Windows; and knowledge of hacking techniques and tools. Enroll today in an online Cyberark Training course to keep up to date on critical cybersecurity issues and industry trends.

Today, many businesses rely on cybersecurity and ethical hacking to keep themselves safe from cyber-attacks. Both ethical hacking and cybersecurity aim to improve a company’s security, although they are very different in many aspects. While cyber security is a large topic, ethical hacking is included in it. Understanding each of these words is critical for any firm investing in security architecture. We shall learn the distinction between ethical hacking and cyber security in this blog. 

Before we get into the differences between ethical hacking and cybersecurity it’s important to first define the words.

What is Cybersecurity?

The activity of defending internet-connected systems, such as hardware, software, programs, and data, from harm, malicious attacks, or illegal access is known as cyber security. It works to keep cybercriminals out of data, networks, and systems. Digital forensics, Ethical hacking, and Data security are only a few of the security methods covered by cyber security.

Cyber security can be divided into the following categories:

  • Data Security
  • Information Security
  • Application Security
  • Identity Management
  • Cloud Security
  • Endpoint Security
  • Network Security
  • Mobile Security

With cyber threats evolving on a worldwide scale, every firm, particularly those involved in the protection of sensitive data, must take adequate precautions to protect its sensitive data.

Role of a Cybersecurity Professional

To create a secure environment for users against any attacks on their data, devices, or applications, cyber security experts must have a combination of distinct cyber security tools and skills. To be able to deal with threats like malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits, they must have a thorough awareness of numerous cybersecurity ideas, tools, and procedures.

A cyber security specialist is in charge of a wide range of tasks. Some of the most typical duties and responsibilities of a cyber security professional are as follows:

  • Identifying the most effective techniques to secure data, networks, and systems against cyber-attacks.
  • Enhancing the security system by implementing the most effective technology.
  • Vulnerability tests and security assessments.
  • Supervising and guiding security teams.
  • Keeping the updated security system.

What is Ethical Hacking?

The term “ethical hacking” refers to a subset of cybersecurity. It is the process of evaluating a system for potential security breaches or data threats and also fixing any vulnerabilities before a cyberattack occurs. Finding vulnerabilities and weak points for cybercriminals to exploit is the objective of ethical hacking.

White-hat hackers are ethical hackers. White hat hackers operate in the same way as black hat hackers, but with a different objective in mind. With approval from the server/system admin, white hat hackers use their talents to uncover the system’s loopholes. They don’t aim to harm anybody with their actions; instead, they want to protect the systems.

Job Role of Ethical Hacker

Ethical hackers gain access to the system with the authorization of the owner. They deliver a report on how they hacked the system after detecting flaws and breaching system security. The following are some of the most typical jobs and tasks of ethical hackers:

  • Testing the system security.
  • Evaluating the performance of a system.
  • Using proper hacking techniques, discover weak points in the security system.
  • Offering recommendations to improve the security system.
  • Altering the firm regarding any malicious attack
  • Reports are generated after vulnerabilities are discovered.

Ethical Hacking Vs. Cyber Security: What’s The Difference?

The term “ethical hacking” refers to a subset of cybersecurity. In the end, both are concerned about data security. Both cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers should be aware of the extent and joint objective of securing their businesses. The fundamental distinctions between ethical hacking and cybersecurity are summarised in the table below:

Cyber Security

  • Cybersecurity is a wide term that encompasses several different security techniques.
  • It entails detecting and fixing security concerns to protect the system and data from malicious activity.
  • The main focus is on how to keep the system safe.
  • Cybersecurity professionals preserve the system by updating it regularly and putting in place all possible safeguards.
  • It’s a defense operation.
  • The security system is maintained regularly to guarantee that it is up to date.
  • SOC engineer and Security analyst are two popular cybersecurity professional roles.

Ethical Hacking

  • The term “ethical hacking” refers to a subset of cybersecurity.
  • It entails locating security vulnerabilities and reporting them to the system’s owner.
  • It’s all about finding out how to attack the system.
  • Ethical hackers hack into systems to uncover faults and protect them.
  • Ethical hacking is a counter-offensive strategy.
  • Testing is done regularly to discover and fix issues.
  • Security Manager and Penetration Tester are two popular ethical hacking jobs.

Conclusion:

This concludes our discussion of the distinction between ethical hacking and cyber security. While ethical hacking concentrates on finding vulnerabilities that are accessible to exploitation far before hackers find them, cyber security concentrates on limiting risks through the deployment of various security controls, as we learned in this blog. The fields of ethical hacking and cybersecurity are becoming more important than ever as a result of rising internet attacks and data threats.

The demand for cyber security and ethical hackers professionals is continuously rising. In this blog, we also have defined and addressed the definitions for comprehending ethical hacking and network security along with its job roles that would assist the aspirants who would like to land in these professions of their choice.

Cyber Security

Cyber security threat predictions in 2022

Despite the latest security software, firewalls, and end-to-end encryption processes, cyber criminals find new ways to incorporate security systems with tiny loopholes daily. In 2021, we went through some of the most vulnerable hacks around the world. In order to combat such attacks every individual tech savvy should follow security measures to safeguard their personal computers or work place computers. So for companies and individuals opting a better cyber security system is the only solution.

In the future, a cyber-cold war that resembles a real war will become more real as cybercriminals use sophisticated tools and ransomware attacks to demand more money from companies and governments.

cyber security threat predictions in 2022

False news

Through social media and other media, misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic and the efficacy of vaccines is spreading like wildfire in 2021.

Because of this, illegal businesses have proliferated on the dark web and on few famous social media platforms, selling fake vaccination certificates or COVID certificates containing malware.

This type of misinformation will, of course, continue to play an active role in phishing attacks in 2022. This is not to mention the role they will play in future elections, such as the midterm that will be held in the United States.

Fraudulent deepfakes

The distinction between a deep fake and a real image was not difficult until recently. It is now more difficult. There has been an increase in both audio and video tools over the past few years.

In 2021, cybercriminals proved that they could manipulate the stock price of a company and influence opinion on social media using this technology.

For example, In Hong Kong, hackers posed as the branch director of a bank and cajoled him to send them 35 million dollars by using this type of technology As told by CheckPoint a cyber security solutions company.

The world of cryptocurrencies is being attacked more often

Cybercriminals are going to try to get their hands on cryptocurrencies as soon as they become popular not longer only for early adopters.

The number of attacks on different exchanges is expected to increase by 2022, as well as the popularity of inventive methods of stealing online money wallets. Numerous cyber security firms warning alleged free NFTs that can be used to attack wallets containing certain security flaws.

Hybrid enterprise and mobility

Cybercriminals’ pressure on teleworkers has increased as companies have made remote working easier, especially with mobile attacks.

A malicious mobile app was downloaded by at least one employee of nearly half of the companies reviewed by Check Point in 2021. In an age when mobile wallets and mobile payment services are becoming more and more popular, attackers will continue to take advantage of our dependence on these terminals.

Tools for defending against attacks

Cybercriminals have leveraged penetration tools, which were created to test security defenses, to launch highly effective attacks, allowing them to increase their own efficiency.

In order to target their victims with ransomware, hackers have customized these tools. The use of this tactic to carry out extortion and data exfiltration attacks in 2022 is likely to increase as this tactic continues to catch on.

Cyber Security

The Impact of Cybersecurity on the Development & Implementation of Internet of Things (IoT)

Today, new innovative technology is coming at full speed than ever before. The internet of Things (IoT) market was worth around $157 billion back in 2016 and it’s estimated to rise to a whopping $480 billion by 2021. Nearly every device that we see and use around is connected to the internet and almost interlinked to other nearby devices. From home appliances to DNA analysis devices, IoT is constantly being utilized to develop ‘smart’ devices which are well-connected. Although IoT is all about giving every single ‘thing’ a unique ID, it still raises security concerns for its users at the same time.

When properties like real-time communication, remote access, and data sharing are misused, they might cause some serious issues. Therefore, by disregarding the requirement for cybersecurity with IoT, you are putting your data and physical security at risk.

Benefits of Managing Cybersecurity

  • Cybersecurity protects data and networks from unauthorized access. It keeps the device safe from outsiders.
  • More enhanced business continuity management and information security.
  • More quicker recovery times in the result of a breach.
  • Advanced stakeholder confidence in your data security arrangements.
  • It also enhances company credentials with the accurate security controls in place.

How does Cybersecurity Affect the Development and Implementation of IoT?

  1. Insecure Web Interface– If proper measures and actions are not followed, factors like SQL injection, phishing, plain text credentials that are sent, and other old-school or advanced methods can be used by hackers to gain control of your IoT devices. To resolve this, these are the steps that you can follow-
  2. A strong password or any other efficient locking mechanism.
  3. Effective encryption algorithms.
  4. Guarantee that the web interface has been tested for XSS, SQL, and CSRF vulnerabilities.
  5. Evade transferring credentials in plain text.
  6. Insecure Network Services– It’s very easy for attackers to use insecure network services to attack users. These attacks may come either from internal or external network users. Especially enterprises and businesses should be aware of this. It can be solved by
  7. Addressing employees’ awareness of internet threats.
  8. A solid networking mechanism is required for refining internet traffic from VPNs and intranets.
  9. Make sure that all required ports are neither exposed nor available to outsiders.
  10. Insufficient Authentication or Authorization– Inadequate authorization can result in losing data, lacking accountability, and also denying service attacks. Authorizing a hierarchy of controls is compulsory. This can be fixed by
  11. Implementing a 2-factor authentication.
  12. The communication in each network needs to be encrypted and authenticated.
  13. Lack of Transport Encryption– Inadequate transport layer security is due to the fixed applications, which don’t take any useful measure in the network traffic.
  14. Utilization of more reliable encryption standards.
  15. Better communication constraints put in place.
  16. Managing a check on applications, being accessed through the IoT device.
  17. Privacy Concerns– Privacy is one of the most important security concerns. This cannot be put at risk while installing IoT devices and keeping them interlinked. Bad algorithms and hackers can make the worse happen for your devices. This can be solved by
  18. All devices must install a varied operating system (OS).
  19. The devices must have the capability to protect themselves from remote code execution attacks and intrusion.
  20. Vulnerable Cloud and Mobile Interface– Mobile services and cloud can efficiently bring buyers from many companies. But these are not as safe as we think. Advancing cloud technology is becoming powerful every day, but it’s not that ‘precise’ yet, because there are hazards that are obtained by IoT also. This can be solved by-
  21. Secure encryption, vulnerability detection, and authentications are needed.
  22. There should be proper testing on mobile interfaces, cloud, or web that don’t contain any SQL injection, XSS or CSRF vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

As the days go by, cybersecurity implementations are not as trailblazing for IoT devices as they should be. Many IoT devices as well as IoT services are on the rise. So, it is rather important for every smart business or home to keep the threats of IoT in mind, well, alongside with all the benefits they provide. In this challenging environment, IoT devices continue to grow and new, excellent cybersecurity’s are being implemented. Therefore, it is safe to say that good cybersecurity should be used by IoT users.

Author Bio

Feril Mohammed Hazem is an industry expert and a professional writer working at ThinkPalm Technologies. He has a keen interest in AI. He is fascinated by futuristic technology and its ways. Off the screen, he is a movie buff, likes playing basketball and listening to music.