Are you prepared to defend yourself against the enemies lurking in the digital age? The increase in cyberattacks around the world forces us to talk about cybersecurity threats and risks to better understand what cyberattacks are all about.
Due to global interconnectivity, cybersecurity has become a vital issue in recent decades, especially in Latin America, where the adoption of technologies has grown exponentially in recent years. This rapid digital transformation, while bringing with it great benefits, has also opened the door to a wave of cyberattacks that threaten both individuals and organizations.
What are cyber attacks?
This is a deliberate action by individuals or groups to access, damage, steal or alter information on computer systems by exploiting their vulnerabilities. These attacks can have devastating consequences for individuals, businesses and governments, disrupting operations, compromising sensitive data and causing significant financial losses.
Types of cyber attacks
The variety of cyberattacks is as wide as the creativity of cybercriminals, who specialize in bypassing computer security controls to penetrate systems. Common types of cyberattacks include:
Phishing. This is one of the most common cyberattacks. Attackers send fraudulent emails that appear to be from trusted sources, tricking recipients into providing personal or financial information.
Malware. Also known as malicious software, these are usually transmitted in email attachments that include viruses, worms, and Trojans that infect systems to steal information, damage data, or control devices.
Ransomware is a type of malware that blocks access to a victim's systems or data in order to demand a ransom. Ransomware has affected numerous organizations, paralyzing operations until the ransom is paid.
Distributed Denial of Service (DdoS) attacks. These attacks flood a system with excessive traffic, rendering it unusable. Multiple systems attack simultaneously, making it even more difficult to defend against.
Man in the Middle (MitM) attacks: Communication between two cp number parties is intercepted and manipulated without their knowledge. This allows cybercriminals to steal sensitive data transmitted during the connection.
Brute force attacks. These are actions that attempt to access accounts by guessing passwords, through exhaustive testing of possible combinations until the correct one is found.
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Cybersecurity threats and cybersecurity risks: Are they the same?
In the world of cybersecurity, the terms “cybersecurity threats” and “security risks” are frequently used, but they are not synonymous , as there is a subtle difference between the two. What cannot be denied is that both concepts are crucial to effective IT security management and information protection.
What are cybersecurity threats?
These are potential events or actions that can exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems to cause damage , steal data, disrupt services, or any other malicious activity that allows unauthorized access. In other words, it is any factor that can damage a computer system. Threats can come from various sources such as malware and phishing, as well as the following:
Hackers. Individuals or groups seeking to gain unauthorized access to systems in order to extract or damage information, as well as disrupt services.
Insider attacks: Employees or former employees who have legitimate access to systems but misuse them to cause damage or steal information.
Human errors. Carelessness or lack of knowledge on the part of users that can put the security of computer systems at risk.
What are security risks?
It involves identifying, assessing and prioritizing the likelihood of potential threats materializing into actual damage , with a determination of the impact they would have if they were to materialize. Risk analysis helps implement appropriate security measures to protect against potential attacks. In this way, risks are assessed by considering several factors, such as the following:
Vulnerabilities are weaknesses or flaws in systems that can be exploited by threats. Vulnerabilities can be technical (such as software flaws) or human (such as user errors).
Probability. The likelihood that a threat will occur. This can depend on how frequently certain types of attacks occur and how exposed the system is to these threats.
Impact. This is the assumption of the consequences that may occur after a threat materializes. This may include data loss, reputational damage, and financial loss.
What are the most common cybersecurity incidents?
Although they are also part of cyberattacks, these incidents are considered less planned and can have a significant impact on individuals and organizations, so it is crucial to implement robust security measures and stay informed about best practices in cybersecurity. Among the incidents that affect cybersecurity, the following three stand out: