Published December 14, 2021
There’s one phrase that everyone should bear in mind when it comes to cyber security: ‘Never trust, always verify.’
The key to staying safe and secure online is questioning everything and assuming that a cyberattack is imminent. With technology constantly evolving, here are some of the biggest cyber security threats you need to be aware of in 2022.
These kinds of attacks have proven to be effective, and hackers are constantly making them appear more natural and organic.
Don’t dismiss your concerns if you receive an email or message that seems a bit out of the ordinary. Instead, use your company’s internal messaging system, contact the person via phone, or if you’re working in an office with them, then personally stop by their desk to verify that they sent it.
To help detect phishing attacks we use a tool called Sentinel which will actively scan your inbox and detect the attacks by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to determine if the email is genuine.
Alternatively, you can also use our App that will warn you if someone from outside your organisation sends you an email hiding behind an internal display name.
Attacks on remote desktop software increased by a massive 242% last year. There are a number of reasons for this, including a series of well-known vulnerabilities in the software and an increase in the number of organisations allowing their staff to work from home.
There are steps that both employers and staff members can follow to minimise the risk of these kinds of attacks. Ensuring that you keep all of your software and devices updated is an excellent first step and maintaining strong security across all accounts.
On that note, password security is very quickly becoming a major concern. Over 80% of data breaches occur due to poorly chosen passwords or using the same password across multiple accounts.
If you don’t already use a password manager, then this is something that you should seriously consider. Alternatively, you could implement specific guidelines around passwords, such as requiring the use of a certain number of capital letters, symbols, or numbers or regulating which devices can access work apps.
Ransomware attacks are on the rise as they’re much easier and more cost-effective than malware. Ransomware is when hackers encrypt an organisations data and then use this to extort the company for payment.
Double extortion ransomware attacks take things one step further by downloading the data and threatening to release it online if you don’t make an additional payment. You can take steps to avoid this by investing in state-of-the-art Antivirus, which should always be kept up to date.
You can never say never when it comes to cyber security, but you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim. The government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme is a great place to start when it comes to making hackers’ lives more difficult and increasing your organisation’s cyber security capabilities.
Call React now on 01394 387337
Published December 14, 2021
