What is Cyber Security?

What is cyber security?

Imagine this…

Jane is on her lunch break at work when an email from her partner pops up.

“Have you seen this video from Facebook? I can’t tell, but I think it’s you? Looks like you might have a cool story to tell me later 🤣”

Curious, she opens the link.

Nothing happens, so she texts back.

The response a moment later leaves her cold.

“What email?”

Jane realises too late the link was a scam and now she’s a victim of a cyber security attack. Her account has been hacked. The password changed.

Too often, we protect ourselves from threats in the physical world, but neglect security online.

Essentials Top Tip

Cyber security involves safeguarding the networks and devices you use to protect your data from online criminals. These unseen crooks seize opportunities to steal data from both your personal and work devices.

why bother?

So, why should you bother with cyber security? Whether you access sensitive data daily through company networks or simply use your phone to surf the web, any online activity can provide a vulnerability for criminals to exploit—and access sensitive information.

TYPES OF CYBER SECURITY ATTACKS

Cybercriminals take advantage of others and steal valuable data. There are three common types of attacks:

phishing

Phishing Attacks

malware

Malware Attacks

dos & ddos attacks

DoS & DDoS Attacks

To help you visualise the effect one of these attacks could have, here is a video showing what a cyber-attack would look like in the real world:

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF POOR CYBER SECURITY?

Failure to protect your data can result in many harmful scenarios, such as:

CREDIT CARD FRAUD

Hackers steal your financial data to make purchases without your knowledge, resulting in both monetary loss and damage to your credit that can impact your loans, mortgages, business, and more.

Loss of Company Data

Data loss takes many forms, from internal company metrics and confidential products to personal communications that can be used against you. For example, a hacker could steal internal company emails to sell to a news outlet or leak details of an upcoming product launch to undermine the company.

Identity Theft

Hackers steal personally identifiable data to commit identity fraud like catfishing—posing as someone else on social media—for financial gain, abuse and harassment, or even wish fulfillment.

A FRIEND IN NEED

Be wary of an email from a friend or relative asking you to send money – especially if the message communicates urgency. Their account was likely hacked – and the request is from a scammer trying to bilk their contacts out of cash.

If you receive an email like this, give your loved ones a call to make sure they’re OK and let them know they’ve been hacked.

TECH SUPPORT

Emails claiming to be from tech support entities informing you that you have a virus or need to download something are a common phishing ruse.

Never click on links or downloads, even if they appear to be from a trusted organization like Microsoft or Apple. Instead, purchase and install an antivirus program from a trusted business and routinely run scans and updates.