October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but it is also well known, among the younger generation, as Halloween Month. Halloween is scary – tales of murderous creatures, catastrophic plagues and lethal encounters all abound. Cyberattacks can be just as frightening. Most people are more concerned with ghosts than they are with the dangers lurking in the dark corners of the Internet, which is understandable as it is more fun to think about the fake monsters than the real ones who could change your life in an instant.
So, let’s make a compromise? We’re going to list terrifying ghosts and monsters when it comes to cybersecurity, and we’ll try to make it as “spooky” as possible. Some tricks (and no treats) around the cybersphere this month.
The Ghosts of Cybersecurity
1. Social Engineering
2. Phishing
Cybercriminals often craft an email or text message that appears convincing but once interacted with (through clicking on attachments or links) could prompt you to enter your log in credentials or install software that is infected with malware.
Imagine someone installing a listening device into your home by packaging it in a box from a store you would normally shop in. Sounds a lot creepier now, doesn't it?
3. Viruses
We all know about the viruses that can infect your body, but what about the ones that infect your computer? They are often attached to a file sent to you by cybercriminals. These malicious codes spread from device to device, damaging your software and stealing your data.
Think about it this way, how frightening would biological viruses be if they could record your thoughts and share them with someone else?
4. Malware
Malware is a broad term encompassing any type of intrusive software designed to damage computer systems. it has many different subsets, but malware is the umbrella under which they all live.
It is a lot like another M-word: Monster. There are many different types of monsters, but in the end, they are all monsters.
5. Dark Web
The dark web may not be something that can infect your computer, but it is definitely something that should terrify you. The Internet we use is only the tip of the iceberg with the Deep and Dark Web taking up the rest. It hosts the shadows of villains who carry out a lot of the cybercrime attacks and sell stolen data.
Do we need a spooky metaphor for this one? I think the Dark Web is already 'dark' enough on its own.
6. Ransomware
All malware is dangerous, but there is not a subset more directly harmful than ransomware. This code-based demon infects your computer by encrypting the data stored on the device and forces the owner to pay a ransom to get it back. These types of attacks can occur on a personal or business level.
To make a spooky comparison, ransomware is like a demon possessing your friend and forcing you to give up your soul in order to get them back.
So what do we do now at Halloween? Perhaps dressing up as a "social engineer"? Difficult, as no one knows what he or she looks like. Dressing up as a virus? Well, maybe not after 2020.
Stay Cyber Safe with ANQAD Systems
With all of these threats attempting to haunt networks and devices, what can users do to help themselves have a safe and secure spooky season? Follow these tips to keep cybersecurity tricks at bay:
Watch what you click.
Be selective about which sites you visit.
If your computer slows down or starts acting strange, be cautious.
Surf the web safely.
And, of course, to stay on top of the latest cybersecurity threats and tips to keep yourself and your business safe and secure from cybercriminals, be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms.