Malware, vulnerabilities, and social engineering are some of the main concerns for IT security professionals. Although the tactics used to target businesses and individuals are not new, it’s essential to learn more about the cyber threats that can put organizations at risk in 2019.
Employees
All the cybersecurity solutions in the world won’t protect your business from cyber threats if you don’t realize that your employees are your most important line of defense.
According to a report cited by Security Magazine, the human factor continues to be one of the main culprits for data breaches and other types of attacks. The report also reveals that financial pretexting and phishing are behind 98% of social engineering incidents.
The study highlights the importance of ongoing cybersecurity training to mitigate those risks. You may want to consider creating an IT security policy, too.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files and blocks access to them. Its primary objective is not to destroy these files, but to force victims to pay to regain access to their own data. In 2017, a Canadian firm had to pay $425,000 in Bitcoin to recover both their production databases and backups.
You might be wondering why a company would give away thousands of dollars just to regain control of their computers. The answer is quite simple: Companies rely on software to function, and software relies on data.
However, we’re talking about cyber criminals, and paying the ransom offers no guarantee that the victims will ever see their files again. That’s why cybersecurity specialists recommend that companies adopt preventive measures like training their staff, optimizing their IT infrastructure, and strengthening their network.
Cryptojacking
With cryptocurrencies on the rise in popularity, cybersecurity consultants expect to see an increase in cryptojacking occurrences. This type of attack is characterized by the use of malware to steal computing resources from victims.
Digital currencies are not managed by banks or other financial institutions. Instead, cryptocurrency users are the ones validating transactions with software programs designed for this goal. Why? They get paid for it.
The problem is that cryptomining consumes too many resources to the point where it becomes difficult to earn money. Knowing that, cyber criminals infect computers to run cryptomining applications in the background and to maximize their profit.
At MicroAge, our experienced team offers multi-vendor IT solutions comprised of hardware, software, and services. We understand the IT challenges that many businesses face, and we have the expertise to help you save money, secure your data, and optimize your resources and achieve your business goals. Find a MicroAge location near you.
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