Unmasking The Cyber Threat

In today’s digital world, cyber criminals are constantly evolving their tactics to exploit vulnerabilities and target businesses for financial gain, data theft, or disruption of operations. Understanding the various methods by which cyber criminals attack companies is crucial for organisations to take proactive measures to protect their assets. In this article, we’ll explore some common ways in which cyber criminals launch attacks on businesses, all of which will show why it’s so important to have robust cybersecurity measures in place.

Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks are one of the most prevalent and successful methods used by cyber criminals. They typically involve sending deceptive emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, tricking employees into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, financial details, or credentials. Phishing attacks often employ social engineering techniques to exploit human vulnerabilities. It is essential for companies to educate their employees about phishing risks, implement email filters and spam detection systems, and conduct regular phishing awareness training to prevent falling victim to these scams.

Malware Infections
Malware refers to malicious software designed to gain unauthorized access, disrupt operations, or steal data. Cyber criminals distribute malware through various channels, including email attachments, infected websites, or compromised software. Once installed, malware can allow attackers to monitor activities, capture sensitive data, or gain control of systems. Protecting against malware requires robust endpoint security solutions, regular software updates, and employee education on safe browsing habits and the risks associated with downloading or opening suspicious files.

Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks have gained significant attention in recent years due to their disruptive nature and financial impact. In a ransomware attack, cyber criminals encrypt critical data or lock users out of their systems, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for restoring access. These attacks often exploit vulnerabilities in software or leverage social engineering techniques to gain initial access. Businesses can protect against ransomware by implementing strong security measures, regular data backups, network segmentation, and by educating employees about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or opening unknown attachments.

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
DDoS attacks are the oldest of tactics and aim to overwhelm a company’s servers, networks, or websites with a flood of traffic, rendering them inaccessible to legitimate users. Cyber criminals employ botnets, a network of compromised computers, to launch massive volumes of requests simultaneously. DDoS attacks can disrupt operations, cause financial losses, and damage a company’s reputation. Mitigating DDoS attacks requires proactive monitoring and network defenses, including traffic filtering, rate limiting, and load balancing mechanisms.

Insider Threats or Impersonation
Not all cyber-attacks are carried out by external actors. Insider threats refer to attacks or data breaches initiated by individuals within an organisation, whether they are disgruntled employees, malicious insiders, or employees who unintentionally compromise security. Insider threats can result in the theft of sensitive data, sabotage, or unauthorized access to systems. Companies should implement robust access controls, least privilege principles, and employee monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent insider threats. Regular security awareness training and fostering a positive organisational culture are also essential for mitigating these risks.

Exploiting Hybrid Workers & Home Networks
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work, resulting in a rise in the number of hybrid workers who split their time between office and home. While remote work offers flexibility and convenience, it also introduces new cybersecurity challenges. Cyber criminals often target employees working from home, taking advantage of their potentially less secure home networks and internet-connected devices.

Home networks are typically less secure than corporate networks, making them easier targets for cyber criminals. Weak or default router passwords, outdated firmware, and unpatched devices can serve as entry points for attackers. Once inside the home network, cyber criminals can launch attacks against both personal and work devices connected to the network.

Additionally, employees working remotely often use personal devices for work purposes, blurring the lines between personal and professional cybersecurity. This introduces a higher risk of compromised personal devices, which can be used as a stepping stone to gain unauthorized access to corporate systems.

Drop Attacks
USB drop attacks, also known as “USB baiting” or “USB drops,” are a devious social engineering tactic used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access to computer systems or networks. In this type of attack, the cybercriminal deliberately leaves infected USB drives or other portable storage devices in public areas, such as parking lots, office lobbies, or coffee shops, where unsuspecting individuals might pick them up. Curiosity often gets the better of people, leading them to plug the USB into their devices to see what’s on it. However, unknown to the victim, the USB contains malicious code or malware that can automatically execute upon insertion, granting the attacker access to the victim’s device or network. USB drop attacks exploit human curiosity and the instinctive desire to find the owner of a lost item, making them an effective and insidious technique used by cybercriminals to infiltrate systems with potentially devastating consequences.

Cyber criminals are constantly devising new ways to infiltrate and exploit businesses for financial gain or disruption, there are currently more than 900 ways that your business could be attacked. Understanding the methods they employ to attack companies is crucial for organisations to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. By addressing vulnerabilities, implementing robust security measures, educating employees about potential risks, and staying vigilant, businesses can significantly reduce their susceptibility to cyber-attacks. It is imperative to invest in proactive cybersecurity measures, including advanced threat detection systems, employee training programs, regular software updates, and incident response protocols. By taking a multi-layered and proactive approach to cybersecurity, businesses can effectively defend against the evolving threats posed by cyber criminals and protect their valuable assets.

Why Claratti Is Your Best Bet?
We’ve built an end-to-end technology offering, guarding your data from the outside in (Intelligent Firewalls & Single Port entry) as well as from the inside out.

We use a single trusted port philosophy, combined with a unique single use key, bound to the port to safeguard entry into your network. Once inside, we merge the user, their permissions to application then we wrap Data Loss Prevention (DLP) around the user’s access and the right to move data in/out of the organisation. The end user is not aware of what we are doing behind the scenes, it’s simply applied to enable them to do their day-to-day tasks and give management peace of mind that their data is safeguarded.

Once we have the user on-boarded, we then install a remote agent on every device, which allows our support team to monitor, update, report and protect every device connected to the company network.

We offer a customised solution to suit your business needs and budget. Each solution is different, the above being an example of our available offering. There isn’t a one-size fits all approach at Claratti.