For almost as long as the digital sphere has existed, people have sought to take advantage of its users. Cybersecurity is a must to make the most of your devices and stay safe online. But, there’s more to cybersecurity than installing some anti-virus software, especially since cybersecurity threats are always changing.
Once one cybercriminal finds a technique that works, many others will try their hand at it too. Understanding the methods that cybercriminals use is key to finding cybersecurity measures that can beat them. This means you need to be on the constant lookout for suspicious behavior and the newest protections.
But, unless you’ve fallen victim to a recent cyberattack, there doesn’t seem to be a surefire way to find out exactly what threats you’re up against. That’s why, in this article, we’ll be taking a deep dive into why cybersecurity threats are in a constant state of change, what you need to look out for, and how you can stay one step ahead of malicious cybercriminals.
The Evolving Nature of Cybersecurity Threats
To start, let’s take a look into the history of cybersecurity…
The first virus ever created was named CREEPER. In the 1970s, Robert Thomas, a programmer at BBN Technologies, released the virus onto his co-workers’ computers. As he had no malicious intent, Thomas simply wanted to see how a self-replicating code performed, CREEPER did not harm the functionality of the user’s devices. However, it did show just how quickly such a virus could spread if it was malicious. To counter it, one of the first antivirus programs was developed, named REAPER.
This story highlights some interesting things about the nature of cybersecurity threats and their protections. Usually, cybersecurity measures are on the back foot as they have to be specially designed to respond to a certain kind of threat.
Not to mention, since REAPER was created specifically to target CREEPER, it was useless in the battle against new viruses. This highlights another important aspect of cybersecurity; it quickly becomes outdated as cybercriminals find workarounds and create new threats.
This is why staying up to date on cybersecurity threats and trends is a vital step in knowing how to avoid and beat them. The evolving nature of threats turns cybersecurity into a constant battle, where proactive education and adaptability are your best weapons.
Common Signs of Cybersecurity Threats
Although cybersecurity measures are often designed to tackle emerging threats, there are some common signs of malicious behavior that are common across many attacks. Look out for these signs to spot and stop threats. These include:
Unusual Network Traffic - By using router logs, network monitoring software, and diagnostic tools, individuals and businesses can monitor their network traffic. Be on the lookout for unexplained spikes in activity, data transfers, or connections, as these can indicate a breach by cybercriminals looking to steal personal information, disrupt your services, or stop you from using your network altogether.
Phishing Attempts - Any unwanted contact, be it emails, text messages, or phone calls from an unrecognized sender should be treated with caution. Phishing attempts are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to convince you to share your information or download malware. These attempts may masquerade as important correspondence from well-known companies or important individuals, and this is known as…
Social Engineering - To get you to behave in a certain way, cybercriminals use social engineering. This means they will try to make you angry, scared, delighted, frustrated, or upset so that you will behave as they want you to. Be wary of any communication that is designed to elicit a strong emotional response from you, or that encourages fast action without thinking over what you’re doing.
Unsolicited Software Updates - Widely used and genuine software will have well-publicized updates. If you are prompted to update your software at unusual times or through unusual means, be sure to research and verify that the update is genuine. Cybercriminals often disguise malware and ransomware as genuine software or even anti-virus software.
Unwanted Pop-Ups - Persistent pop-ups have long been the bane of internet users, and most users know to ignore these and cease using the sites that prompt these pop-ups. However, malicious links can come in many forms, and can sometimes look like genuine ads for e-commerce sites or software. Avoid clicking on ads and if you want to check out a product, navigate to the site yourself through a secure browser.
Abnormal Account Activity - Be sure to set up two-factor authentication on all your online accounts. This will allow the site to contact you if any usual log-in activity is detected, such as multiple failed log-in attempts, or a log-in from an unusual geographic location. Once you receive one of these notifications, change your password immediately.
How to Stay Up to Date on Cybersecurity Threats
Even though there are some common signs of cybersecurity threats, attacks can change and new threats can develop quickly. Though attacks can vary on a case-by-case basis, gathering and sharing information on cybersecurity threats helps form a concerted defense, making the digital sphere a safer place.
Here are the best ways to gather information on the newest cybersecurity threats and trends:
- Subscribe to Threat Intelligence Feeds
Threat intelligence feeds are streams of information about emerging cybersecurity threats and the vulnerabilities they may prey on. They are often curated by reputable organizations such as cybersecurity firms or government agencies. Some threat intelligence feeds, such as the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team are free, but others, such as Proofpoint Emerging Threat Intelligence will need to be licensed.
Other popular threat intelligence feeds are FBI InfraGuard and AT&T Alien Labs Open Threat Exchange. Not only will threat intelligence feeds indicate the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that cyber criminals use, but they will also provide specific personal data about these criminals.
- Follow Security News and Blogs
Though they are not as specialized or timely as threat intelligence feeds, security blogs can provide helpful information and insights on recent cybersecurity threats and the best protections. These blogs can give you an overview of global cybersecurity measures and highlight the most dangerous threats you should look out for.
Popular cybersecurity blogs are krebsonsecurity, curated by Brian Krebs, an ex-cybersecurity journalist for the Washington Post, Darkreading, a global news and information portal that offers articles and analyses of various cybersecurity attacks, and The Hacker News, which offers breaking cybersecurity news.
- Attend Conferences and Webinars
Cybersecurity companies often host conferences and webinars that are free to attend or that you can purchase tickets to. These events bring together cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and industry leaders who share up-to-date information on emerging threats based on real-world case studies. Many even offer hands-on training so you can develop practical cybersecurity skills.
Popular cybersecurity conferences are SecureWorld, a touring conference that operates both online and in-person, and Black Hat USA, an annual conference that offers training and briefings for those interested in perfecting their cybersecurity.
- Enroll in Cybersecurity Courses
If you want to find out about recent threats and learn up-to-date defense strategies, enrolling in a cybersecurity course is a good idea. Many organizations offer free or paid training courses and certifications for beginners, or for those who want to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
If you just want to find out about personal cybersecurity, some popular courses are Khan Academy’s Internet Safety course and Heimdal’s Cybersecurity for Beginners. However, if you want to dive deeper into cybersecurity practices, Harvard University’s Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age course, and NYU’s Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization are informative options.
- Find Threat Reports
Multiple cybersecurity organizations and agencies release annual reports containing comprehensive analyses and statistics relating to various aspects of cybersecurity. They are easy to understand and provide actionable advice for everyone from cybersecurity professionals to individuals wanting to keep themselves safe.
Some of the best threat reports include Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), which provides insights into data breach patterns, tactics, and recent trends, and the Cisco Cybersecurity Reports series, which analyzes a huge variety of cybersecurity trends and best practices for intelligence and protection.
- Employ a Cybersecurity Professional
If you run a business, cybersecurity is all the more important as you need to protect your employees, your customers, and your business’s data. Employing a cybersecurity professional who will do all of the above will ensure your business is always up to date on threats and trends.
As well as having a cybersecurity expert on your team, it’s worth enlisting a third-party cybersecurity company or organization to run an audit. This will help highlight any weak points in your business’s security protocols and suggest changes based on the most recent information that can keep you and your business safe.
- Follow Cybersecurity Best Practices
Even though some advanced cybersecurity threats require specialized protections, there are a lot of tried and tested best practices that can prevent you from falling victim to a range of attacks. These defenses include visiting secure sites, sites with a padlock in the URL bar and ‘HTTPS’ protocols, changing your passwords every 3-6 months and never using the same password twice, ignoring communication from an unrecognized sender and blocking these senders, updating software and hardware as and when updates are released, and using a VPN.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving battle between cybersecurity attacks and protections, staying up-to-date on the latest threats and trends is your best defense. Unwavering vigilance and consistent adaptation benefit not only your own cybersecurity but the security of the networks, businesses, and organizations you are a part of.
Recognizing the telltale signs of a cyberattack can help you detect and defend against potential cybersecurity breaches before the damage is done. However, as cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving to stay one step ahead of security precautions, knowing common trends isn’t always enough.
By engaging with cybersecurity organizations and government agencies, you can gain insights into the most recent tactics employed by cybercriminals. Subscribing to intelligence threat feeds and security blogs, scrutinizing threat reports, enrolling in cybersecurity courses, and seeking help from cybersecurity professionals are all sound ways to ensure your cybersecurity knowledge is top-notch.
By staying at the forefront of cybersecurity information, you can empower and protect yourself from the newest threats and trends. Committing to your cybersecurity means you can navigate the ever-changing digital realm with peace of mind.
Sources
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/08/14/the-evolution-of-cybersecurity-and-how-businesses-can-prepare-for-the-future/
- https://www.codecademy.com/article/evolution-of-cybersecurity
- https://travasecurity.com/learn-with-trava/blog/the-evolution-of-cybersecurity-from-creepers-to-credit-cards
- https://www.esds.co.in/blog/signs-of-cyber-attack-and-how-to-respond-to-them/
- https://www.wavex.co.uk/top-16-warning-signs-that-could-indicate-a-cyber-breach/
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