Because of the evolving nature of technology, people have acquired a better grasp of the internet and how to meddle with it. This has caused a growth in computer-related or conducted crimes. Government systems, corporations, and individuals are constantly being targeted by malicious hackers. Because of this, we have seen the rise of cybersecurity, or more commonly known, computer security. Not only does this concept facilitate the prevention of computer crimes, but it is also used for the protection of data and sensitive information.
Cybersecurity is known as the practice of defending computers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious or cyber-attacks. It is also known as information technology security or electronic information security. This term can be seen in a variety of contexts, like business and mobile computing, but it can also be divided into a few common categories.
The first category is network security which refers to the practice of securing a network from invaders like hackers and malware. Then, we have application security which focuses on keeping most devices and software free of threats. If an application is compromised, it could end up distributing sensitive data and information. Lastly, information security is designed to protect the integrity and privacy of one’s data.
The existence of computer security is essential as it prevents data theft. This would include bank account numbers, credit card information, passwords, etc. These are all essential in our world today as our daily actions depend on the security and reliability of data paths. The data stored in computer systems can be misused if fallen into the wrong hands. Intruders can modify program codes and utilize your pictures or personal accounts to create derogatory content. This would include things such as pornographic images or fake and offensive social media accounts. Hackers will also regularly intrude on a computer to hack another computer or website. They also often hack computer systems to cause data loss. To prevent this, it is necessary to protect your computer, which is then when we see a rise in the need of cybersecurity.
One of the most common cyber threats to computer systems is malware. This is a type of software that hackers have created to disrupt or damage a computer system. These types of software are often spread through email attachments or downloads. Cybercriminals will often use malware to make money or to find information for politically motivated cyber-attacks. A way to maintain your computer system safe is through firewalls. A firewall is a security-conscious piece of hardware that sits between the internet and your network to prevent intruders from passing. It acts as a security guard as all network traffic that comes into and out of your local area network has to pass through the firewall.
Another form of protecting your computer and its data is through antiviruses. This is software that will find programs, files or softwares that might compromise your computer; viruses usually exploit the vulnerability of the program that is normally supposed to process them. The antivirus manages to detect these types of programs that have already been installed or will be installed on your computer. This system can perform various protective measures such as quarantine and permanent removal of files.
One of the latest cyber threats was Dridex malware in 2019. The U.S Department of Justice put in jail the leader of the organized cyber criminal group for this attack. Dridex is a type of malware software that infects computers through misleading emails or already existing malware. This malware is capable of stealing passwords, banking details, and personal data. This attack has caused massive financial losses amounting to $1.6 million.
Cybercriminals and hackers are constantly targeting the world of computer systems. Because of this, we, as users, have to try to keep our systems as secure as possible. This can be mainly achieved by updating your operating system, using antivirus software, creating strong passwords, etc. The world of technology is constantly advancing, and we, as individuals, need to be constantly adapting to all these changes to stay safe.
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