Hacking is one of the most significant cybersecurity threats facing organizations. According to IBM, it takes about 280 days for companies to realize they’ve been hacked. This makes hacking one of the most challenging cyberattacks to deal with. So, what’s hacking?
Hacking is the process of using your technical knowledge to break into a computer system or network. Today’s hacking is more sophisticated than ever before, and it has become a major issue for both business and government organizations around the world. The common types of hacking include distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), Phishing, and Password Cracking.
Below is a detailed look at some of the most common types of hacks and how you can protect yourself from them.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS)
These attacks involve using multiple systems to target one system causing it to malfunction, often by sending too many requests. Basically, this attack overwhelms a system such that it can no longer function.
The goal can be as simple as disrupting a network or website for a short period. Hackers don’t use this attack to steal data from computer networks they break into, just to cause disruptions and downtime.
Hackers who perform DDoS attacks may use malware-infected machines compromised with a Trojan horse or computer worms.
The best defense against DDoS attacks is to block the incoming traffic at the border gateway. There are various solutions available that can filter out illegitimate requests so that only legitimate users can access their systems.
Phishing
This is when an attacker sends emails to users with the goal of stealing sensitive information. Attackers can use this to gain access into your organization, often through social engineering techniques designed specifically for each attack’s target audience.
Attackers also send spear-phishing emails with more carefully crafted attacks with spoofed email addresses that appear to come from people within an organization or trusted source. These emails might ask a recipient to complete a bank transaction, share sensitive credentials, and more.
To remain safe from phishing attempts, you need to train your employees to look for suspicious emails. They should never click on links or download attachments without verifying their source first. Make sure you are using a dedicated spam filter service as well.
Password Cracking
With password cracking, an attacker uses tools and techniques to gain access to a system by using stolen or guessed passwords.
Password guessing/cracking attempts are often automated. These are known as brute force attacks. Users can help prevent brute force attacks by using long and complex passwords.
In rarer circumstances, passwords can also be discovered by compromising other credentials such as cryptographic keys or certificates stored on the system.
It’s always important to use strong, unique passwords for every account and website you use in order to increase security.
Use DataLocker’s Encrypted Drives to Prevent Hacking
Secure encrypted drives are an effective way to store data. With powerful encryption behind a super-strong password, it’s unlikely that hackers can ever gain access to your data.
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