Have you ever considered how easily your personal information can be compromised and how simple it is to fall victim to a cybercriminal? An increasing number of cyberattacks target businesses, expose sensitive customer information and violate people’s right to privacy. People are still frequently the weakest link in cybersecurity attacks, even if they are becoming increasingly aware of cybersecurity concerns. People’s lack of security awareness is a primary target of cyberattacks since they are more likely to engage in risky activities that jeopardize security, such as opening malicious email links or on webpages (Ng et al., 2021). Some of the major threats discussed in this report are media attacks, outdated software, and proxies.
It is possible for cybercriminals to launch attacks ranging from highly targeted to mass-scale using social media platforms. These social media serve as a conduit for traffic to other online destinations. They try to guess which sites their victims will go to and infect them accordingly. If and when those members access those sites, they risk contracting the malware planted there. Cybercriminals could use this software as a backdoor to gain access and steal data. Proxy servers, frequently employed by fraudsters, are yet another serious threat to data integrity. To put it simply, a proxy server mediates communication between a user and the wider web. A properly designed proxy offers high levels of anonymity and keeps no records of user activity, making it difficult for authorities to track the location (Graham, Olson, & Howard, 2017). The vast majority of attackers today utilize proxies to mask their IP addresses. This makes it easy for attackers to initiate attacks, steal money, or commit other forms of fraud while exposing themselves to little danger. An attacker can intercept requests and steal sensitive data by manipulating the owner’s file or browsing settings using the proxy.
Another significant danger to data security is outdated security programs. Because of numerous high-profile security events, developers are becoming more aware of the significance of software security. The software manages our private data, processes our financial transactions, facilitates our interpersonal and social interactions, and stores our most private memories and recollections. Due to software’s widespread use, security flaws and related assaults have become increasingly commonplace (Acar et al., 2017). Because of the dangers involved with using out-of-date security software, it is crucial to keep it updated on a regular basis.
References
Acar, Y., Stransky, C., Wermke, D., Weir, C., Mazurek, M. L., & Fahl, S. (2017). Developers need support, too: A survey of security advice for software developers. 2017 IEEE Cybersecurity Development (SecDev). Web.
Graham, J., Olson, R., & Howard, R. (2017). Cyber security essentials (1st ed.). Auerbach Publications.
Ng, K. C., Zhang, X., Thong, J. Y. L., & Tam, K. Y. (2021). Protecting against threats to information security: An attitudinal ambivalence perspective. Journal of Management Information Systems, 38(3), 732–764. Web.