Modern living has become easier and more seamless thanks to the use of the Internet. However, like most good things, there are certain drawbacks and risks that we face because the internet is not as safe as we want it to be. Because of the nature of the internet and how it collects our personal data, there are many vulnerabilities that users face with the increase in internet connectivity.
These vulnerabilities are more commonly known as cyber attacks. While there are measures you can take to guarantee that you are properly protected against these, it still helps to know more about these methods of cyber attacks in order to be more aware of them and the possible repercussions involved should you or your business ever fall victim to these.
Phishing attacks are a form of cyber attack that makes use of fraudulent emails that contain links that are designed to trick users into giving out their private information, such as your bank details and your personal information. Sometimes, all the user has to do is click on the link in order for the phisher to steal your information.
These particular emails and links look very similar to the real deal, making it more difficult nowadays for internet users to tell the difference between a fake email and a real one.
Denial-of-Service Attacks (DoS)/ Distributed-Denial-of-Service Attacks (DDoS)
A DoS attack is carried out by having the attacker sends a large volume of requests to a site until its server overloads and is rendered incapable of handling the requests. This leads to its eventual network crash.
While your chances of falling victim to a DoS attack are slim unless you are a large corporation or government entity, you might still be affected if a site on your network has been targeted by a DoS attack.
Malware is the general term for malicious code such as viruses and Trojans. These types of attacks are designed to either steal user data, or destroy something specific on the user computer. It is very easy to fall victim to malware, as you can introduce malware to your system accidentally through downloads, or by clicking on a link.
These sometimes take on the appearance of software that you might end up downloading on to your system. These links and downloads look very similar to the original, which can trick you into consenting to the rogue software’s installation.
Another type of malware takes on the form of “maladvertising”, or online ads that contain malware that can negatively affect your computer. Once you click on an ad that contains malware, it automatically downloads the malicious code on to your system.
The best way to protect yourself from these attacks is a combination of online vigilance, a legitimate anti-virus program, and common sense. It is also a good idea to invest in a good firewall as well as VPNs that can protect you and any other users on your network against any possible attacks. It’s best to take your time when buying a VPN. As long as you watch out for the possible warning signs of a cyber attack, you can protect yourself against these.