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In times of global cyber-conflict, it is more important than ever to stay safe and secure online. While there are no known or credible cyber attacks on the United States at this moment, Russia’s recent unprovoked attack on Ukraine, which has included cyber-attacks on the Ukrainian government and essential infrastructure organizations, may have an effect on businesses beyond that region.
Every organization, whether big or small, must be able to react swiftly to cyber-disruption or cybersecurity breaches. Here are a few cyberattacks to be aware of and ways you can prevent cyberattacks from affecting your business.
Types of Attacks
There are several different kinds of cyberattacks that businesses should be aware of during a global cyber conflict. These include:
Malware
Malware is a type of software that is designed to harm or disable computers and computer systems. Malware can be delivered through email, websites, or USB drives.
As always, the best malware prevention is to avoid infection in the first place —a risk you can minimize by ensuring that your assets are up to date and using strong access controls, including multi-factor authentication.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that locks users out of their computer or device until a ransom is paid. Businesses can protect themselves from ransomware by backing up their data regularly and ensuring that their antivirus software is up to date.
Phishing Campaigns
Phishing campaigns are emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source but are actually sent by cybercriminals in order to steal personal information.
To protect yourself from phishing, never open attachments or click on links in emails from unknown sources, and always verify the legitimacy of an email request before responding.
DDoS Attacks
DDoS attacks are a type of attack in which cybercriminals flood a website or online service with traffic from multiple sources, rendering it unusable. Businesses can protect themselves from DDoS attacks by using a quality firewall and by ensuring that their bandwidth is sufficient to handle large volumes of traffic.
How to Stay Secure During a Global Cyber-Conflict
There are a number of things businesses can do to stay safe and secure online in times of global cyber conflict. Here are some tips:
Update Your Assets
One of the best ways to prevent your business from becoming a victim of a cyber attack is to make sure your assets are up to date. This means keeping your software and systems up to date, as well as your security patches.
Use Strong Access Controls
Another way to prevent cyber attacks is to use strong access controls, including multi-factor authentication. This will help to ensure that only authorized users have access to your systems and data.
Back Up Your Data
Backing up your data is one of the best ways to protect yourself from ransomware and other types of malware. By regularly backing up your data, you can ensure that you will not lose your information if your computer is infected.
Ensure Your Bandwidth is Sufficient
If your business is susceptible to DDoS attacks, make sure you have enough bandwidth to handle large volumes of traffic. This will help to ensure that your website or online service does not go down during an attack.
Retrain Employees
One of the best ways to prevent your employees from falling victim to phishing attacks is to retrain them on how to identify phishing emails. This includes teaching them how to look for spoofed email addresses, unusual grammar or misspellings, and unexpected attachments.
Stay Secure with GXA
Cybersecurity is a critical issue for businesses of all sizes. By taking the steps above and being aware of the current cyber threats, you can help to ensure that your business is safe and secure online in times of global cyber conflict.
To learn more about cybersecurity and how to keep your data safe, contact GXA today. We provide expert advice and services to help businesses protect themselves from cyber-threats.