Beginners Guide To Cyber Security: Basics

Cyber security is a field that is growing and changing rapidly and this means that it's a challenge to keep up. There is a lot of buzz about it because it's growing and changing so quickly and this means that there are a lot of new terms that you need to learn. It's like trying to read an entire new language that you don't understand. So this blog will break down the basics of cyber security, the primary challenges in the field, and some tips to help you navigate the world of cyber security.

It is a fact that cyber-attacks have grown from being a nuisance to being a major threat to businesses and industries worldwide. A report from Verizon showed that cyber-attacks have grown from an average of 400 per 100,000 attacks in 2014 to more than 500 per 100,000 attacks in 2015. In addition, the losses caused by these attacks are also on the rise.

No organization is completely safe from cyber-attacks. With almost every business connected to the internet, you can be sure that you will be attacked at some point.

Solution: Learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity early to prevent your organization from falling prey to engineering vulnerabilities that hackers try every day.

There are a lot of cyber security courses and challenges that can be researched on the internet. After some time, it becomes difficult to differentiate the valid sources from the scam sites.

Look for a list of vetted sites that are usually recommended by cyber security specialists.

DeTaSECURE.com is one of the most trusted sources of information on cyber security for beginners. These are tried and tested methods, implemented by specialists.

1. Types of Cyber Security Attacks

Cyber attacks are usually carried out for the purposes of financial gain, espionage, and political purposes. Hacking is the act of illegally accessing a system to obtain information. Cyber bullies target individuals and organizations by sending threatening or harassing messages, typically over the Internet in the form of e-mail or text. Cyber stalking is when someone uses information and communication technologies to control, harass, or spy on someone else. DDoS attacks are when multiple systems are used to target an online service with the intent to overload systems and prevent users from accessing the service.

2. Why You Need a Cyber Security Measure in Place

Cyber security is a hot topic in the news lately, with a lot of people scared of what might come next. With the rise of social media and the internet, our entire society is being affected by digital threats. You may have heard of a few of the intrusions that have been going on lately, such as the Equifax breach or the Yahoo breach. We live in a digital society, and the threats are only getting more and more complex. Today it is more important than ever to have a cyber security measure in place.

3. Beyond the basics of Cyber Security:

Security is a broad subject and it’s hard to get a grasp on all the specifics, especially if you’re a beginner. As we mentioned in our earlier blog entry on the basics of cyber security, there’s a lot to cover and it can be overwhelming. The topic of cyber security is constantly evolving and the threats also change often. If you’re just starting out in the world of cyber security, you’re going to have a lot to learn. Luckily, we’re here to help you get a grasp on the fundamentals of cyber security and get you started on the right track.

a) Ransomware

Ransomware is a malware program that prevents the user from using their computer, and essentially holds their files hostage. This can be done by encrypting the files, and/or demanding a ransom, paid in hard currency such as Bitcoin or prepaid cards such as Ukash or Paysafecard. Ransomware was originally a subset of a family of malware known as Trojan horses, which was designed to install itself into a computer without the user's knowledge. The original Trojan horse was the work of Odysseus, but many other versions and variants exist. Ransomware is currently the fastest growing type of malware, and has affected users and businesses all over the world.

b) Denial of Service Attacks

A Denial of Service (DoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt a network or internet service by flooding it with traffic. The attack itself is not intended to gain access to the network, but is used to disrupt services of the site or host that is being attacked. The attack is like a “digital sit-in” where the attacker, or attackers, send a huge amount of traffic to a particular network or server with the intention of making it inaccessible to legitimate users. A Denial of Service attack is mainly a brute force attack against a network. A brute force attack is a trial and error method where a program tries a large number of possibilities to crack a password or to get into a system. Such attacks are not usually serious attacks as they are easily detected and prevented.

c) What a DDoS Attack is, and how to Prevent it

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to render a service unavailable to users by overloading it with traffic from multiple sources. DDoS attacks are often used to take down websites or internet infrastructure, but can also be used to target individual users. The attacker seeks to cripple the service by flooding it with communications requests from multiple systems. The attack traffic can be generated from many different types of devices, including compromised computers, smartphones, and Internet-connected devices such as IP cameras, routers, or printers.

4. How to Protect Against Cyber Security Attacks

According to the Global Risk Report, cyber attacks are the biggest threat to business continuity. Cyber-attacks are not limited to stealing credit card numbers or identity theft, the damage caused by cyber attacks are far more severe if it happens to a business. Cyber-attacks are often focused on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These three things are the cornerstones of security. If any of these three are compromised, there is a high chance of business failure or major losses.

One of the most important tools when it comes to security is the right mindset, with the right mindset cyber threats can be dealt with.

As cyber security is a broad industry, we decided to break down the basics and primary challenges in the field. This blog post has been incredibly helpful to people who are looking to break into or learn more about cyber security. We hope that this post has been helpful to you! If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for reading!