Cyber Security Threats

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What exactly is Cyber Security?

We are commonly using the term for all technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, devices, programs, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. These steps are always being used to protect IT systems and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data services.
Secure and trustworthy online environment is the most important precondition of any social and economic interaction.
Our nation is spending more time online and having that in mind, they are even more exposed to viruses, hackers, spyware and phishing. CTS Systems is fully dedicated to maintain high level of awareness, and to expose the most common Cyber Security threats – we even now have a new website dedicated to all PC and networking troubleshooting. And now, we will explain how you can protect your PC and your connection.

What are the main security threats?

Even if your wireless network is secured, you are constantly in danger of security threats, such as viruses, adware, and malware, spyware, and ‘phishing’ scams.

Viruses are probably the most dangerous of all security threats. These are specially crafted computer programs made specially to infect any computer or device and do significant damage. You are exposed to a probable stealing of private data, changing and disabling of settings and applications, to the complete rendering of your devices or programs unusable.
Adware is a special kind of software standing behind pop-up and browser ads on a computer. Adware can be downloaded and installed to your computer automatically while you are browsing and can infect Windows and Apple systems. To protect against Adware, you should install and run a reliable security program. We are advising our customers to be very careful while browsing the internet and to avoid any clicking on those banners and commercials.

Spyware – this kind of malware monitors the websites you visit and takes notes of personal information like passwords and banking information that you have entered. In that case, the hackers can use it to break into your online banking or other online accounts. Spyware is usually installed unknowingly when you download other programs or applications. People most commonly infect their computers when they download freeware programs.

Cookies are designed to put an identifier on your hard drive so that certain websites can remember you when you visit, or remember what you do when you are on a particular website. There are two main types of cookies: session cookies and permanent cookies. Session cookies are usually used for individual browsing sessions and are common with shopping websites, for keeping track of items in your shopping basket for example. Permanent cookies help retain user preferences for a particular website. Most cookies are relatively harmless, but tracking cookies monitor your browsing information and this can be used by hackers to obtain personal details, such as bank account and credit card information. The good news is that cookies can be deleted via the settings menu of your browser.

Phishing usually involves emails or texts made to look like it is from a person or institution that you know. Since they are usually in it for the money, most of those emails come from “banks”, or other financial institution that may be of your interest. Most common emails from banks are explaining that there is an issue with your account, urging you to verify your personal information or PIN number. If you click or enter your data, you are providing those who are running phishing scams which your personal account data which is then used fraudulently. The process is becoming more sophisticated by the day and now involves clone websites that look just like the real thing. If you are just a little more careful, you can easily reveal them as fraudulent. To avoid phishing scams, communicate personal information only via phone or secure websites (https) that have been verified by a security certificate. Do not click in any way on links or download files from suspicious emails. Use your personal logic – legitimate businesses and individuals will never ask you for personal or banking information by email or a pop-up.

Now back to home wireless network

Almost everyone nowadays have Wi-Fi wireless broadband routers. This part of your home network is the most vulnerable part of your internet set-up. Most of you had followed the instructions given by your broadband provider to set up a WPA or WPA2 security tool. But, if you see a ‘lock’ icon next to your wireless network, it doesn’t mean you are actually safe. Depending on the network configuration, it is also possible to inject and manipulate data. An attacker might be able to inject malware into websites. The vulnerability affects a number of operating systems and devices, from Android, Linux, Apple, Windows and others. WPA2 is the latest generation of WPA security, and if your router was manufactured after 2006, it must support WPA2.
The WPA2 protocol uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), so this seems to be the best current solution to Wi-Fi encryption. Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) is a protocol that was developed to secure 802.11 wireless networks by using 128-bit encryption and passwords to prevent hackers’ prying eyes from viewing private information.

It is likely that we would probably have a new protocol due to the constant change in technology and internet security. The encryption game is somewhat of the” consummate illustration of the Coyote and the Roadrunner; just when the Coyote seems to have victory within his grasp, defeat crushes him in the form of an Acme anvil.”

The most important things to do first Is to have good internet security software installed and to set up your wireless home network so that is it secure. Read, call or write to your broadband provider, it is very important to cover all bases. Your broadband provider may have a security package as part of your contract, and some may have their own features particular to their products.