Outwitting the Intruder- The urgency to put Cybersecurity measures ahead of imminent threats. - Part 1
“In the end, the only safe place to put a Trojan horse is outside your walls.”
― Robert Harris, Conspirata
We all know the story of how Greek soldiers were able to take the city of Troy after a fruitless ten-year siege by hiding in a giant horse supposedly left as an offering to the goddess Athena. Metaphorically, a "Trojan horse" has come to mean any trick or stratagem that causes a target to invite a foe into a securely protected bastion or place. A malicious computer program that tricks users into willingly running it is also called a "Trojan horse" or simply a "Trojan".
Jump to the 22nd-century end of the Year 2022 and we see that the Trojan horse keeps raising its malicious head in various new avatars. Here are some of the ways in which your proverbial digital fortress can be violated. Let us look at the top imminent threats in the year 2023-
1. Malware- short for #MaliciousSoftware, this is a type of unwanted software that is installed on your machines without your consent. #Viruses, worms, and #trojan horses are some examples of malware. Maintaining current updates to #SecuritySoftware and firewalls crucial to intercept this rapidly evolving #malware.
2. #Ransomware- is a serious security threat that has data kidnapping capabilities. It is like an intruder who shuts you out of your own house and asks you for money to open the door and allow you in. Akin to that Ransomware limits access to files or system functions. Then it forces the victim to pay a ransom (often in bitcoins) to regain access to the files and systems. New variants called Crypto-ransomware spread via spam emails and hijack your files and lock them up with heavy encryption. One step Organizations can take is to audit the security measures that their suppliers and vendors use to ensure that the end-to-end supply chain is secure.
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3. #Phishing- a type of online identity theft that uses emails and fraudulent websites to mimic a legit website and steal sensitive information such as financial data such as credit card numbers, passwords, and any other crucial information often with disastrous financial consequences. Employee training on how to recognize dubious emails, report them and refrain from opening them can really help. #IT should collaborate with HR to ensure that employees are adequately trained on being cautious and prudent about opening emails.
4. #IoT- Unsecured IoT devices provide an easy gateway for criminals looking to get inside a network. Many IoT devices are built with almost no security at all. If the device is discoverable on the internet, and it's connected to the rest of the network, it's an easy-to-use gateway for attackers. In 2020, 61% of companies were using IoT, and this percentage only continues to increase. With the expansion of IoT, security risks also grow. Continual updating of system defenses, IoT deployment factoring in control of outliers without human intervention, mandated password changes before devices go operational, preemptive security measures enforced during installation, and partnering with the right vendor to protect your data are some of the measures that need to put in place to counter IoT #vulnerabilities.
In part 2 we will discuss a few more potential threats that can corrode the security of your digital ecosystem. Stay tuned with Integration International Inc. , your trusted cybersecurity partner.
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