Understanding and Preventing Cyberattacks: Learn How To Protect Your Data

November 11, 2024

Introduction

The world today is becoming increasingly more reliant on digital systems. On the one hand, these developments lead to numerous benefits, especially in making processes faster and more accurate. However, with these advantages comes one significant drawback: the constant possibility of experiencing cyberattacks. These threats can cause organizations to lose data, which can eventually snowball into larger problems, like financial losses and reputational damage.

It's now impossible to stop relying on digital technology, so the best thing organizations can do is fortify their defenses against cyberattacks. They can employ experts in cybersecurity threat prevention in the Philippines to help them prevent unauthorized access to their data, which can lead to data loss or corruption.

At InfoBahn Communications, Inc., we can provide you with excellent cybersecurity solutions. However, if you are still second-guessing whether you really need our services, reading this blog can surely help. Below, we explain cyberattacks and enumerate a few examples of threats you should always be wary of.

Understanding Cyberattacks

In a nutshell, cyberattacks are malicious activities done in the digital realm. The primary intent is to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks to steal or damage data. Organizations can avoid falling victim to such crimes by increasing awareness and having cybersecurity threat prevention initiatives.

Cyberattacks range in scale and severity. There are small-time attacks that prey on individuals, which are often done through phishing, spoofing, and other strategies. They steal information (like bank account details or email passwords) and commit fraud. Of course, there are also large-scale attacks that specifically target entire organizations or even nations.

Cybercriminals have a wide range of motives. The most common and arguably the most obvious reason is the financial gain they can get by committing such acts. However, earning big bucks isn’t the sole driving force for people to become cyberattackers since others do it for:

Espionage– Some attackers want access to classified data hidden by nations or business competitors.
Making a Political Point– So-called “hacktivists” often wreak havoc on computer systems to promote political and ideological agendas.
Amusement– There are also attackers who do so just to “have fun”; organizations should still be wary of them because these acts are illegal.

Different Types of Cyberattacks

There are many types of cyberattacks organizations should be prepared for. A few examples are:

Malware-Based

Malware is short for “malicious software.” A malware-based attack involves tricking users into downloading and installing these harmful computer programs. All in all, malware-based threats are the most common kind of cyber threats, mainly because they come in many subsets or forms, including:

Ransomware– These attacks encrypt your data. You are prevented from accessing them unless you pay the attacker, hence “ransom.”
Trojan Horses– Deriving its name from the ancient Greek tale, a Trojan horse is disguised as a legitimate file. An unsuspecting user may download and install it, only to know later that it’s a harmful computer virus.
Spyware– Spyware infects computers and collects information about the victim. They gather web activity data without the user’s consent.

Phishing

Phishing attacks involve tricking you into divulging some sensitive data. The attacker may pose as a legitimate or trustworthy entity and convince you to share your login credentials, financial details, and other information. They come as deceptive emails, messages, or web pages that appear legitimate but are fraudulent.

DoS and DDoS

Short for denial of service, a DoS attack overwhelms a target server or network with excessive requests. This causes significant server or network traffic, rendering it unusable to legitimate users.

A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack is the same, except it is done on a much larger scale. DDoS attackers use multiple computers (also called a botnet) to cause traffic on their target network or server.

DoS and DDoS attacks cause major downtimes in an organization's processes, reducing productivity. In some cases, they also result in loss of data. This is why companies must have initiatives for data loss prevention in their network security to prevent such problems.

MITM Attacks

A man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack happens when someone sneaks through communication lines between two or more parties. With this setup, they can intercept data transmitted through those lines and steal confidential information, including login credentials, financial reports, and personal messages. MITM attacks occur on both wired and wireless networks, making them highly dangerous.

DNS Spoofing

Domain name system (DNS) spoofing refers to cyberattacks that involve someone redirecting legitimate website visits to malicious pages. This type of threat can lead users to unknowingly go to fraudulent websites, where they might input their personal data, such as login credentials and banking information.

Password Attacks

Password attacks are straightforward and involve stealing your login credentials to access your account or network. There are many ways to do this, and one example is using the so-called “brute force” method. With this technique, attackers will use different tools and software to input a high number of possible passwords (alphanumeric combinations) in seconds. You might get affected if you use easy-to-guess passwords.

Insider Threats

As the name suggests, insider threats are data security risks that originate from within your organization. They typically involve individuals who have or have had authorized access to your systems, including current or past employees. These people can either perform the attack on their own or sell your confidential data to someone who can hack your systems.

Keep in mind, however, that insider threats do not always involve intentional attacks. In some cases, people within your company may unknowingly share confidential information with others who are not part of your organization.

Cyberattack Prevention Tips

There are many ways to prevent your organization from being victimized by such digital attacks. Here are a few tips you can follow:

Protect Company Data by Limiting Access

Only some people in your organization need access to all your data, so you must set limits. You can implement role-based access control (RBAC) systems to ensure that only the right people can view, fetch, and edit your data. This significantly lowers your risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.

Educate Workforce on Cybersecurity

An effective prevention method for cyberattacks is cybersecurity awareness training among your employees. Regular sessions can help educate them on recognizing threats, including phishing attempts and malware scams. You can also provide training on safe web browsing practices to ensure they are not clicking dubious links and unintentionally divulging sensitive information.

Regularly Update Software

You might think updating software is a hassle, but doing it regularly can help you defend against cyberattacks. Outdated software sometimes has vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. It is advisable to always use the latest version to eliminate these gaps and ensure that our systems are protected from known threats.

Install Endpoint Protection and a Firewall

Endpoint security software can help you detect and remove viruses that can infect your computer. Your endpoint protection software is among your first lines of defense against major attacks. Firewalls, on the other hand, are used to allow or block network traffic, giving you protection from malware that can be sent to you through your network.

Conduct Vulnerability and Penetration Testing

Regularly conducting vulnerability and penetration testing is a way to determine any weak spots in your organization's cybersecurity initiatives. It is crucial to seek help from experts with this one to identify and eliminate vulnerabilities that cyberattackers can exploit properly.

Back Up Your Data

Backing up your data is fundamental to cybersecurity because it ensures data recovery. In the event of data loss due to cyberattacks or hardware failures, you can be confident that data can be retrieved easily. Having reliable backups in place—whether through cloud or physical servers—is necessary to minimize downtime and potential delays in your business operations.

Use WiFi Security Measures

Implementing WiFi security tactics is necessary to prevent unauthorized network access, which can lead to data breaches and other cybersecurity problems. Secure WiFi systems also prevent interception and protect sensitive information from being transmitted over the network. This is a way to safeguard your data from cyberattackers and ensures the confidentiality and privacy of your organization’s data.

Improve Your Cybersecurity by Consulting With a Trusted IT Company

InfoBahn Communications, Inc. is your trusted IT company in the Philippines. We have cybersecurity experts on our team, and they will be more than willing to help protect your organization from different kinds of cyberattacks. What we can do is assist in identifying threats and determining weaknesses in your defenses; we can also suggest practical ways to improve your cybersecurity initiatives.

Rest assured that our company has been in this industry for many years. We have the knowledge and expertise to provide professional help to companies and organizations not just in the Philippines but worldwide. For more information about our cybersecurity solutions, contact our team today! We will be more than happy to assist you.

FAQs About Cybersecurity Threat Prevention in the Philippines

What Are the Cybersecurity Issues in the Philippines?

The Philippines is known to be one of the countries most targeted by web-based or digital attacks. Some of the most common issues organizations and individuals face are local malware spreads and phishing.

What Are the Laws Related to Cybersecurity in the Philippines?

The Philippines has several laws related to cybersecurity. A few examples are:

Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) –The law defines various cybercrimes and prescribes penalties for hacking, identity theft, fraud, and malware distribution.
Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012) –This specific law was passed to properly regulate how personal data is processed in government and private offices.
National Cybersecurity Plan 2022 – The National Cybersecurity Plan 2022 is not exactly a law. Instead, it is a cybersecurity threat prevention initiative by the Philippine government through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to address more complex forms of cyberattacks. It is considered an effective

Who Is Responsible for Cybersecurity in the Philippines?

We are all responsible for our own security and safety in the digital world. This is why it is crucial for anyone who accesses the internet and uses digital devices to be familiar with the different kinds of threats that can affect them. Organizations also need to improve their cybersecurity measures by seeking help from professionals with more specialized skills.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity threat prevention is crucial for any organization in the Philippines. The truth is that cyberattacks can happen almost anytime, and they come in the form of malware incidents, phishing scams, and more. What business owners like you can do is be thoroughly prepared by improving your cybersecurity measures.

InfoBahn Communications, Inc. is here to provide you with the needed assistance. Our cybersecurity specialists have the knowledge and skills to help you fortify your defenses against potential digital threats. Contact our team today to learn more about our services.