Blog - Page 101 of 149 - SecureBlitz Cybersecurity

February 26, 2024

Cyber Security Risks And Solutions In 2024

This post reveals the cyber security risks and solutions.

Cyber security is essential for both business owners and individual users. For small companies, the average cost associated with a data breach is over $100,000. Larger businesses can afford to invest in solutions like identity and access management, but smaller companies don’t always understand the importance of online security.

Besides commercial losses and loss of customer confidence, non-compliance with legal requirements can result in thousands of dollars per month in fines and forfeiture of a commercial account.

Such expenses are enormous for a small online marketplace or a website with a list of casino games. Although they won’t make them spend the entire budget, they still may cause problems for their expansion.

Want to avoid any risks? Then follow these tips to protect your company and your security on the Internet.

Table of Contents

The Dangers of Carelessness on the Internet

If a user’s data is in the public domain or falls into the hands of fraudsters, he risks losing money and property. With a scan and photo of the passport, a stranger can even sell a victim’s property or sign up on unreliable websites.

Set Strong Passwords

Among our list of cyber security risks is using a weak password. Of course, it sounds unoriginal, but it’s essential. NordPass experts found that 10% of users use the most prominent input combinations, such as “123456” or “password.”

The machine can figure them out in just a few seconds. So, we decided to remind you that passwords should be complex. Use an unusual combination of words and replace letters with numbers and symbols.

Set a New Password Regularly

When signing up for a new resource, create a new password. Using different combinations for signing in everywhere reduces the risk of simultaneously breaking into all social networks.

By the way, you don’t have to change it every six months after that. Microsoft eliminated the requirement to periodically change passwords for its employees in 2019, finding it ineffective.

According to the company’s logic, changing your password several times makes no sense while complying with all modern security rules. So you can follow the best ideas and stop torturing yourself with inventing a new login combination.

READ ALSO: Best Antivirus For 2022

Clean up Your Social Media Accounts Annually

Anything that gets on the Internet stays on the Internet forever. We all know this thesis is one of the cyber security risks. But much of our data often remains only because we don’t even try to delete it. As time passes, photos in the feed go down, and others replace dramatic posts.

Carve out a few evenings for yourself and flip through the feed. You won’t like much of what was posted a few years ago. Remove all the information noise on your page, clean up your photos, and edit your personal information.

Don’t Share Personal Information on Your Social Media Pages

I am speaking of personal information. Try to share a minimum of information related to your life. Phone numbers, residence or office addresses, and emails can pose a severe threat if they fall into the hands of fraudsters.

Those who like to travel should pay special attention to this point and share it on their page. If you boast with a picture of the boarding pass, through the information on it, the attackers can get access to a personal account on the airline’s website, where the passport data and email are saved.

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Networks

Another mention on our list of cyber security risks is using public Wi-Fi. When you connect to a public network, your device is very vulnerable. There’s an increased likelihood of hacking your inbox, social media, and phone.

Turn off this feature in your settings to avoid automatically connecting to public networks. Open Wi-Fi is reliable when it requires authorization through your phone number and SMS code. To access the Internet safely from your laptop, distribute the network from your smartphone if mobile traffic allows it.

When the Internet is urgently needed but can’t connect to a trusted source, follow a few rules when using an open network. Don’t use public Wi-Fi to access social media, mail, and other essential services that contain your personal information. Don’t make online purchases or enter passwords.

Distinguish Phishing Sites From Real Ones

Scammers often force users to give them all the information they need so that they can withdraw money from their accounts. One such method is phishing. The user ends up on a phishing site by following a link from an advertisement, text message, messenger, social network, or email.

Such a site looks exactly like the bank’s official website. It contains a form for entering bank details to log into the online bank or the usual payment form, where the user must enter details for the transaction: card number, expiration date, and verification code.

When the user does this, the money from his account goes to fraudsters. It’s hazardous to enter such a website from your office computer because it can negatively affect you and your company.

READ ALSO: Best VPN For 2022

Read the Customer Agreement

Understand what you agree to before you hit that coveted “I Agree” button. You may inadvertently allow your data to be shared with the client base.

By buying such databases, companies get access to phone numbers of potent target audience representatives. At best, you’ll start getting frequent calls with annoying ads.

Don’t Give Remote Access

A fraudulent scheme is when attackers ask a bank customer to install a remote access application to check the security settings in the bank’s mobile app. The person installs an app that looks like a bank app, logs into their account, and leaves their smartphone unlocked for 15 minutes.

During this time, fictitious bank security officers promise to cancel the unauthorized transfer and return the money to the account. They gain remote access to the mobile bank and withdraw money from the account.

Trust Https

Don’t trust sites that use the HTTP protocol and enter card details on them. Many companies, developers of Internet services and browsers, have long been promoting the widespread use of https and the rejection of HTTP.

The https protocol encrypts the connection between the client’s browser and the bank, meaning the provider cannot get the user’s data.

Cyber Security Risks And Solutions In 2024: FAQs

What are the top cyber security threats in 2024?

Several critical threats are expected to dominate the cyber security landscape in 2024:

AI-powered attacks: Cybercriminals increasingly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to automate attacks, making them more sophisticated and challenging to detect. This includes using AI to create personalized phishing scams, automate vulnerability scanning, and launch more targeted ransomware attacks.
Ransomware evolution: Ransomware remains a significant threat, with attackers constantly evolving tactics. We can expect to see “double extortion” attacks become more common, where attackers encrypt data and steal it before encryption, giving them additional leverage for ransom demands.
Supply chain attacks target third-party vendors and partners within a supply chain to gain access to an organization’s network. Securing the entire supply chain becomes crucial as businesses increasingly rely on interconnected systems.
Cloud misconfiguration: Businesses migrating to the cloud face risks due to misconfigured cloud services. Accidental exposure of sensitive data or inadequate access controls can leave them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Phishing attacks: Despite ongoing efforts, phishing remains a persistent threat. As attackers refine their techniques to bypass traditional security measures, robust authentication systems and user education are crucial to combat these attempts.

What solutions can help mitigate these cyber security risks?

Several critical solutions can help organizations address these growing threats:

Embrace the power of AI: While AI poses threats, it can also be a powerful tool for defense. AI-powered solutions for threat detection, intelligence, and automated incident response can significantly improve security posture.
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): Adding an extra layer of security beyond passwords, such as fingerprints or one-time codes, significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if passwords are compromised.
Prioritize supply chain security: Organizations must work closely with vendors and partners to assess their security practices and ensure they have robust security measures.
Secure your cloud environment: Implementing best practices for cloud security, such as proper configuration management, access controls, and data encryption, is essential to protect sensitive data stored in the cloud.
Invest in user education and awareness: Regular training programs that educate employees about cyber threats, phishing scams, and best practices for safe online behavior remain critical in the fight against cybercrime.

Conclusion

By understanding the evolving cyber security threats and implementing suitable solutions, organizations can proactively defend themselves and minimize the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks in 2024 and beyond.

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Top 6 Hacks To Secure Your eCommerce Site Against Cyber Threats

Christian Schmitz

February 26, 2024

This post will show you the top 6 hacks to secure your eCommerce site against cyber threats.

ECommerce sites are a lucrative personal and financial data source for potential attackers. The impact on eCommerce businesses can be devastating. After a significant breach, 60% of companies tend to close down for good within six months.

The cost of breaches is so overwhelming in terms of recovery fines, damages, and penalties that it’s imperative for business owners now to pay attention to shoring up the security of their sites.

More importantly, a dent in customer trust in the case of an attack can also cause long-term damage to your reputation. In a recent survey, 87% of customers indicated they are liable to change where they shop if the company cannot handle their data responsibly.

Many businesses (especially eCommerce) tend to fall into the trap of over-valuing website functionality over cybersecurity, leaving them wide open for attacks. Many SMBs also lack the capital available to shore up their digital security and can fall prey to attackers easily.

Given the over-reliance of their business on their websites, any security breach leaves the whole business impacted with reduced chances of business continuity. For more information on cyber-attack prevention, consider contacting a reputable eCommerce Marketing Agency.

However, eCommerce business owners are aware of their responsibility to protect their and their consumers’ data and are trying to cope. According to the VMWare Carbon Black 2020 Cybersecurity Outlook Report, 77% of businesses bought new security products within the last year and 69% had invested in engaging security staff.

With government and legal standards also getting enforced more regularly, most businesses are now trying to meet set levels of security compliance, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

This article will explore the Top 6 Hacks to Keep your eCommerce Site Secure Against Cyber Threats.

Table of Contents

What Is eCommerce Security?

Cyber-attacks have reached a new high in the wake of the pandemic, and people increasingly rely on digital systems.

They have increased in volume and the degree of technical sophistication involved in the attacks. eCommerce sites happen to be a high-value target for attackers.

eCommerce security thus indicates the measures that eCommerce businesses can take to defend their data and their customer’s data and privacy from attacks.

Kinds Of Attacks Targeted Against eCommerce Sites

Many kinds of attacks can be targeted at eCommerce sites, but the majority of these attacks can be divided into:

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

A DDoS attack is an intentional disruption of traffic (server, service, or network) by drowning it in a flood of traffic that can prevent your legitimate customers and partners from accessing your site.

Malware and ransomware

“Malicious software” (malware) is a type of software that attackers try to install on victims’ systems.

Ransomware refers to a specific type of malware that can hijack the victims’ system until the attackers receive the ransom they ask for.

There are a few telltale signs when your system becomes infected by malware:

Links that are supposed to take you to a set destination redirect you elsewhere.
You receive new installs on your system that you didn’t authorize. These can include new toolbars, buttons in your browser, or new folders or icons on your system.
Your browser gets overloaded with many pop-ups, including but not limited to offensive ads.
Your system becomes uncharacteristically slow or tends to crash frequently. Your browser can also become unresponsive or set your homepage to a destination you did not place.
Your emails stop getting delivered.

Top 6 Hacks to Keep Your eCommerce Site Secure Against Cyber Threats

1. Check for Vulnerabilities

As stated above, every eCommerce company must comply with set industry-level security standards mandated by credit card companies. However, compliance does not guarantee the security of your whole eCommerce site.

To ensure holistic security, you must regularly probe your site for vulnerabilities and patch them as soon as they crop up. It is recommended that eCommerce business owners conduct regular VAPT to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities.

2. Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), and HTTPS authentication

SSL is the industry-established standard for safeguarding online transactions. The SSL certificate encrypts links between networked computers (users and the site) as well as in transit and also authenticates the identity of users.

That way, even if the end-user system is vulnerable, your transaction and the website remain secure under the SSL cover.

For most buyers now, the padlock icon and ‘HTTPS’ present a symbol of assurance to enter their personal and financial data on any eCommerce site.

Having an SSL certificate is essential for an ecommerce website. To fight against cyber threats, you should look at different SSL options like standard SSL cert, multi-domain wildcard, etc, that can fulfill the security requirements of an ecommerce business. However, other providers offer low-cost SSL certs to benefit every type of business.

3. PCI DSS Compliance

PCI DSS is another industry standard in which the customer’s credit card information is transmitted and stored securely.

These standards are set down by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) and mandated by credit card companies.

READ ALSO: eCommerce Design Trends

4. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), 2-factor authentication (2FA), or 2-step verification (2SV)

MFA, 2FA, and 2SV also guarantee additional layers of security for users. These ensure that on top of entering the required credentials to log into the site, all three methods need users to furnish another method of identity verification before they can log into your eCommerce store.

5. Brand Monitoring

Business owners need to realize that their brand is also a digital asset that attackers may try to exploit. You can employ special tools to keep an eye out for malicious usage of brand assets.

It can also help you avoid trouble in the long run and shore up against phishing attacks and copyright violations. A local Facebook ad agency in Los Angeles can help you set up your brand monitoring initiative.

6. Educate your customers and employees

Customers and employees can be your most significant vulnerability or line of defense against cyber attacks. You can also employ the services of eCommerce Marketing Services to keep your security policies and training updated.

Keep your customers and employees informed on security best practices and encourage customers to change passwords regularly.

eCommerce Site Security: FAQs

What are the most common cyber threats to eCommerce websites?

SQL injection attacks: Hackers inject malicious code into website forms to steal data from your database.
Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks: Hackers inject malicious scripts into your website to steal user data or redirect them to fraudulent websites.
DDoS attacks: Hackers overwhelm your website with traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
Malware attacks: Hackers can infect your website with malware that steals customer data or redirects them to malicious websites.

What are the consequences of a cyberattack on an eCommerce website?

Financial losses: You may incur significant losses due to stolen customer data, website downtime, and reputational damage.
Legal repercussions: Depending on the nature of the attack and the data compromised, you may face legal consequences and regulatory fines.
Loss of customer trust: A cyberattack can damage your reputation and erode customer trust, potentially leading to lost sales and business opportunities.

How can I stay compliant with data privacy regulations?

Familiarize yourself with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, which may dictate how you collect, store, and use customer data.
Implement appropriate data governance practices and ensure you have legal consent from users to collect and process their data.

What are some additional security measures I can consider to secure eCommerce site?

Implement two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary verification code when logging in, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to access accounts.
Use a web application firewall (WAF): A WAF can help filter out malicious traffic and protect your website from common attacks.
Offer secure payment options: Provide customers with secure payment options like PCI-compliant payment gateways to protect their financial information during transactions.

Conclusion

By implementing these top hacks to secure your eCommerce site against cyber threats and addressing common concerns, you can significantly strengthen your eCommerce website’s security posture and create a safer shopping environment for your customers.

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Common Causes Of File Loss

1. Deleting files accidentally

2. Mechanical damages

3. Virus infection of files

How To Recover Lost Files On A Computer

Method 1: Use IOLO Search and Rescue

Method 2: Recover lost files from the Recycle Bin

Method 3: Use the Command prompt or CMD

Data Recovery Solutions

How To Recover Lost Files On A Computer: Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I look first for lost files?

How can I recover files not in the recycle bin/trash bin?

What precautions can I take to prevent future data loss?

What should I avoid doing if I lose files?

When should I seek professional help?

Will data recovery software always work?

What are some signs that data recovery might not be possible?

How can I choose a reliable data recovery software?

What are some alternatives to using data recovery software?

How can I protect myself from future data loss?

Conclusion

What Is Hola VPN?

Is Hola VPN Safe?

Best Hola VPN Alternatives

Hola VPN Features

User Experience

P2P Network

Hola VPN servers

Data Security and Encryption protocols

Performance

Unblocking websites and geo-blocked streaming services

Cross-platform support with ten simultaneous connections

Logging Policy

Technical Details

Pricing

Why We Do Not Recommend Hola VPN?

Top Hola VPN Alternatives

Wrapping Up Hola VPN Review…

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Nulled Themes and Plugins: Explained

Legal Problems

Privacy Concerns

It’s Bad for SEO

No Updates For Nulled Themes And Plugins

No Support & Documentation

Nulled WordPress Themes and Plugins: Frequently Asked Questions

Why are nulled WordPress themes and plugins risky?

What are the legal implications of using nulled themes and plugins?

Are there safe alternatives to nulled WordPress themes and plugins?

Conclusion

The Dangers of Carelessness on the Internet

Set Strong Passwords

Set a New Password Regularly

Clean up Your Social Media Accounts Annually

Don’t Share Personal Information on Your Social Media Pages

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Networks

Distinguish Phishing Sites From Real Ones

Read the Customer Agreement

Don’t Give Remote Access

Trust Https

Cyber Security Risks And Solutions In 2024: FAQs

What are the top cyber security threats in 2024?

What solutions can help mitigate these cyber security risks?

Conclusion

What is MultCloud?

MultCloud Premium for Free

MultCloud Giveaway: How to get the license key?

FAQs about the MultCloud Giveaway

What is included in the giveaway?

Do I need to pay anything to participate?

How do I claim my free data transfer?

What happens after I use the 200GB data?

Conclusion

How to Configure a VPN on Chromecast

Best Chromecast VPN Services