Here, I will show you 4 cybersecurity best practices to prevent cyber attacks…

The past few years have seen the world increase its dependence on digitization. The use of digital tools has, likewise, increased exponentially. In turn, the spike in online activities has resulted in the creation of data so large that it’s estimated to reach almost five zettabytes by 2022. 

Considering that a zettabyte equals about a billion terabytes, five zettabytes mean you’d need about a billion one-terabyte hard drives to store such an amount of data.

This size illustrates how much digital information has grown over the past few years. And, with this increase also comes the increase in cyberattacks. 

Rise Of Cyberattacks

In 2021, the global cost of cyberattacks was more than USD$6 trillion, a marked increase from 2020, which was USD$1 trillion.

It’s also projected that the total cost of cyberattacks will reach USD$10 trillion in 2025. These are alarming figures, but such numbers are compelling arguments for shoring up your company’s cybersecurity. 

CHECK OUT: 2024 Cybersecurity: The Rise of CyberAttacks

The instances of attacks are getting numerous due to the increased digital presence of businesses, making targets plentiful. Automation has also increased, and since codes create this system, it can also create opportunities for hackers to access it if not properly secured.

Moreover, cybercriminals are also getting sophisticated. The more businesses use digital processes, the more opportunities there are for cybercriminals. You can check out our web security guide to learn more.

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An Overview Of Cyberattacks

Cyberattack refers to a malicious attempt done by cybercriminals or hackers to steal or attempt to steal data, or disrupt or cause damage to networks and computers.

Deliberate, malicious attacks like these can cause data breaches and cripple computers. Hackers can also use compromised computers as a springboard to launch attacks on other systems.

Here are a few of the most common cyberattacks:

• Malware
• Rootkits
• Password attacks
• Phishing
• SQL injections
• Denial-of-service (DOS) attacks
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks
• Zero-day exploit
• Cross-site scripting
• Insider threats

There have been security advancements to counter these rising threats. Currently, a kind of cybersecurity ‘arms race’ between hackers and security experts is going on. Moreover, hackers aren’t the only ones getting sophisticated.

Recent technological advancements, such as the addition of artificial intelligence (AI) and its subsets, like machine learning (ML), to cybersecurity, make it more difficult for cyberattacks to succeed.

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Cybersecurity Best Practices To Prevent Cyber Attacks

However, digital safety doesn’t stop at downloading and installing security solutions on your system. There are cybersecurity best practices that you need to implement in addition to cybersecurity solutions.

Below are some of the best practices that help you protect your technological infrastructure.

1. Raise Your Team’s Web Security Awareness

A 2022 report by the Ponemon Institute states that insider threats grew by 44% from the previous two years. Making all personnel in your company aware and educated about cybersecurity threats is, therefore, an excellent first step.

It won’t matter if you have state-of-the-art security solutions. If the company staff doesn’t take security threats as seriously as they should, no security system in the world can make you safe.

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Employees should follow your security team’s recommendations and help them appreciate the importance of following security policies and the dangers that cyberattacks pose. Instruct them about possible sources of threats and how to react to malicious activities.

Also, ensure that the entire company personnel knows about properly handling sensitive data. The IT department can also introduce training sessions and seminars about handling phishing attempts and using robust passwords. The seminars should also include how social engineering and scamware work.

Furthermore, establish security protocols for each computer, i.e., only approved apps should be installed, endpoint protection against malware, etc.

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2. Implement Regular System Updates

There’s a reason why regular system updates are standard operating procedures for businesses. For one thing, most software updates are security patches that address vulnerabilities discovered in the previous versions.

Updates also improve features, introduce new ones, and strengthen process stability. They keep your software up-to-date, fix bugs and other issues, improving system performance.

Security patches also help in ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to your data. Moreover, patches and updates help organizations follow the compliance standards of regulatory bodies, like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GPDR).  

Various software and operating systems can be updated centrally or manually using patch management software. Manual patch management works great with fewer computers, but this system might not be efficient when working with multiple devices.

Software patches are released continuously and can number up to hundreds, so an automated process is better to help you keep track of the devices and the updates.

Patch management software makes updating and patching your devices more straightforward to monitor. You can install the updates automatically, so there’ll be no need for the device user or IT staff member to search for new updates manually.

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3. Conduct Regular Penetration Testing

Cybercriminals are quick to pounce on vulnerabilities and exploit them. By doing penetration tests, you can discover weaknesses and vulnerabilities in your system and remedy them before anyone can exploit them. ‘Pen tests’ can evaluate your organization’s security, a sort of ‘fire drill’ to test your level of preparedness. 

A penetration test, or pen test for short, is a simulated cyberattack on your system to discover weak points in your infrastructure.

Such tests are typically performed by qualified security professionals, also known as ‘ethical hackers’ or ‘white hat hackers.’ However, there are pen test tools that can be automated and, thus, easier to run. A security team can run these tools for vulnerability scans, phishing simulations, and others.   

4. Back Up Your Data

To prevent any catastrophic losses and costly downtimes, create backups for all your data. Protection is great, but disasters could still happen. Your financial files, databases, account files, human resources files, and other vital records and documents should have backups. 

They should be stored digitally in the cloud and on different premises. Remember, disasters like floods or fires can happen, and you don’t want to be caught unprepared for such eventualities and end up losing all of your data.

Use any backup method you think is feasible. Ensure that making backups is scheduled regularly as one of the tasks of the IT staff. An up-to-date backup is one of the best defenses an organization can have in a ransomware attack.

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Final Thoughts

The threat of cyberattacks is increasing, and hackers are getting more and more sophisticated. However, cybersecurity has also come a long way. The addition of AI and its subsets, like ML, is proving to be a big boon to cybersecurity.

But, cybersecurity doesn’t stop at installing security solutions. There are cybersecurity best practices to prevent cyber attacks, like the ones discussed above, that enterprises should adopt to thwart such threats.

Note: This was initially published in August 2022, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.

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Learn how a PDF can contain malware in this post…

A PDF is one of the most frequently used file formats for sending documents, commonly used everywhere, a successful replacement for print-outs, and favorite means of attack among malicious actors. PDF files are not easily edited in comparison to rich text files and cannot just be opened and altered.

A PDF is typically used for contracts, bank statements, and other essential documents that need to be signed and sent. Unfortunately, a PDF file can contain a virus, but it’s not the text or illustrations that harm your device.

Instead, it is everything else within these files, combined with software, that triggers the threats. The “fill & sign” abilities of PDFs are where the danger is located, working from inside with the help of special scripts.

This article will discuss how malicious code can be lying dormant within a PDF file and how PDFs need proactive, multi-tiered protection against viruses and malware to keep them from infecting your device.  

How PDFs Can Contain A Virus

Security threats come in a number of different ways. PDFs may sometimes be embedded with code allowing documents to be signed and edited, and they may also contain viruses. A virus is a program that may change or delete data, while trojans typically gather information on a user or their device.

This is comparable to Microsoft Word files that are infected with viruses as the malware is hidden inside macros scripts, and the infected PDF file contains malicious JavaScript code.

Viruses, trojans, and malware can often be found in email downloads or attachments like eBooks and other documents and sent from unknown or unfamiliar senders.

Because PDF files can execute code on your device, dynamic and static elements can be manipulated to inject malicious scripts, such as: 

• Javascript: Javascript is used in coding to control browser appearance and functionality and has previously been used to exploit vulnerabilities in Adobe and other PDF readers.
• Hidden Objects: PDFs can have embedded and encrypted objects that are executed when a file is opened by the user, which prevents antivirus scanners from analyzing them.
• Multimedia Control: Embedded objects in a PDF can also be a QuickTime media or flash file, which have vulnerabilities attackers can exploit.

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How An Infected PDF Can Contaminate Your Device

As PDFs often contain scripts for extended capabilities, such as the fill and sign functionality, they can also display the date, add print buttons, and format data. Unfortunately, hackers will likely use more sophisticated methods to add malicious code to PDF files.

PDF readers are an unwilling accomplice of hackers due to the apps themselves or their plugins being able to run the injected code. Third-party plugins in PDF-reading software can also be a gateway for malicious scripts.

Another method attackers will use is PDF phishing, an approach where emails are sometimes executed more efficiently than generic phishing attempts and target specific recipients.

The content of the email won’t have suspicious links; instead, it will contain files with hidden viruses in the scripts, download links to malware files, or have a trojan virus disguised as a PDF in the attachment.

How To Protect From A PDF Virus

Should you receive a PDF from a suspicious sender, scanning the document for viruses is vital. It is possible to extract a safe copy of the file, but sometimes, it’s best not to open the document. Some other tips to prevent an infection include:

• Disable JavaScript on your PDF reader.
• Do not allow PDF readers to execute Non-PDF files using external applications.
• Disable PDF reader from Windows startup programs.
• Keep Macros disabled. Malicious files might persuade you to enable them, but you should not unless it is necessary.
• Do not download or open file attachments sent by unknown email senders.
• Ensure Windows OS, PDF reader program, and Antivirus is up to date.
• Back up regularly and keep it encrypted.
• Be cautious when clicking links in PDFs from unknown senders.

How A PDF Can Contain Malware: FAQs

PDFs are a convenient way to share documents, but they can also be a potential security risk. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about malware in PDFs:

Can PDFs actually contain malware?

Yes, PDFs can harbor malware just like other file formats. Hackers can exploit various features within PDFs to embed malicious code.

How do PDFs typically contain malware?

There are a few ways malware can sneak into a PDF:

• Embedded Scripts: PDFs can include JavaScript code. Malicious scripts can download malware, steal data, or redirect users to phishing sites.
• Hidden Content: Hackers might hide malicious code within the PDF itself, making it invisible to the naked eye. This code can activate when the user performs a specific action, like clicking a link or opening an attachment.
• Social Engineering: PDFs can be used in phishing scams. The PDF might look like a legitimate document from a bank or credit card company, tricking users into opening malicious attachments or clicking infected links.

What are some signs a PDF might be malicious?

• Unexpected Attachments: Be wary of PDFs containing unexpected attachments, especially if you weren’t expecting them.
• Typos and Grammatical Errors: Legitimate companies typically proofread their documents. PDFs with typos or grammatical errors could be a red flag.
• Urgency or Scarcity Tactics: Phishing scams often create a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure users into clicking links. Be cautious of PDFs that use such tactics.

How can I stay safe from malware in PDFs?

• Download from Trusted Sources: Only download PDFs from reputable sources. Avoid opening PDFs from unknown senders or suspicious websites.
• Disable JavaScript in Your PDF Reader: Most PDF readers allow you to disable JavaScript. This can help prevent malicious scripts from running.
• Keep Your PDF Reader Updated: Software updates often include security patches. Ensure your PDF reader is updated with the latest version.
• Use Antivirus Software: A good antivirus program can help detect and block malware hidden within PDFs.

What should I do if I suspect a PDF is malicious?

• Don’t Open It: The safest course of action is to avoid opening a suspicious PDF altogether.
• Delete It: Delete the PDF from your device.
• Scan Your System: If you’ve already opened the PDF, run a scan with your antivirus software to detect any potential malware.

The Bottom Line

Regardless of whether or not a PDF is infected, it does not solely depend on the file extension but also depends on the vulnerabilities in the software.

Because a PDF reader may potentially contain a buffer overflow vulnerability, an attacker can construct a special PDF file to exploit that vulnerability.

A PDF can contain a virus hidden in multimedia files, JavaScript code, hyperlinks, or system commands. The virus can be triggered in your system by opening the file or executing specific tasks.

To prevent malicious actors from infecting your device, you can test the PDF for malware and protect your systems from infection using best cybersecurity practices.

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