We live in a digital era where we can access almost anything online. Digital websites allow us to access financial information, shop for goods and services, play games, and even meet friends on social media. This means we’re more exposed to cybersecurity attacks than ever. The good news is that there are several cybersecurity tips to protect your digital footprints. This starts with knowing the potential threats and how to deal with them effectively. Below, we have listed some common cybersecurity threats and how to mitigate these issues:

Phishing Scams

Research by AAG IT revealed that phishing comprises 79% of cyberattacks in the UK. The study adds that 91% of internet attacks start with a phishing email. Worldwide, phishing is the most common cybercrime, with over 3 billion spam emails sent daily. It’s simple; scammers can send you an SMS or email with malicious links. This trend is common on social media, where users often report hacked accounts.

At first glance, a phishing message can look authentic. But these messages are also easy to identify. Here is what a phishing message might look like:

• Claiming that you need to confirm payment or personal information.
• Saying that there is a problem with your account or payment details.
• Advising you to click a link to claim a reward or make a payment.
• Including an unrecognised email.

Before opening an unknown email or link, ask yourself if you have an account with the said company. You can also confirm if the email address is legit. If you’re still unsure, you can contact the company by phone or its official email/website.

Ransomware

Ransomware is another common technique online scammers use to steal data and finances. It’s an encryption Trojan that gets into your computer or mobile phone, limiting how you interact with the device. It achieves this by locking the operating system or encrypting your data. Just think of it as an intruder that holds your “digital house” hostage until you pay a ransom.

Use some of these tips to prevent ransomware attacks:

• Install an anti-ransomware program on all your devices.
• Avoid clicking unknown website links and spam messages.
• Don’t open or download suspicious emails or website files.
• Never run unknown USB sticks or CDs on your computer.
• Always browse the internet on a public network using a VPN service.

Malware

Some people use malware and ransomware terms interchangeably. However, there are differences. Malware (malicious software) is an overall term that includes ransomware, meaning ransomware is malware. In short, malware describes any type of malicious software sent to your device to jam it or steal information.

Besides ransomware, here are a few examples of malware to be aware of in this digital era:

• Spyware: An unwanted software that gathers information without your authority.
• Worms: Standalone malware programs that can duplicate themselves on other apps or systems.
• Virus: Malware that can spread to other computer systems.
• Trojan horse: A malware that behaves like a legitimate software or file.

Data Breaches

Research shows some 350+ million people experienced data breaches in 2023. In 2022, Consumer Sentinel Network received over 5 million data breach reports concerning fraud, identity theft, accidents, and others. These numbers are unsurprising because of the interconnected digital systems and unlimited information saved online. Attackers can use methods like malware, phishing, and data breaches to access sensitive data.

Make sure to always choose a strong password for your online accounts. Attackers generally target casino players with weak passcodes gotten from their name or date of birth. Therefore, if you’re a frequent high roller casino player of real money games, consider enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA (News - Alert)). This adds a layer of protection to your account by ensuring that you don’t rely on just your password alone to gain access to your account.  

Social Engineering

Social engineering attacks can manipulate you into sharing vital and personal data. Scammers can trick you into downloading software, visiting a website, or making payments. For example, a scammer can send you an email that looks like it’s from trusted partners or coworkers requesting vital details. Another social engineering technique is threatening you with a call from a government agency like the HM Revenue and Customs. They use the solicited information for identity theft.

Unfortunately, social engineering attacks can be challenging to prevent. That’s because they rely on human knowledge rather than technical intervention. It’s, therefore, vital to learn how to identify social engineering attacks and avoid giving out mundane information. Hackers can use your ID number, phone number, and date of birth to breach your online security. Antivirus software and firewalls can also come in handy.

Deepfakes

Robots have been threatening to take over the world. But this could soon be a reality, especially with Generative AI, which has good and not-so-good effects. GenAI can produce content like audio, image, text, and video. This technology couldn’t have come at a better time for online scammers who can generate deepfakes with superimposing human features. Put simply, they replicate human voices and create realistic experiences.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

Distributed denial of service attacks are primary cybersecurity attacks today. Attackers can use multiple compromised devices to flood the target network, system, or high-traffic website. The primary idea is to overwhelm the capacity of the server or network and its surrounding infrastructure. Once the traffic has been generated, the attacker can send directed attacks by instructing each bot on what to do.

There are numerous ways to detect a DDoS attack. The most obvious way is noticing the service or website has suddenly become slow or unavailable. However, it’s vital to note that there can be several reasons why the service has slowed down. You can identify a DDoS attack by looking at these telltale signs:

• Suspicious or high traffic from one or two IP addresses.
• High traffic from single geolocation, website browser, device type, and other similar characteristics.
• Spikes in traffic patterns during odd hours or after specific durations.

Insider Threat Attacks

Insider threats are cybersecurity concerns posed by individuals with access to an organisation’s network or security systems. These can be current employees, ex-employees, contractors, or partners with authorised or unauthorised access to the company’s files, applications, or data. Some of these actors can have malicious intentions and can sabotage the organisation. Employees can also become negligent with vital data.

To prevent insider threats, organisations must have a holistic threat management approach. This includes employee data security training, data monitoring, and frequent audits. Changing critical passcodes is vital when the handler leaves the organisation. Ensure former employees or partners cannot access the network or system. Moreover, investigate and act on employee behaviours that can lead to insider data threats.

Conclusion

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. Online scammers and hackers now use technologies such as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to innovate and scale up their attacks. This means you must stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices to anticipate, detect, and prevent potential threats. Remember that being proactive is always best when dealing with cybersecurity threats.