What Happens When A Cyber-attack Hits Your Business?
Have you ever wondered what happens when a cyber-attack hits your business? How can you prevent it from happening? What are the consequences if such an attack does occur? Read this post to find out. Our experts will give you preventive tips and share their knowledge about the aftermath of a successful attack, as well as how to recover from one.
What Is Cyber-Attack?
A cyber-attack is the use of a computer to attack other computers. A perpetrator will typically break into systems and extract information, corrupt data or disrupt operations in order to cause problems for those being targeted.
Common Types Of Cyber Attacks:
Trojan horse – A malicious program hidden inside another software
Ransomware – Malicious software which encrypts your data and demands payment in order to decrypt it
Defacement – Attackers will infiltrate websites, replace their content with defamatory messages or images. DDoS attack (Distributed Denial of Service): an attempt by one entity to overload the servers of its target and take them offline through sheer volume of requests for access. The goal is usually either disrupting business activity at a site or getting revenge against someone who has embarrassed the attacker online.
Denial-of-service (DOS) attacks – are the most common type of cyber attack. This is when an attacker overburdens a system, like your website or email server with requests in order to make it unavailable for legitimate users.
An important way you can protect yourself against DOS attacks are by using what’s called a “firewall.” A firewall is just software that blocks all but essential traffic from reaching a computer and helps control who accesses it. When someone tries to connect to your company network, the firewall checks their IP address and then either allows them through or not based on its configuration settings.
Phishing scams – are another common type of cyber attack. Phishing scams are when someone tries to trick you into revealing your personal information, like login credentials or credit card numbers by emailing you and then using that information to steal from you online. The best defense against phish is awareness.
Malware on your PC/Laptop – this results from clicking malicious links, opening attachments you don’t know are safe etc. The malware could be ransomware that encrypts all the files on your hard drive or spyware which can steal personal data like financial details etc. It could also be keyloggers which record every keystroke as it happens so that sensitive information can be stolen later.
How To Stop A Cyber-Attack?
The best way is prevention. Make sure your systems are up and running, keep them updated with the latest security patches and software updates, make sure all apps you install on mobile devices have been screened for malware by a reputable company like Symantec or McAfee etc. Backing up data regularly can also help minimize the impact of any attack. If an attack does happen – quickly restore systems from backup files as soon as possible to avoid irreparable damage due data loss.
It could be tricky doing IT yourself without first taking some courses in cybersecurity but it’s not impossible if you know what to do when something happens so invest time here too!
What Happens When A Cyber-attack Hits Your Business?
What can happen when a business gets hit with this type of attack? A lot! The malware locks up all your files, and if you want them back it will cost money to have someone decrypt them for you. In some cases they ask for ransom in return for not publishing or deleting any data that’s been stolen from the victim’s computer system. But just paying off these hackers won’t solve your problems, as now there are people out there who know how vulnerable you were and could use the same methods again on other companies too. So what should be done instead? Well – make sure everything is backed up properly so that once an attack occurs you don’t lose anything important.
Do You Need a Professional Cybersecurity Team You Can Trust?
Cantrell’s Information Technologies has been providing cybersecurity to business owners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. We provide multiple layers of security for HIPAA, FINRA, and PCI compliance as well as training against IT threats when it comes to computer viruses. We also provide local classroom and small group training, web-based training and simulated phishing attacks to help end-users better understand and defend against cyber threats. Many of our customers initially work with us to help them improve the way they store, access, and protect their critical business data from cybercriminals. We also help them move or expand their offices. We support the needs of our East Bay customers including businesses located in Concord, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Pleasant Hill. Contact us today for your free consultation!
