Technology is changing rapidly. There are more risks online than there has ever been. There are more malicious actors on the internet than ever before. With more ways to compromise your network, gain access to your devices, and steal your information, any business needs to make sure they are accounting for information technology (IT) risks, cyber threats, and preparation for breaches. It doesn’t matter whether you are in technology or not, if you use computers you need to focus on IT. Whatever your company is involved in, below are five basic IT risks to avoid.
Malware
Malware is a software created to exploit the vulnerabilities in your network through your browser. It attacks your devices, network, and servers with a variety of tools. For example, malware can install trojan viruses onto a device that can spread throughout the network. It can install malicious malware files. It can put a “worm” onto a device to find specific information. Finally, malware can be combined with ransomware to take full control of your devices and network.
Ransomware
Ransomware, on the other hand, is software that is created to take control of your computers and their network by downloading it through an attachment. With ransomware, a certain amount of money is demanded to release the devices, the information stored on them, and other data found through the network. If you don’t pay the ransom, malicious hackers could exploit the information and blackmail you. They could also keep the computers and everything on them forever.
Furthermore, even if you pay the ransom the attackers could utilize what they have found for other means of making money. They may never give the access back. With both malware and ransomware, protective software needs to be installed on every device on the network and employees need to be trained to never click or download anything they don’t know.
Data Theft
Another huge but common IT risk is data theft. Data is one of the most valuable aspects of any business these days. Whether you are in the business of technology or have just garnered data from selling people products, the information that is found on your company computers, network, and servers can be extremely valuable. It’s no wonder that hackers often try to gain access and steal this information.
However, the better organized and protected it is, the less risk you have. Off-site Cloud storage can make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to the information because it is not on the same server. Breach detection is quite important in this regard. Whether you are working with your data or are just storing it, protecting this information is pivotal.
Hacker Breaches
One of the most common and terrifying attacks is the silent one. Hackers don’t need to change anything, install ransomware, or give you a virus to get something out of it. There are benefits in just seeing how your systems work. They might not even steal any data. If you are innovating and creating something new, a lot of people just want to see how you are doing it. They might leave everything untouched, and you might not know there was a breach for days or even weeks. This is why it is crucial to have an effective and experienced IT team watching over the network, preventing, and preparing for breaches.
Phishing
Phishing is the practice of tricking a person into revealing sensitive information or downloading a malicious file. This typically occurs through email, but it can be done elsewhere too. Phishing attacks include a link or a doctored design tailored to fool the person into inputting their information. Often these attackers are trying to disguise themselves as a reputable business. Not only should you have anti-phishing protection on devices, you should also train employees to look out for these attacks.
It doesn’t matter what your business is, if you work on computers you might encounter these basic IT risks. It is vital to have the staff and software in place to protect you. These days, the sky’s the limit. You can even invest in AI and employ it to watch for breaches and come up with cyber security solutions. When it comes to cyber risks, you can never be too protected.
