The Perfect Mark: What Makes You a Prime Target for Cyber Threats
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Posted By: Hayden Beck on May 04, 2017 For professional thieves looking to rob a home, there are some attributes that qualify a target. Like any professional, a thief is looking to maximize profits while minimizing risks. In other words, they are looking for the right combination of vulnerable and valuable. Hackers are no different; they avoid certain targets if they don’t have what they want or their defenses are too robust. So if you’re wondering if you might be at risk, here are some key indicators that you might be on a hacker’s radar. What Makes You Valuable We’re talking primarily about hackers acting as thieves here, so for the moment, we’re going to overlook those who have different motives. To put it simply, if hackers are thieves, then information is the currency they are trying to steal. This falls largely into one of three categories: Personally Identifying Information (PII), actual currency, and other valuable information (like trade secrets). PII is anything that can be used to steal an identity, or otherwise gain access to financial information. Credit card numbers, bank account information, and social security numbers are obvious examples, but often all it takes is a username or email and a password. Most people use the same username and password for multiple websites (including email), making it very easy to take login information stolen from one website and use it to gain access to another (we’ll talk about this more below). This makes data breaches that leak even basic user data very dangerous. Actual currency is pretty simple. Sometimes hackers gain direct access to currency, whether that be realworld bank accounts, or virtual currencies like Bitcoin and game currencies. Like a virtual pickpocket, the hacker dips in, takes what they want, and absconds with the funds. Money isn’t always the end goal, though, as multitudes of valuable information exist that aren’t directly related to bank accounts. Patent information, intellectual properties, secret recipes, and sensitive emails all represent things that can be stolen (typically from businesses) that have value—both to their original owner, and those who might steal them. As for alternative motives, some hackers are looking to do things like vandalize your website, add your computer to a network of “zombies” (called a botnet), or merely to shut you down (Denial of Service). What Makes You Vulnerable Weak Passwords Despite what frustrating password requirements may have taught you, the two deciding factors in password strength are length and randomness. Passwords that are too short (less than 8 characters) or too simple (like simply repeating the letter “A” ten times) are guessed in seconds, not minutes. Keep in mind, it’s computers that crack passwords, not people, and they can guess a lot faster than we can. And as mentioned above, people often reuse passwords, making them even more vulnerable when password data is stolen. Lack of Encryption One of the biggest signs you’re ripe for a hack is a lack of encryption on sensitive data. Passwords and account info, transactions, email archives, business information—all these things can be stolen if they aren’t kept behind permissions walls. And if they’re stolen and not encrypted, there’s nothing stopping them from being used. Even user activity on the website is vulnerable, if the site isn’t hosted over HTTPS. Lack of Oversight Like a bank without a security guard, a website without security management is vulnerable. Cyber security professionals—whether in-house or outsourced through a third party—run security scans to check for holes, keep software updated, ensure data encryption, monitor access and check for intrusion, etc. Without proper oversight, you can be hacked and not even be aware. It’s much easier for thieves to make their getaway under those circumstances. Locking the Door Like a home robbery, cyber attacks are more likely—and more successful—if you “leave the door unlocked.” Proper security can prevent some attacks, minimize the damage of others, and, in some cases, turn hackers away empty handed. Here are some simple ways to boost cyber security: Strengthen Passwords Beefing up your passwords will go a long way towards increasing security. Insist your employees use unique passwords for their login, and don’t use anything shorter than 8 characters, though ten or more is preferable. The longer and more random the better. Strings of random words make for complex, yet easy to remember passwords. Password managers are also a good choice. Train Users No software can make up for an unwary user, so train your employees on the dangers of phishing, malware, and other forms of wetware hacking. Hire a Professional As we mentioned above, there’s no overestimating the value of having an expert caring for your system. Like a trusted mechanic or a family physician, having an individual or team dedicated to your business’s cyber security will keep you ahead of potential problems, and help you fix things when they go wrong. With cyber safety, there’s always a risk, but with the right team, you can face that risk with confidence. Author: Danielle Adams is a freelance writer who works for a variety of publications including Fibernet. When not learning about cybersecurity and recent data breaches, she enjoys exploring her local coffee shop. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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