Reasons to Beef Up CyberSecurity: A Look at Some of the Greatest Cyber Crimes of All Time
Cyber security is a form of protection created to safeguard any internet-connected devices and services from attacks. These malicious attacks are commonly done by cybercriminals, including spammers and hackers. The practice of cyber security has become essential for organizations and individuals to protect against ransomware attacks, phishing schemes and identity theft.
As cyber security advances, so do cybercriminals; that’s why it’s important to ensure the latest security tools are employed. These tools may include External Surface Management (EASM), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Identity Threat Detection and Response tools (ITDR).
Adding the Necessary Security
As you read this article, you may be wondering: What is identity threat detection and response? As our lives become more dependent on technology, so do cybercriminals. ITDR is a security measure tool designed to respond and detect any identity-related security threats. ITDR is a double layer as it can still act in securing information after a breach.
To show you how serious cybercrime is, this article will look at some of the biggest cyber crimes ever committed in the history of technology.
Jaw-Dropping Cyber Crimes
Here are some of the biggest cyber crimes that will have you in awe for days.
The 2014 Data Breach on Yahoo
Yahoo is one of the biggest companies in the Tech industry. Imagine waking up to being the biggest company that has gone through one of the greatest cyber attacks in history. This happened in 2014 and is known as the Yahoo data breach.
The criminals simply wanted to use the information for identity theft. 500 million accounts were attacked. The breach happened as the hackers gained access to the Yahoo system through what is known as a single click on a spear phishing email.
3 billion users found themselves unsure of what information had been accessed by the hackers. Sensitive information such as dates of birth, names, addresses and passwords found itself in the hackers hands. This attack had a major impact on how people viewed the company and the internet.
The 2017 Breach on Equifax
The Equifax data breach took place in 2017 attacking millions of people. This can be looked at as a clear example of the importance of having the correct security systems in place. Most people criticized the company for being reckless with their information.
The hackers are believed to have gained access through an unknown section that hadn’t been properly secured. Customer data wasn’t handled with care, resulting in one of the biggest tragedies.
The WannaCry Ransomware Attack in 2017
The WannaCry Ransomware attack happened in 2017. It targeted businesses and organizations worldwide by using ransomware to encrypt data on computers. The victims were demanded to pay to decrypt the data. More than 200,000 computers in 150 countries were affected, and the most dangerous part of this was that the criminals could exploit the vulnerability in Microsoft Windows.
The WannaCry Ransomware spread rapidly through a feature that allowed it to duplicate itself from one computer to another. This was a devastating moment for most Microsoft users. Fortunately, it was discovered by a security service researcher who stopped the spread of the malware. Although this didn’t stop the damage that had already been done, the spread could have been much worse.
Other Cyber Threats to Look Out For
Here’s a list of other common cyber threats:
Adware
Adware is a form of malware, also known as advertisement support software. The adware virus is also known as a potentially unwanted program that can be installed without your permission. It works by automatically generating unwanted online advertisements.
Trojans
This attack works by tricking users into thinking they are opening a harmless file. It’s likened to the legendary trojan horse of Mythology because once you open the file, it attacks your system, establishing a back door that gives cyber criminals access.
Cyberterrorism
As the name suggests, it’s politically related. This type of threat is a politically based attack on computers and information technology. The aim is to cause harm and spread social disruption.
Denial of Service (DoS)
DoS is a cyber attack that relies on flooding your network or computer with an overwhelming amount of what is known as ‘handshake’ processes. This overloads your system making it incapable of responding to your request.
Botnets
This type of attack uses several devices infected by malware working remotely to perform a cyber attack. The botnets are a string of connected computers.
SQL Injection
Here, malicious code is injected through a SQL-using server to attack a Structured Query Language.
MITM Attack
Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are ones where hackers work in a two-person online transaction to access what they need. Once they access the required files, they can filter and steal the data they want. This type of attack commonly happens on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
Safety is of Utmost Importance
Remember, the criminals don’t sleep so you shouldn’t either. Always do the necessary updates on your system, use strong passwords, and implement multi factor authentication (MFA) systems. Following these minimal practices can enhance your cyber security protecting your assets.
