It's no secret that the cyber security landscape continues to evolve. You may think you're safe from hackers and other cyber threats, but you might be surprised at how they can get into your company network.  

Your employees may need to be made aware of the potential risks too. That's why it is essential to educate them—and yourself—about the top 12 security threats on the rise right now so you can better protect your business from these attacks. 

Malware 

Malware is software specifically designed to disrupt computer operations, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. 

Malicious software (commonly called 'malware') can be accidentally downloaded onto your system when you visit an infected website or click on an email attachment from someone you don't know. The malicious code then runs in the background without you knowing it's there until something goes wrong with your device - it won't start up correctly, or there's an unexplained drop in performance speed. 

Data breaches 

Data breaches are one of the most severe threats to your company's network security. Data breaches can be caused by malware, phishing, or hacking. They can also happen when an employee accidentally leaves a laptop with sensitive data in their car or at home. 

Data breaches often result in financial and reputational losses for organizations that experience them--and they can affect both you and your customers if you don't have adequate security measures in place.  

You may need to notify customers whose personal information was exposed as part of a breach; this could lead them to stop doing business with you or spread negative word-of-mouth about how unsafe it is for people's information to be stored by your organization (which could hurt sales).  

Additionally, any fines levied against companies that fail to comply with industry regulations related specifically toward data protection will come out of their own pockets rather than being paid by insurers who offer cyber insurance policies like those offered through CyberEdge Insurance Services Incorporated (CEIS). 

Ransomware 

Ransomware is a type of malware that blocks access to a computer system and demands a ransom paid to the creator(s) of the malware to regain access to the system. It's one of the most common types of cyber attacks today, but there are ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. 

Supply chain attacks 

The supply chain is the most common way criminals get into a company. The supply chain encompasses all the people, organizations, and processes involved in getting goods from their manufacturer to the end user. It's more than just one entity; it's many entities working together to deliver a product or service to you. 

It's vulnerable because it's not just one entity but many. For example, You buy something online from Company A and have it shipped via FedEx--but there are multiple points along this route where someone could break into your package and put something dangerous inside of it before delivering it to your doorstep (or office). 

Thread hijacking 

Thread hijacking is an attack that exploits the fact that threads are shared resources. It can steal data, crash applications, and even take control of your system. 

To understand thread hijacking, you must first know what a thread is. A line is simply a path through which execution flows in an application or operating system (OS). Each process has its own set of threads; these are used by applications to share CPU time with other programs running on the same computer. If two methods have different sets of data or code (like two separate applications), they'll each have their threads.  

However, they might still share some resources such as memory space or ports available for communication over networks like Ethernet cables between computers connected via hardwired connections instead wireless ones like Bluetooth wireless adapters that send signals directly into devices such as laptops/notebooks or something similar. 

Vishing 

Vishing, also known as voice phishing, is a scam that uses the phone as the attack vector. It's similar to traditional phishing in that it aims to steal information from victims.  

However, instead of sending emails or other messages through traditional channels (like text messaging), vishing occurs when someone receives an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from their bank or credit card company asking for sensitive personal information over the phone. 

Vishing scams can be complex for businesses because they're often hard for employees who need to gain experience with them--and even if they do know how these scams work, there's still no guarantee that everyone will recognize it when one happens. 

Remote access vulnerabilities 

Remote access vulnerabilities can be exploited by cyber criminals to steal data, install malware and gain access to your network.  

SSI can help you secure your remote access with a comprehensive solution that includes: 

• A Remote Access Policy. 
• Monitoring for vulnerabilities in all areas of the environment (including physical, electronic, and logical). 

Mobile threats 

• Mobile malware 
• Mobile ransomware 
• Mobile spyware and adware 
• Mobile phishing 

Mobile threats are a growing concern for business owners. The popularity of mobile devices has led to an increase in the number of threats targeting them, which can have severe consequences for your company's network security. 

Botnets 

What is a botnet? 

A botnet is a collection of compromised computers that an attacker controls, often without the owners' knowledge. Botnets can steal data and perform other nefarious deeds on your network. 

How do they work? 

Botnets are typically formed when users download malware from phishing emails or websites compromised with malicious code. Once installed on a computer, this code can install additional programs or change how existing software works to make it easier for attackers to access your system remotely. They also use these compromised devices as proxies to hide their location from authorities who might try tracking them down through IP addresses. 

DDoS 

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) is a cyber attack that uses multiple devices to flood the bandwidth or resources of a targeted system. A DDoS attack can be carried out by a single person. Still, it's more commonly done by groups who use botnets--groups of computers infected with malicious software that allows an attacker to control them remotely. 

A DDoS attack is often used as a smokescreen for other attacks on systems or as an intimidation tactic against an organization or individual targeted for speaking out against certain groups' activities. 

Phishing 

Phishing is one of the most common types of cyberattacks, often used in social engineering. Phishing emails are designed to trick you into providing personal information or clicking on links that will give hackers access to your network.  

These emails often look like they are from well-known companies like banks and email providers, but they can also come from other sources, such as fake charities or political parties. 

Phishing attacks come in many forms: some ask for money directly; others appear to be urgent requests for personal information (such as account details); still, others try to trick people into downloading malware onto their computers by pretending that there's a problem with their computer's security software (and offering a link for more information). 

Cryptojacking 

Cryptojacking is a cybercrime in which a hacker installs software on your computer and uses it to mine cryptocurrency. This can happen without your knowledge, so it's essential to be aware of cryptojacking and how to protect yourself from it. 

Cryptojacking involves using someone else's computer for cryptocurrency mining without their permission. The most common form of this type of attack consists in installing malware onto your system that mines for digital coins when no one else is using the device--something that has become more common over time as more people use mobile devices with fewer resources available than PCs.

SSI is a highly respected cyber security services provider 

SSI is a highly respected cyber security services provider. We provide cyber security services to small, medium, and large companies nationwide. Our team of highly trained cyber security experts has been helping organizations protect their networks from ransomware, malware, and phishing attacks for decades. 

Call us today if you're looking for help safeguarding your company against these threats (and many others). 

Key takeaway 

We hope that you have found this helpful article. The threats to your company network can be daunting, but with proper knowledge and preparation, you can protect your business against all types of cyber attacks. If you would like more information about how we can help protect your business from cyber security threats, don't hesitate to get in touch with us today.