Category: Data Breach
A data breach is a security violation, in which sensitive, protected or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen or used by an individual unauthorized to do so. Other terms are unintentional information disclosure, data leak, information leakage, and data spill. Incidents range from concerted attacks by individuals who hack for personal gain or malice (black hats), organized crime, political activists or national governments, to poorly configured system security or careless disposal of used computer equipment or data storage media. Leaked information can range from matters compromising national security, to information on actions which a government or official considers embarrassing and wants to conceal. A deliberate data breach by a person privy to the information, typically for political purposes, is more often described as a “leak”.
What Is Antivirus?
Antivirus is a specialized program that scans, detects and removes malicious software (also called malware) from your computers, laptops, tablets and mobile devices. Malicious software can harm your device, steal personal information or encrypt and delete data. Antivirus protects against malware by constantly monitoring your files and applications for any
Read MoreHow Does Antivirus Fit Into a Cybersecurity Strategy?
Antivirus is a baseline tool that MSPs use to protect clients against malicious files and malware, but understanding how it weaves into a larger cybersecurity strategy requires more than a passing familiarity with the basics. This article will help MSPs understand how antivirus protection works, what to look for in
Read MoreWhat is a Firewall?
Firewalls are networks that protect internal systems from cyber attacks by vetting all data packets (pieces of information for internet transfer) entering and exiting the guarded network. They prevent malicious connections by comparing incoming data with a set of pre-configured rules and, once a potential threat is detected, allowing or
Read MoreWhat is Cloud Security?
Cloud Security is a set of policies, controls, processes and technologies that work together to protect cloud-based systems, data and infrastructure. It includes strong authentication methods, multi-factor authentication and cloud encryption for protecting sensitive data in transit and at rest. It also includes security monitoring, vulnerability assessment and response capabilities
Read MoreWhat Is Cyber-Security?
Cyber-security is the practice of protecting internet-connected devices and services from phishing schemes, hacks, identity theft, and data breaches. It can include measures like firewalls, encryption, and two-factor authentication. It can also involve education, as well as the creation and maintenance of security policies. As technology advances and our society
Read MoreWhat is a Botnet?
A botnet is a group of Internet-connected devices that are infected with malware and controlled by a single attacker, known as the “bot herder.” The bots are used to carry out large-scale criminal actions such as spam emails, stealing user data, Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks (DDoS), crypto mining, and password cracking.
Read MoreHow AI Cybersecurity Works
With new and evolving cyber threats, companies need a cybersecurity solution that can keep pace. This is why AI cybersecurity is becoming a crucial component of many organizations’ overall security strategy. How AI Cybersecurity Works Security solutions based on artificial intelligence, or ML, use deep learning and machine reasoning techniques
Read MoreWhat Is Hacking?
Hacking is the practice of gaining unauthorized access to computers, networks or systems. It can be carried out for malicious reasons (to steal financial or login information, or to cause damage), or it may be performed as part of a larger cyber-attack by nation states and terrorist organizations. Hackers often
Read MoreWhat Is Cloud Security?
Cloud Security is the set of controls used to protect data and infrastructure in a cloud environment. It includes encryption for data at rest and in transit, limiting which roles or individuals from the provider have access, and strong authentication methods that support compliance requirements. Without proper security measures in
Read MoreWhat is a Data Breach?
A Data Breach is a cybersecurity mishap that occurs when confidential information goes into the wrong hands. These breaches happen for a variety of reasons, and they can have serious repercussions for individuals whose private information is exposed. It can also harm a company’s reputation and financial bottom line. Often,
Read MoreCyberthreat News
The threat of ransomware is a growing concern for businesses and individuals – but what can we do to combat it? We ask experts for advice. The energy systems that power entire economies are at risk from cyberattacks, a new report finds. We talk to security researchers about the latest
Read MoreWhat is Phishing?
Phishing is a malicious attempt to steal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers and other data that can be used for fraud, identity theft and other illicit activities. By masquerading as a reputable source with an enticing request, attackers bait their targets into taking action and then
Read MoreWhat is Cloud Security and Why is it Important to Your Business?
Cloud Security provides a wide range of tools for monitoring, alerting and blocking attacks on your cloud environment. These include network firewalls, access control systems, phishing prevention techniques and malware detection tools. Cloud data encryption encrypts data in motion (during transmission) and at rest (in storage) to protect it against
Read MoreWhat Is Antivirus?
Antivirus is the name given to software that aims to protect computers and other devices from malicious programs known as viruses. These are designed to do everything from corrupting your computer and stealing your data to giving criminals access to your personal or business systems. Viruses are just one piece
Read MoreWhat is Malware and How Does it Affect Your Computer?
Whether it’s ransomware that demands payment to unlock your data or spyware that quietly collects and transmits your information, malware is bad news. It’s a broad term that describes apps or code that damages electronic devices, stealing critical information or hijacking computer resources. Often, you may not even know that
Read MoreHow to Handle Malware and Ransomware Attacks
Malware is any kind of software threat that interferes with your computer, tablet or mobile device. It may steal data, encrypt your files, spy on your activity without your knowledge, and even cripple the systems that control your devices. Its motives are often financial: to steal your banking credentials, sell
Read MoreWhat is Cyber-Security?
Cyber-security refers to strategies, practices and technologies used to protect computers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks and data from attack, damage or theft. This includes protection against phishing scams, password hacking and other cyber attacks like ransomware. Cybersecurity also provides security measures for critical infrastructure including energy production and transmission,
Read MoreWhat is Cybercrime?
As new technologies emerge, criminals take advantage of them to commit crimes. Cybercrime is the label we put on any type of crime that occurs online, involving computer systems, devices and networks. While there are some unique aspects to cybercrime, it mostly represents an extension of traditional criminal activity alongside
Read MoreCyberthreat News Round-Up
Cyberthreat News is a monthly round-up of key cybersecurity stories. It highlights the scale and complexity of the threats faced by people and businesses in the UK. These attacks are costly and a drain on the economy, leaving them to pay for hardware, software, incident response and consulting. They cause
Read MoreWhat is Ransomware?
Ransomware is malware that encrypts files and data so you can’t access them. Once it’s in place, the attacker will display a message that demands a payment to regain access to your files or data. Often, the attacker will request payment via cryptocurrency. Ransomware attacks start with a vulnerability that
Read MoreThe Importance of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems connected to the internet from threats in cyberspace. This includes hardware and software as well as the data stored on them. It encompasses a number of preventative methods, including training employees to be aware of dangers such as opening suspicious email attachments and
Read MoreRansomware – The Number One Cybersecurity Threat to Businesses
Ransomware is malware that encrypts files or shuts down networks or servers and then demands payment to return control. Cybercriminals often ask for payments in cryptocurrency, which is almost impossible to trace. When ransomware first hit the scene, it targeted individuals, but when criminals realized its value in halting productivity
Read MoreWhat Is Antivirus?
Antivirus (AV) is a program that scans for and detects software or hardware viruses, which are malicious programs designed to steal or otherwise harm your devices, computer systems and data. Viruses and other malware are constantly being created and distributed by hackers, making antivirus tools essential for keeping your device
Read MoreWhat Is Cyber-Security?
Cyber-security is the set of activities, frameworks and processes that enable people to safely use information systems without risking data breaches, phishing scams, identity theft and other types of criminal activity. It involves implementing powerful information storage mechanisms and security protocols like two-factor authentication and more to prevent access to
Read MoreWhat is Phishing?
Phishing is a cyber attack in which a person or group poses as a legitimate institution (like a bank, university or email provider) to trick users into providing personal information like passwords, usernames and/or security codes. Once stolen, these credentials are then used to access sensitive accounts, potentially resulting in
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