You may have heard about the dark web before and wondered what it’s all about. Many people are curious about the dark web and what it entails. However, most are also cautious about it at the same time, being wary of the dangers that might be lurking underneath the surface of this mysterious side of the internet.

But, the dark web is nothing to be afraid of. t’s just as dangerous as the surface web can be at times. Exploring the dark web won’t necessarily put you at risk, but there are some important things you need to understand about it before you dive into it.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the dark web before you venture into the unknown. As long as you take the right precautions, the dark web is nothing to be worried about, and it’s completely fine to explore it. Keep reading for your crash course on the dark side of the internet.

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is somewhat hidden from the public eye. It’s somewhat hidden because you need a special browser to access the dark web, but anyone can download the browser to gain access to this hidden section of the internet.

The browser in question is the Tor browser (the Onion Project), and it has an interesting backstory to it. This special program was developed in the late 1990s by the United States Naval Research Laboratory. The browser would allow their spies to communicate with one another securely and privately without their messages being intercepted by unauthorized individuals.

After some years the program was repurposed to become the anonymous browser that it is today. Nowadays the tor browser can be used to access a collection of “hidden” websites known as the dark web while browsing anonymously. The browser can be downloaded and used by anyone without any fees attached — much like Google Chrome or Firefox.

The Tor browser accesses the dark web through a random path of encrypted servers referred to as “nodes”. Much like a VPN, this allows Tor users to browse the dark web without their actions being traced. Added privacy and security come from the websites on the dark web too. Websites use anonymous software known as I2P (Invisible Internet Project) which allows their owners and hosting servers to remain hidden and untraceable.

There are three main benefits to using the dark web as opposed to the ‘surface’ web;

• Anonymity
• Untraceable websites and services
• Opportunity illegal actions for both users and providers

Is the Dark Web Truly Dangerous?

There’s a misconception that the dark web is a dangerous place — like a black market on the internet. The dark web has been painted as a hive of cybercriminals who take advantage of being secure and anonymous online. While this is partially true, there are some perfectly safe areas of the dark web. In fact, many people use the dark web without malicious intent!

The dark web simply attracts people who need to remain anonymous on the internet. While this does include various types of criminals, many other people will also use the dark web to their advantage.

It’s not illegal to use the Tor browser or browse the dark web. Anyone who needs to work with sensitive information online can use the dark web to ensure that their information is safe and secure. This can include government agencies, legal parties, censored journalists, and even persecution victims.

That being said, the dark web can be a dangerous place — it all depends on the content that the user is engaging with. The websites that the user accesses and their actions on the dark web can lead to the coming across the more dangerous elements. In this way, the “dangers” of the dark web are very similar to that of the surface web.

While you’re browsing the dark web, there is always the risk of running into something dangerous. Below are some of the main threats that you could encounter while surfing the dark web on your Tor browser:

• Malicious software – just like the surface web, you can run into various types of malware while you’re browsing the dark web. From viruses to spyware and ransomware, you need to be prepared to deal with the malware that your device could pick up.
• Government monitoring – while the Tor browser is anonymous and your activity can’t be tracked there is one important factor to keep in mind. Authorities and government agencies have taken over some websites. They use these websites to monitor which devices access the website. You could paint a target on your back simply by visiting one of these dark websites. This is mostly relevant to websites that contain illegal elements.
• Scams – scams are a dangerous part of the dark web that you need to be aware of, much like you would find on the surface web. However, the danger that you face on the dark web is that it’s impossible to track down a scammer, making these scams even more devastating.

How to Stay Safe on the Dark Web

So, now we know that the dark web can be dangerous, but just like the surface web, it’s not always dangerous. There isn’t much-added risk to browsing the dark web compared to the surface web — it all depends on the content and the websites that you engage with. However, it’s never a bad idea to consider some safety precautions. IF you’re going to be browsing the dark web, make sure to invest in premium cybersecurity tools that will ensure your privacy and safety are maximized.

The main tool you need to invest in is premium antivirus software. Antivirus software will constantly scan your device for any viruses or malware. If any malicious software has been detected, the antivirus software can take action to remove it from your device before it causes any further damage.

You may also consider investing in a premium VPN to ensure that your location and internet traffic cannot be traced. While browsing the dark web, it’s always a good idea to have an extra layer of safety, even if the Tor browser offers anonymous browsing as it is.

Let’s take a closer look at the biggest cloud storage security risks so that your organization doesn’t run the risk of facing them. Ultimately, it’s your job to make the right decisions that help your organization provide resilient services. 

Cloud storage has become one of the rapidly growing segments in terms of IT spending. But, cloud security breaches constantly make news headlines for mismanagement by an unnamed third party or a misconfigured database.

The Gartner report states, “Through 2025, 90% of the organizations will fail to control public cloud use and share sensitive information.” Furthermore, cloud storage security risks will cost dearly, overspend by up to 50%.

In this blog post, we’ve curated a list of some of the common yet major cloud storage security risks that come with using cloud solutions. It also helps you deal with them if they ever happen to you. So, let’s dive right in. 

Top Cloud Storage Security Risks That You Need to Know About

1. Unauthorized Access to Data

Unauthorized third-party access to files is a well-known threat that many organizations fail to address. It is crucial to ensure that the data is accessed only by authorized individuals and for legitimate reasons only. Unauthorized access includes accessing enterprise data, networks, devices, or apps, without having proper permissions. The good thing is that poor access control can be tackled through security solutions in combination with access management policies. 

Check out some of the essential tips to prevent poor access management:

• Use third-party security tools to get lists of users, groups, and roles from cloud service environments. After that, the security team will be able to sort and analyze it; learn more about available tools.
• Keep logging and monitoring mechanisms in place to detect unauthorized changes and unusual activity. 
• Last but not least, develop a data governance framework for all user accounts. The user accounts should be connected to the central directory services such as Active Directory, which can monitor and revoke access privileges. 

2. Data Privacy

Besides asset tracking, the data is essential for your organization; no one should be able to access it unless you allow them to. With cloud storage getting popular, storage security is also becoming a widely discussed topic. Some of the common cloud data privacy breaches stem from:

• File-based malware
• Insecure APIs
• Misconfiguration
• Weak IAM(Identity and Access Management) policies

What’s more? Cloud data breaches also include some biggest threats such as  destruction or corruption of databases, leaking of confidential information, the theft of intellectual property and regulatory requirements. According to Forbes, data breaches exposed 4.1 billion records in the first six months of 2019. Businesses of all sizes must get their security stronger. 

Being a business owner, how can you be sure that nobody can access sensitive data or information when you do not maintain the servers? So, whenever you migrate sensitive data to the cloud, there are chances that you might be losing essential privacy controls. To address this, it’s best to seek assistance from cloud migration service providers and familiarize yourself with the best practices for using cloud storage solutions. Which are as follows:

• Investing in employees’ education and training
• Acknowledging the responsibilities you share with the providers you choose.
• Developing strategies, policies, and internal effective best practices.
• Adding native data protection with extra security measures. 
• Figuring out which data should be stored in the cloud.

File sharing enables you to maintain control over the most important company data while guaranteeing compliance and the highest level of security. Share private information without endangering it.

3. Lack of Backup Services

When it comes to storage systems, one of the major complaints received is that there’s no automatic backup functionality. Rather, you need to make plans to backup the data you store on the cloud yourself. Some providers avail the automatic backup functionality and help keep your data safer. But, there are also those who don’t. Make sure you choose a provider which allows automatic data backup.

 In case of an unexpected event, enterprise data backup tools will provide your organization with data protection and quick recovery by storing your data on a remote server.  

4. Rogue Devices

Another cloud storage security risk is providing the ability to employees to work on a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) basis. This trend has been in popularity since more employees prefer to use their own device at work. Owning the fact that they are more used to their interfaces or have higher specs than company-provided devices. 

Undeniably, the BYOD culture has a win-win solution for both employees and employers since it helps in saving expenses for buying IT equipment for employees and it also gives more flexibility to employees. But, you can’t imagine how BYOD culture brings major security risks if it is not managed properly. Lost or misused devices mean that your organization’s sensitive data & information are in the hands of a third party who could breach the company’s network and steal valuable information. Therefore, the best way to protect data and security against this threat is to ensure that the data is encrypted and transmitted over a secure connection and to prevent outsiders from accessing the cloud’s metadata.

5. Poor Incident Response

When it comes to giving responses to internal cybersecurity incidents, organizations must have their strategies in place. Organizations also must own all their internal network infrastructure, and security personnel are on-site; therefore, it is possible to lock down the incident. The main goal is to effectively manage the incident so that the damage is limited, plus some factors like recovery time, costs, and collateral damage (brand reputation) are kept at a minimum. 

Above all, if the company wants to prevent data breaches, a practice should be followed to have a comprehensive incident plan that embraces cloud security. 

Conclusion

The cloud environment has been rapidly changing since its emergence. It also makes it difficult to detect and respond to threats quickly. Cloud assessment helps in identifying and mitigating security risks in cloud computing. It helps identify several major security threats such as data breaches, lack of cloud security architecture and strategy, misconfiguration & inadequate change control, account hijacking, and insecure interface & APIs.

Moreover, implementing a cloud strategy can give your team a clear and shared idea of your business objectives and best practices when working with information online. On the other hand, the above-mentioned cloud storage risks can emerge as issues like misalignment, scalability challenges, productivity slowdowns, and security gaps. These security risks could put your whole organization at risk. 

You need to develop an effective strategy that includes standard guidelines and practices for your business. It should be a document that changes with your business needs and your cloud services. 

The last couple of years were a wild roller coaster ride for all the participants in the NFT space. Ever since the rapid expansion of NFTs many people started considering them as an investment drawing the price even higher.

Some images even reached multiple millions of dollars, which is unbelievable.

However, this year the NFT market seems like it is cooling off and going back to its normal progression as a revolutionary technology that can be used for many things.

As with anything in this world whether we are talking about stocks, crypto, NFTs, houses, or cars, as the demand rises, the price of individual assets climbs higher. However, this has the same effect when the demand starts to decrease, in which case the price drops.

This year many things suggest that we are in a bear market considering NFTs. With lower trading volume, the NFT marketplace seems like it is cooling off from the rapid expansion not too long ago. Nonetheless, there are numerous games appearing connected to NFTs, like this one: https://wizardia.io/

So, even though the situation has stabilized and we’ve seen lower demand for NFTs, have they still considered a hot market? Let’s find out.

Are NFTs Still Popular?

To find out whether NFTs are still considered one of the best investments we have to look at data. There is no doubt that the NFT marketplace had a rough start this year.

If we look at the trading volume at the beginning of the year, we can spot a huge drop. In February alone, the NFT trading volume dropped from almost $4 billion in a week, to around $965 million until March.

This marked the lowest weekly trading level of NFTs since August 2021.

With such a significant drop, everyone started to think that the NFT craze is over and possibly look for an exit strategy. However, the NFT marketplace was not done yet. In fact, it showed some signs of recovery in mid-April this year.

To be honest, the entire NFTs transaction activity climbed back to the top with $37 billion in cryptocurrency send to NFT marketplaces as of May 2022. This is very close to that last year’s total of $40 billion sent in 2021 for the same period. With Polygon NFT Marketplace you can create your own custom marketplace for trading NFTs.

Considering that 2021 was the biggest time for NFTs and many new projects and investors were introduced to the market, this year’s numbers are actually very good.

This suggests that the NFT industry is still very hot and the trend will continue until the end of the year. The most surprising thing about NFTs is the market volume trading activity, especially in times like these where crypto and stocks are reaching all-time-lows in the eyes of recession.

Another thing to point out which showcases people’s interest in the NFT marketplace is the number of unique cryptocurrency wallets, which represent users that are making transactions (either buying or selling an NFT).

If we look at the first quarter of 2022, we can see that there are around 950,000 unique cryptocurrency wallet addresses, which is up from the 627,000 we had in the fourth quarter of 2021.

With that said it is also important to mention that not all unique wallet addresses suggest more people. There is a lot of wash trading this year (when the same person is on both sides of a transaction) which is an activity where people create artificially high value for an asset.

However, there is definitely a good number of new users participating in the NFT space, which suggests that it is still a hot market.

Popular Projects this Year

In order to see how the market has reached these incredible numbers, which are almost identical to last year, we have to look at some of the individual projects that acquired the most volume.

This big spike in activity was largely due to popular NFT projects like Moonbirds, which is a collection of 10,000 pixelated owls that pulled in over $500 million in sales volume, as well as Otherdeeds, the Bored Ape Yacht Club metaverse land NFTs, that reached more than $700 million in trading volume.

Internet privacy has always been important but has now become even more relevant since cyber threats have increased tenfold. Cybercriminals are getting increasingly sophisticated, and many of us who aren’t so tech-savvy are unaware of the wide range of online threats we come across every day. 

It is not a good idea to go online without ensuring that you have security measures to prevent data loss or computer viruses. These days, people of all ages are becoming increasingly concerned about online privacy. 

It seems like there is an endless list of digital disturbances- from individual or corporate data breaches, marketers following your every move online, and shady people looking at your pictures on social networks.

Despite this, there is still some hope – you can control your data. Here are some tips on how to ensure that you are protected while browsing online.

Create a Strong Password

Why: It’s not uncommon for most people to have the same password for all of the online website accounts and electronic devices they access. Secure passwords protect your online presence from unauthorized access. But, if your passwords are not complex or lengthy, it’s very likely that hackers will soon infiltrate your accounts and devices, steal personal information or infect your device with malware. 

How: Whenever you access a website or device, make sure that you use a unique password. Make sure that your password contains at least 12 characters, including numbers and special characters. Ensure that you don’t use any personal information like birthdays, family members’ names, or anniversary dates. Change them regularly, and don’t use obvious words or numbers.

Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) 

Why: A VPN allows you to create a secure connection from your smartphone, tablet, or PC to a server over the internet. We use them to access region-restricted websites safely, shield browsing activity from prying eyes on public Wi-Fi, protect devices while torrenting, and much more. If you want to surf the internet securely and anonymously, you’ll need a reliable VPN to preserve your online safety. 

How: Look for a VPN company that you can trust. When searching for a company that makes a conscientious effort to protect their customer’s privacy, it’s necessary to research the benefits of VPN services compared to others. A reliable company will put your security above all else, hide your IP, encrypt your data, and ultimately frustrate troublesome hackers.

Invest in Security Software

Why: Although this one should be obvious, most people often overlook it. Having good anti-virus software can be the difference between an enjoyable time on the web and having to go out and buy a new PC. Malware can be found on suspicious sites, but it can also be found on more popular sites like social media platforms. Spyware may also pose a threat. It can steal your personal data and information without you even realizing it. 

How: You can prevent this by installing an anti-spyware program, although most of the more popular anti-virus platforms also come with this feature. Another method you should enable to shield your local network from untrusted external networks (such as the internet) is to install a firewall. Your computer should already have this feature, so all you have to do is enable it. 

Don’t Avoid Two-Factor Authentication

Why: This option can seem like a nuisance when all you want to do is access your bank or Google account. But setting up an additional layer of security will highly diminish the likelihood of cyber criminals accessing your important information. In the event that someone on the other side of the world uses your data to impersonate you, how will you know unless you have two-factor authentication in place?

How: Lock hackers out of your account by taking advantage of any online websites or platforms that offer you the chance of extra data protection. You’ll get an instant notification if your passwords have been compromised. And while it may seem like a bit of a hindrance to confirm that you logged into your account from a different computer, for example, the security placement offers extra peace of mind while online. 

It can seem rather daunting trying to stay safe online, but it really isn’t. When you’re still learning how to protect yourself against online predators or scams, treat online interactions the same way you would treat them in person if they were someone you don’t know. You would not share any personal information with them, nor would you offer them your credit card. By following the same rules online, you can stay safe.

Internet privacy while browsing is an accessible and legitimate method of cyber protection, and there’s no reason why you can’t take advantage of it. You should make sure that you incorporate these internet privacy tips into your everyday lives so that you will be able to retain your privacy online as well as browse with peace of mind. 

Technological advancements have eased our lives greatly today. Everything now seems to be accessible online whether it’s groceries, food, clothes, electronics, medicines, etc. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of most technological developments. Although all the tech-related advancements we see today are meant to enhance our digital experience, they are also giving cybercriminals a chance to exploit us even badly. One such emerging threat using AI is deepfakes. So, let’s explore in-depth what are deepfakes and their impact on your business.

What Are Deepfakes?

The word “deepfake” is made from two words, i.e., “Deep Learning” and “Fake”. Deepfakes are synthetic content made via AI to impose someone’s likeness onto an existing video, image, or text. In simple words, deepfakes swap faces and make the victim seems like speaking something he/she has never spoken. In short, it is a technology meant to make people believe the false.

Deep learning is a subset of AI that implies arranging algorithms to learn and then make intelligent decisions on their own. Simple deepfakes swap faces by using neural networks. There is one AI algorithm, encoder, that looks for similarities among the two faces, while the second AI algorithm, decoder, reconstructs the images by swapping the likenesses. For deepfakes to work rightly, there should be enough content around the victim so that the AI algorithm can create realistic video, image, or text.

Examples of Deepfakes

The most popular type of deepfakes is video manipulation that also matches the audio tone and style of the victim. Following are two examples of deepfakes that can give you an idea of how realistic deepfakes look:

1. Deepfake of Former US President Barack Obama

Source: YouTube

1. Deepfake of Tom Cruise

Source: YouTube

Deepfakes – An Emerging Threat for Businesses

When deepfakes become popular, they were considered a unique technological achievement that can bring more fun. Today, anyone with a smartphone can create such videos using apps like Reface, Avatarify, etc. Since it has become a lot easier to make realistic deepfakes, businesses are concerned with the criminal use of this technology.

Back in 2019, the CEO of an energy company based in the UK was fooled to wire $243,000 to a bank account by making him think that the voice is of his boss. There are many other cases that show the impact and potential of deepfakes in causing damage to businesses.

Following are some of the common ways deepfakes can cause damage to businesses:

1. CEO Fraud

The very first approach that attackers can use with deepfakes is to manipulate employees with CEO fraud. For example, employees might receive a voice call that matches the tone and style of the CEO’s voice and ask them to urgently send money to the provided bank account. Similarly, employees might receive a video call that shows the face of the CEO and again demand money or access to the company’s administrative control. Employees that are not aware of deepfakes will easily become a victim of such attacks. Moreover, attackers can publish a deepfake video of the CEO that says something bad about the company, resulting in severe reputational damage.

2. Forged Texts

Forged texts or readfakes are also becoming popular tactics to trick employees. What attackers do is use the wording and style of the CEO or other higher management to make employees believe that the message is legitimate. The texts usually lead employees to open malicious links/attachments, send sensitive data, send payments, or disclose passwords.

3. Manipulation of Stock Market

Deepfakes can manipulate the stock market very easily. For example, a deepfake video or audio of Elon Musk can impact the Tesla share price. Similarly, a deepfake of U.S. President Joe Biden on banning specific pharmaceuticals can quickly impact the share prices of relevant companies. However, the manipulation of the stock market by deepfakes mostly targets companies listed in the stock market, so small businesses are less vulnerable to this damage.

The above deepfake approaches can not just cause financial damage, but they can cast severe reputational damage. In fact, studies have reported that the reputational damage is mostly caused within 24 hours of the incident. Reputational damage can result in the loss of customers, key stakeholders, employee commitment, etc.

If you are running a small-scale business with a small team, then the chances of becoming a victim of deepfakes are less compared to medium or large-scale businesses. It is because cybercriminals tend to target businesses with a large or diverse team to increase the chances of a successful attack. Moreover, in a small-scale business, the team and CEO are already in close touch with each other, so becoming a victim of deepfakes is a rare case.

Best Security Practices to Avoid Damages from Deepfakes

One thing you might have noticed is that deepfakes mostly target the lower management of the company and uses the face, voice, or text of higher management. So, if the employees are well-educated about deepfakes, they won’t easily become the victim of such attacks. Below are some of the best security practices that can help you to protect your business from deepfake damages:

• Multi-level Authentication Procedures: You can set up multi-level authentication procedures while sending or releasing sensitive data.
• Train Employees: Employees must be educated and trained about the potential risks of deepfakes and how such attacks can manipulate them.
• Fast Response: You should set up a proper plan on how to quickly react if your business becomes a victim of deepfake. You should quickly prove that the content is deepfake to avoid any financial or reputational damage.
• Deepfake Detection Tool: Use deepfake detection tools just like the one offered by Microsoft to quickly check any suspected deepfake content.

In short, deepfake seems difficult to detect at the first glimpse, but if you and your employees are well-trained and have access to the right tools and procedures, then you can avoid any damage from deepfakes.

Final Words

Technological advancements do come with a con of empowering cybercriminals to use new tactics to trick businesses. Deepfake is one such concerning threat businesses have to deal with today. But if you have set the right security policies around it, then you can greatly reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

Many people still don’t understand the dangers of an unsecured PC. It’s like leaving your home without locking the door, enabling anyone to enter and take whatever catches their eye.

The risks are the same if you’re careless with your computer. Failing to secure it gives potential hackers an easy way into the system, making stealing and misusing your data a walk in the park.

These are the top PC security mistakes users make and the tips for avoiding the pitfalls.

1.   Using Weak Passwords

Passwords are the weakest link in cybersecurity. You can’t use your name, birth date, or other personally identifiable information and expect your accounts and data to be safe and secure. Potential hackers can quickly crack those combinations in password attacks.

Secure passwords are combinations of at least 12 varied characters, including upper-case letters, lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.

The best practice is to use complex phrases that hackers can’t guess. You can complicate them further by using truncated words or dropping vowels (e.g., “scrty” instead of “security”).

2.   Reusing Passwords Without Two-Factor Authentication

Reusing passwords can be detrimental to your PC security. Using the same password for multiple accounts puts all of them at risk because a potential cybercriminal only needs to crack a single password.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if you don’t want to remember multiple passwords, but we still recommend different credentials for every account.

Another excellent solution is a password manager. It can generate random, complex passwords for all your accounts, storing them in a secure vault.

You only need to remember the master password or PIN or use your fingerprint to enable the manager to log you into connected accounts.

3.   Avoiding or Disabling Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is an extra security layer every PC needs. It can prevent you from accessing malicious websites or downloading compromised files or apps, stopping malware programs in their tracks. Of course, antivirus might not be as helpful on certain occasions. For instance, such security programs can remove ransomware infections. However, users’ files will remain encrypted.

Many people don’t use it because they think it slows down their computers. That may have been the case decades ago, but the latest solutions require fewer resources when running scans, resulting in less CPU usage.

Other PC users temporarily disable their antivirus software to bypass its block regarding downloading specific apps or files. Hackers love those windows of opportunity to crawl into an unsecured system.

So, install reliable antivirus software, keep it up to date, and don’t disable it for a second.

4.   Ignoring Software Updates

Ignoring software updates is like disregarding a smoke detector’s alarm; you know there’s smoke, but the lack of fire means you’re probably safe.

The latest software updates feature bug fixes to improve performance and user experience and security patches to eliminate vulnerabilities and protect data.

Although there’s no actual fire, postponing or ignoring those updates leaves security holes that potential cybercriminals crawl into, and you might not hear any alarm until it’s too late.

5.   Disabling User Account Control on Windows

User Account Control (UAC) on Windows PCs is a fundamental security feature that prevents unauthorized changes to your computer.

Disabling it gives administrative access to all running apps, making it seamless for potential hackers to control your device. Keep it on, no matter how annoying the notifications may be.

6.   Clicking Suspicious links

Phishing emails are some of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats. They contain malicious links that initiate browser-based script attacks or install malware without the target realizing it.

Never click on an email attachment without checking the email address to verify it’s legitimate. Don’t click through if you don’t know the sender and beware of pop-ups recommending unsolicited antivirus software or other solutions; they typically contain malware.

7.   Plugging in an Unknown Flash Drive

Plugging an unknown flash drive into your computer could wreak havoc on your system. That portable device could contain a virus that spreads to your files and infects the entire network.

The same goes for inserting your flash drive into someone else’s PC.

They may not follow the latest security practices, so their compromised PC could infect your flash drive and computer.

8.   Using Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks may be convenient, but they’re far from secure. They’re typically unencrypted, leaving a backdoor open for cybercriminals to enter and access all connected devices.

An excellent solution is a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This tool creates an impenetrable bubble around your internet connection, transmitting data through an encrypted tunnel. A VPN for PC also replaces your IP address with one of its servers, making it impossible for hackers to target you.

Conclusion

Many PC users take cybersecurity protection lightly, making mistakes that often lead to dramatic consequences, including identity theft and fraud.

Don’t give cybercriminals the upper hand. Avoid the pitfalls above and dig deeper into the matter to learn how to keep your data privacy and security intact.

Every day, there’s another news report about some major corporation being hacked and millions of people’s personal information compromised. While it’s necessary to be aware of these threats, it’s also important to remember that hackers aren’t just targeting big businesses but also individuals. Smartphones are becoming increasingly popular targets for hackers since they contain so much personal information.

If you’re worried about your smartphone being hacked, you can do a few things to protect yourself.

Keep Your Operating System and Apps up to Date

Make sure that your operating system and all apps are up to date. Hackers are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in older software versions. Guard.io digital security advises keeping everything on your phone up to date will make it much harder for them to get into your device.

Use a Secure Lock Screen

Many people use simple, easy-to-guess passwords for their lock screens, like “1234” or “1111.” But if a hacker gets past your lock screen, they could have access to all of your personal information. To make it harder for them to get in, use a longer password, including numbers, letters, and special characters. If your device offers fingerprint or facial recognition, use that instead.

Don’t Root or Jailbreak Your Phone

Rooting or jailbreaking your phone can give you access to many cool features, making it easier for hackers to get into your device. If you don’t need to root or jailbreak your phone, it’s best to avoid doing so. There’s a reason major phone corporations warn you not to.

Be Careful What You Click on or Download

One of the most common ways hackers get into people’s phones is by getting them to click on a malicious link or download a malicious app. If you’re not sure if something is safe, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid it.

Use a VPN

Virtual Private Network can help keep your data safe when using public Wi-Fi by encrypting it. This makes it much harder for hackers to intercept your data and use it for malicious purposes.

Don’t Store Sensitive Information on Your Device

If you don’t need to store sensitive information on your device, it’s best not to. This includes things like banking information, passwords, and personal photos. If you must store this kind of information on your phone, ensure that it’s well-protected with a password or PIN.

Avoid Public WI-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is one of the most common places for hackers to target people since it’s often unsecured. If you can, avoid using public Wi-Fi and use your data plan instead.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that can be used on many online accounts. It typically involves using a code that’s sent to your phone in addition to your password. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your account, even if they have your password.

Keep an Eye on Your Apps

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your apps’ permissions. If an app asks for permission to do something that doesn’t make sense, like access your camera or contacts, it could signify that it’s malicious.

Know What’s Happening on Your Device

Keep an eye on your device’s battery life, data usage, and storage. If you see anything that doesn’t seem right, it could signify that your phone has been hacked.

Back Up Your Data Regularly

If your phone is hacked, you could lose all your data. To protect yourself, make sure to back up your data regularly. This way, if your phone is ever hacked, you’ll be able to restore it from a backup.

Get a Security App

There are many different security apps available that can help to protect your phone from hackers. These apps can offer features like virus scanning, remote wiping, and more.

Use a Mobile Security Solution

Mobile security solutions like Lookout can help to keep your phone safe from hackers by offering features like malware scanning, lost device protection, and more.

Hackers are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in older software versions. Keeping everything up to date will make it much harder for them to get into your device.

In today’s world, there are not many fields in higher demand than cybersecurity. Job roles are available to people with a career in cybersecurity in many industries, ranging from banking industries and other businesses to government agencies. Since everything is digitized nowadays, organizations are ready to pay a lot to protect their information. 

If your interest is to limit cybercrime and keep organizations from hackers while you enjoy a lucrative career, then cybersecurity is your answer. Maybe due to your current job and other obligations you must meet, you don’t have enough time or funds to obtain a University degree in cybersecurity.

Worry no more. An associate cybersecurity degree can ease your way into this remarkable career. This article is written to uncover the significant advantages of cybersecurity associate degrees. 

What Is An Associate Degree?

You most certainly are familiar with BSc, MSc, and Ph.D. degrees. Perhaps you don’t know so much about associate degrees, especially if you are new to countries like Canada and USA.

Associate degrees can be obtained in University institutes, community colleges, affiliated colleges, and junior colleges. Like university degrees, associate degrees boost employment prospects compared to an ordinary secondary education level. 

Below are the benefits you can derive from cybersecurity associate degrees.

It Can Serve As A Foundation In Cybersecurity 

If you are a computer enthusiast and are considering a career in the IT sector, an associate degree in cybersecurity can be an excellent way to start. 

If you lack proficiency in cybersecurity, programming, and network frameworks, an easy way to get started is to take online banking courses to get familiar with the field and with the technology involved.

Then you can move up with a cybersecurity associate degree will ensure you are acquainted with basic cybersecurity procedures. 

During your two-year study for an associate degree in cybersecurity at one of the institutions above, you will be exposed to the foundational skills for more advanced degrees in the future. These programs often introduce students to essential concepts such as software development, network security, and cloud computing. Understanding a cyber security framework is also integral, providing a structured approach to managing and mitigating cyber risks.

You will have technical skills such as software development, network security and cloud, IT administration, and cybersecurity. Personal skills you are likely to get are communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, organization, and project management. 

Used as a roadmap for software engineering, cybersecurity associate degrees can also provide you with an excellent opportunity to continue undergraduate studies and advance your career. Plus, the knowledge gained from an associate degree can also be applied to other IT careers such as network administration and software development.

It Is A Perfect Option For Working Class Citizens

One of the beautiful things about junior colleges and community colleges is how they run their programs. They create a method that puts the busy schedules of their students (often referred to as non-traditional students) into consideration.

Unlike the typical students, students of community colleges are usually experienced either in their field of study or an entirely different one. They often have more responsibilities to shoulder than students looking to get a Bachelor’s degree.

Such responsibilities may include a full-time job, running a family, taking care of a relative, etc. A cybersecurity associate degree is your best bet to maintain a balance between your life obligations and a degree in the IT sector. 

The cybersecurity associate degree program offers you scheduling flexibility to facilitate your other responsibilities. Evening and online classes are available to allow you to run your other businesses during office hours. 

Furthermore, a cybersecurity associate degree enables you to meet an appropriate network of connections as employers troop in to recruit experienced personnel. You may as well meet the right person that your career needs to propel among your colleagues.

Cybersecurity Associate Degrees Are Cost-Effective 

Several profit-oriented organizations charge thousands of dollars to learn a particular training course in cybersecurity and even mandate it for students to complete payment before starting such training. 

There are some costly but worthy training programs that you can’t avoid as you advance in your cybersecurity career. However, due to the tax benefits and financial structure of the community colleges, they provide incredible value for the money their students pay. 

In addition, there is the availability of loans, scholarships, and grants that makes the payment for your cybersecurity associate degree program easy, which may not be enjoyed elsewhere. 

It is excellent information for anyone interested in cybersecurity who can’t afford to make a critical financial commitment. Considering this, you can visit a junior college and enroll in a cybersecurity associate degree program to give your career a good start it needs.

Cybersecurity Associate Degrees Makes Some Jobs Available For You

Obtaining academic credentials is a terrific way to get your first job. A cybersecurity associate degree can help you kick start your career in the IT sector. Assuming you are already in the industry, these degrees can help to earn a raise, be promoted, or help you in getting to your desired height in your field.

Though many jobs in cybersecurity may require a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree can also land you an entry-level position. 

Assuming your organization has no strong structure for dealing with security issues, your cybersecurity associate degree will probably give you the information and skills required to set up procedures that will guarantee the security of the organization’s digital assets.

Some examples of the job positions you can fit in with a cybersecurity associate degree are listed below.

• Data Analyst

• Data Scientist

• Information Security Engineer

• Network Administrator

• Security Specialists

Time Is Maximized

It is typical to complete an associate degree program within two years on a full-time basis. This period is long enough to learn what you need to become an entry-level cybersecurity specialist. 

Although you may not learn everything you need to know about cybersecurity within these two years, community degrees are structured to provide you with job placement. If a two-year program can give you that, I think it is worth the time and resources utilized. 

Get Equipped To Start Your Cybersecurity Career

As you have decided to start your cybersecurity career journey, it will be worthwhile to look into community college programs around you to get enrolled into one.

Junior college cybersecurity programs are often structures that aren’t easy to beat. The reasons behind that are not far-fetched as they possess the potential to minimize expenses while giving operational experience and a degree with adaptability choices later.

Regardless of the structure, your learning takes, it would help if you kept up to date with new advances in cybersecurity. Innovations and malware dangers continually spring up, so you should remain associated with the general security conversation. Do this and become an indispensable asset to every employer.

Are you worried about your organization’s exposure to digital risks? What about your personal exposure?

If you’re not, you should be, even if you feel you have a good handle on the basic principles of cyber security. That’s because digital threats abound. They’re all around us, whether we like it or not.
Take the ransomware attack that temporarily disrupted fuel supplies to the eastern United States. Or the third-party intrusions that resulted in massive data breaches at Target and Home Depot. Or the unauthorized data release that spewed millions of personal and corporate records held by international fiduciaries like Asiaciti Trust and a number of global law firms as well.

You’re not immune to these risks. But you can take measures to protect yourself before you become a victim. Let’s take a look at six things your firm and its security vendors can do right now to shore up your cyber security.

1. Restrict Who Can Access Sensitive Information

Less access isn’t always “better.” Your employees and contractors do need to be able to view and edit the data they need to do their jobs. Technical team members need access to backends, applications, and other sensitive areas of your digital footprint, as well.

But these individuals should only have access to the systems and data that are absolutely necessary for their job functions. They shouldn’t have more access than needed simply “because.” That’s a recipe for unauthorized data releases and makes it more difficult to determine who’s at fault for them.

2. Implement Strict Email Security Protocols

Email is inherently insecure. There’s a good reason you know not to send sensitive data like account numbers or passwords over unencrypted email. You don’t know who’s lurking out there, watching what you send.

As careful as you are to watch what you say in unencrypted emails, you can’t control what your employees and contractors do with emails they receive themselves. But you can clarify the consequences of carelessness with strict email security protocols warning against clicking links in emails, opening emails from unknown senders, and downloading any suspicious attachments.

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication Whenever Possible

Two-factor authentication (2FA) makes it much harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access to password-protected accounts. Not impossible, of course, but harder. 

Enable it for any company account that allows it; most enterprise software does at this point. If a particular system or process doesn’t yet use 2FA, look for an alternative, as the status quo leaves you vulnerable to compromise. 

4. Use Non-Invasive Employee Monitoring Tools

Remote employee monitoring is not necessarily invasive — not if you use the proper tools, at least. Which you should, especially in a tight labor market; nothing saps employee morale faster than the knowledge that their every keystroke is logged.

Look for tools that monitor “uptime” or “active time,” rather than the content of employee activities. Reserve more invasive methods for monitoring sensitive areas of your digital footprint, which should record login attempts and data transmissions anyway. 

Look for unusual patterns of activity, such as employee accounts active during the wee hours of the morning. These patterns can be suggestive of malicious insider activity.

5. Back Up Important Data Frequently

The best way to protect against data loss is to minimize the amount of data you can lose. Not by deleting files every day, of course, but by backing them up in multiple secure locations — both in the cloud and on physical storage media housed away from prying eyes.

The best practice is to back up data at least once daily, but twice a day is better. You never know when a ransomware attack will strike, after all.

6. Use Encrypted Email and File Sharing for Sensitive Documents

We’ve already explored the inherent insecurity of conventional email. The alternatives: encrypted email and direct file-sharing services. They’re free or cheap — though enterprises typically have to pay more per seat — and can support large file sizes. For really big transfers, you might need to use a thumb drive, but 95% of your data sharing needs can occur in the encrypted cloud.

Leave No Digital Stone Unturned

Shoring up your organization’s cyber security is not a “one and done” activity. It’s not even an occasional task that you can delegate to one or two people within your organization.

No. It’s a systemwide campaign that never really ends. Sure, a lot of the items on this list qualify as low-hanging fruit, where simple fixes can markedly improve preparedness. But even those fixes require constant attention.

If you’re not already doing so, it’s time to take your organization’s digital security seriously. It’s time to leave no stone unturned in your effort to ward off the bad guys.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is triggering the global fear of major cyber attacks, especially targeting the U.S. and European systems. Till now, there hasn’t been any major cyber attack outside the country’s borders, but there are very high chances of doing so. In fact, back in January, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency published a CISA alert pointing out the threats to American infrastructure by Russian state-sponsored cybercrime.

Russia holds a strong history of deploying cyber attacks in Ukraine and other parts of the world. It is suspected to be involved in many of the major past cyber attacks, such as the attack that turned down Ukraine’s power grids in 2015 or cyber attacks in Georgia. Similarly, the Russian military is also accused internationally of the severe NotPetya malware attack back in June 2017. NotPetya attack was so intense and widespread that it targeted the Ukrainian government, energy, and financial sectors and caused billions of dollars in damages.

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both the government-backed hackers and other cybercriminals allied with Moscow have become active again in deploying new and damaging cyber attacks across the countries, targeting critical infrastructure and other most commonly used productivity tools. In fact, many cybercriminals in Russia tend to follow the government objectives in order to keep law parties away from them for some time. However, such cybercriminals mostly do not follow instructions properly and often go wild. For example, the ransom ware gang Conti made a statement that it will initiate attacks on the important infrastructure of anyone who launched cyber attacks or any other war activities against Russia. The Russian government is also known to keep a blind eye against major cybercrimes that are driven from its borders unless they also target any Russian assets.

There are many human rights groups and other organizations across the world that are somehow supporting Ukraine. So, the cybercriminals can make them their prime targets and can try to damage them as much as they could. Moreover, all the cyberattacks that initially target Ukraine can end up becoming massive cyber weapons.

Digital Attacks on Ukraine Before War

Even before the Russian invasion, there were many digital attacks carried out on Ukrainian. For example, the Ukrainian government, state service, and foreign ministry websites went down even before the Russian invasion started.

Some of the recent cyber activities reported include:

• 70+ Ukrainian government websites are spoiled in cyber attacks. Websites of the education ministry, foreign ministry, agriculture, energy, and sports ministries, and similar other Ukrainian government websites are hit by cyber attacks.
• Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) has detected proof of destructive malware operations that are targeting Ukrainian organizations.
• As per Forbes, right after the conflict started, the suspected cyber-attacks sourced from Russia observed an increase of over 800% in a 48-hour period.
• Russia is anticipated to have hacked Viasat, a US satellite communications provider, right at the invasion day.
• Recently, the national internet provider of Ukraine, Ukrtelecom, has confirmed a cyber attack, as its connectivity collapsed to 13% of pre-war levels.

In short, there is no doubt in accepting the fact that cyberattacks are on the rise ever since the invasion begin and things are not looking to get better soon.

How to Remain Protected from Cyber Attacks in Present Threats?

The current cyber threats, the warnings around them, and the fear of devastating outcomes are all meant to create uncertainty and worry. But the right strategy is to be aggressive instead of being worried. If you set up proper cybersecurity protection measures with up-to-date intelligence, then you can minimize the impact of becoming a victim of any cyberattack. But the question is what cybersecurity measures are effective in the present scenario?

Every organization has different digital needs and connectivity approaches, so the cybersecurity measures also vary accordingly. However, some of the common cybersecurity practices that almost all organization need today are as follow:

• Patching: Patching stands as one of the most vital security measures that can drastically enhance overall security. Software or operating systems mostly release the patch of any bug or issue they detect and request their users to patch the software asap. Cybercriminals often tend to exploit such loopholes, so it is vital to patch the systems regularly and keep your software/OS updated with new security features.
• Identify and Fix IT Black Holes: Every organization has its set of black holes in IT infrastructure that act as open doors for attackers. Therefore, you should ensure robust monitoring of the environment carried out by experienced professionals so that all such black holes can be fixed on time.
• Enhance your Current Cyber Infrastructure: You should look into your current cybersecurity infrastructure and try to enhance it by following best practices of vulnerability and configuration management, protective controls and architecture, identity and access management, etc.
• Prepare your Response: Despite comprehensive cybersecurity measures, there are still chances of becoming a victim of any cyberattack. Therefore, you should also have a proper response plan in place that you can execute right away once you detect the attack. The plan should include how to restore the system and data, how to isolate the malware from the system, how to remove malware, how to minimize downtime, etc.

Wrapping Up

It is not easy to forecast what’s the future of the Russia/Ukraine conflicts. However, one thing we know is that cybercriminals have come active in deploying damaging attacks on Ukrainian organizations and then elevating those attacks across other parts of the world. The recent cyberattacks on Ukrainian government websites and other organizations is a proof that things are getting worse gradually.

The ideal approach in this situation is to first keep yourself up-to-date with all the cyber-related news. Secondly, you should enforce all the cybersecurity measures that deem important for your organization. Overall, there is no such thing as full-proof cybersecurity, but you can minimize the chances of becoming a victim of ransomware and cyberattacks to a great extent with the right cyber strategies in place.