5 Ways to Stop Cyber Attacks

4 min readSep 29, 2022

The number of internet users in India is projected to reach 900 million by 2025. Digital literacy of such a vast majority of the population benefits the country in more ways than one. It boosts student engagement, encourages social progress, transfers information in real time, and makes things much more accessible. There is hardly anyone, especially in this post-pandemic world, who will disagree with this notion. Not surprisingly, a stable internet connection falls under the category of basic amenities for most people.
Despite its multitude of benefits, the cyber world is not all sunshine and rainbows. A breach of security in the virtual arena can result in data theft, financial loss, destruction of intellectual properties, and damage to reputation. Therefore, it is best if we practice caution when exploring the limitless world of the internet.

1. Malware: common yet lethal

One of the most common threats against your digital abode is malicious software, which is popularly known as malware. From computer viruses, spyware, and adware to trojans, worms, and bots — malware is available in various forms. Cybercriminals who deploy malware to a system or network can easily access and control your data. Sometimes, they ask for a ransom in exchange for the data, which makes ransomware a vicious form of malware.
Most malware attacks the system through the installation of unknown software. So, avoiding responding to spam emails, visiting suspicious websites, or connecting to unreliable devices is always safer. It is also essential to keep a backup of your data and monitor it regularly.

2. What is phishing in cyber security?

Something as simple as a text message can make a dent in your hard-earned money deposited safely in the bank. Unsuspecting users first receive an email, a call, or an SMS that seems to be from a legitimate source. It creates a sense of urgency and then asks for your credentials or sensitive information that can be misused for sneaking into your private accounts.
Good anti-virus software is helpful against spam emails that can lead to phishing. Companies will never ask for sensitive data that is not meant to be shared, so being prudent about sharing any information is a must.

3. DoS and DDoS attacks

With a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, your device gets flooded with botnets, which corrupts it so that it cannot respond to commands. It can also come from a computer network of multiple sources, which is known as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS).
It can be especially harmful to small businesses with limited bandwidth. Apart from the regular use of anti-virus programs, employee awareness can help prevent such invasions.

4. Your password is too weak

A plethora of accounts in the web world means a stack of passwords, which can often make the process of deliberating over the correct password seem like a task. It also leads to a tendency to save passwords on your device. Apart from allowing perpetrators to access all of your accounts virtually, it can also lead to the loss of your private data.
Creating high-strength passwords and PINs that are not saved in the device itself will be the first step towards protecting yourself. Using multi-factor authentication can also help against these cyber security threats.

5. Remote working disadvantages

The pandemic has substantially changed the working style of most enterprises. With the work-from-home model on the rise, cloud computing has come to the forefront. It gives a golden opportunity to the attackers to infiltrate your private space and steal critical information that can even affect the employers.
You should install security software and keep all applications updated to ensure the best health of your system. Staying vigilant about suspicious notifications and activities can also be beneficial. You can also use VPN as an additional layer of protection.

As a user, it is everyone’s responsibility to be cautious while browsing or availing any service on the internet. We need to be aware of cyber crimes in order to combat it. Spending a few extra seconds to select a more robust password is always better than losing any precious data. Paying a small amount for anti-virus software is also more profitable than compromising the security of your accounts. One of the first lessons we learnt in school rings true regarding cyber security threats — prevention is always better than a cure.

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