The types of cyber threats and how to deal with them

In 2023, there were over 353 million victims of cyberattacks, and as the world becomes increasingly reliant on the internet and cloud storage, this number will continue to rise. It is essential for all new businesses to address current cyber threats that could pose a risk to their customers and operations.
What types of cyber threats are modern companies exposed to, and what can they do about them?

What are cyber threats?

The term "cyber threat" is very broad. It defines a malicious act carried out in the digital space with the intent to cause harm to a company or an individual.

Examples of cyber threats

One of the most common cybersecurity threats involves an individual or organization exploiting a backdoor (a vulnerability in an app or website) to steal customer data such as passwords, addresses, and names. This is also known as a data breach and leads to serious damage to a company's reputation and can also cause problems for the customers whose data was stolen.

Even if the criminals have not stolen passwords or credit card information, they could use the data they do have for phishing, where they contact people pretending to be from their bank or another reputable organization and then seek further information.

Types of current cyber threats

Criminals use a range of tools and strategies to gain unauthorized access to companies and applications, including:

Malware

Malware is a program/file that creates a vulnerability in a computer or network. These programs include:

• Trojan viruses: Malware that disguises itself as a legitimate program and lies in wait until it is activated by criminals.
• Worms: A malicious program designed to infect and spread.
• Ransomware: These programs attempt to extort money from individuals by locking access to their files/devices and threatening to delete them.
• Spyware: Programs that spy on network/computer activity.

DNS and DDoS

DNS (Domain Name System) attacks redirect web traffic from legitimate websites to malicious ones, often with the goal of exploiting those visitors or generating affiliate traffic. DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service and describes the process of flooding networks with web traffic to overload them and cause them to crash.

Backdoors

Cybercriminals find or create vulnerabilities in websites, applications, and networks to gain access through a "backdoor."

How to protect yourself from cyber threats

There are a few things you can do to protect your company from cyber threats.
First, you should ensure that you only use licensed and approved software that you know is safe and secure. Take Flexopus as an example. Flexopus is a leading desk sharing solution that can help you optimize your workspace while fostering collaboration and creativity among your employees. Flexopus is ISO27001-certified, and because it is based in Germany, it strictly adheres to GDPR regulations to keep customer data secure.

Some other considerations include:

• Inform your employees: Ensure they know what a cyber threat looks like and can recognize phishing attempts and early warning signs. Also, introduce measures to ensure IT security in the home office.
• Be transparent: Inform your customers about how their data is used and do everything you can to protect it. You should also reduce risk by collecting only the data you need.
• Conduct audits: Like Flexopus, regularly audit your systems and processes to ensure they are adequately prepared for the latest cyber threats.
• Plan: Create a cyberattack response plan outlining how you will react in the event of an attack. Update the plan regularly to account for the latest cyber threats.
• Update software: Keep your software up to date to avoid backdoors and other security vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals play a constant game of cat and mouse with developers—the former find security gaps, the latter close them. By keeping your software up to date, you benefit from all the latest security advantages.
• Limit software risks: Use only essential applications, widgets, plugins, and other external programs on your website—the fewer programs, the lower the risk of exploits.

Flexopus - The secure desk sharing solution

If you are looking for a secure solution for collaboration in hybrid teams, you should take a look at Flexopus. It integrates seamlessly into your existing infrastructure and offers a range of features such as building management and guest booking, as well as intelligent analytics that allow you to evaluate the utilization of your desks, meeting rooms, and parking spaces. The software is completely secure and was developed and hosted in Germany in compliance with top-tier data protection standards. In addition, regular audits, employee training, and penetration tests are conducted to ensure the currency and effectiveness of data protection measures.

Contact us today for a demo to see what Flexopus can do for you.

Summary: Cyber threats and your business

The more we operate in the digital world, the more we are exposed to cybercriminals and their malicious attacks. But although cybercrime is on the rise, companies have all the tools and knowledge they need to fight it. So stay vigilant, consider how vulnerable your business and your customers are, and always follow best practices.

It is a constant battle, but one that the good guys will win.