In 2023, there were over 353 million victims of cyber attacks, and as the world increasingly relies on the Internet and cloud storage is instructed, this number will continue to rise. It is imperative for all new companies to address current cyber threats that could pose a risk to their customers and operations.

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What types of cyber threats do modern businesses face and what can they do about them?

What are cyber threats?

The term “cyber threat” is very broad. It defines a malicious act that is carried out in the digital space with the intent to harm a company or person.

Examples of cyber threats

One of the most common cybersecurity threats is when a person or organization exploits a backdoor (a vulnerability in an app or website) to steal customer data, such as passwords, addresses, and names. Also known as a data breach, this results in serious damage to the company's reputation and can also cause problems for customers whose data has been stolen.

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Even if the criminals didn't steal passwords or credit card information, they could use the data they have for phishing, which involves contacting people who pretend to be from their bank or another reputable organization and then search for more information.

Types of current cyber threats

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

malware

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

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• 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 blocking access to their files/devices and threatening to delete them.
• Spy programs: Programs that spy on network/computer activity.

DNS and DDoS

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

Backdoors

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

How to protect yourself from cyber threats

There are a few things you can do to protect your business from cyber threats.

First, make sure 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 to optimise your workplace while increasing collaboration and creativity among your employees. Flexopus has ISO27001 certification, and as it’s based in Germany, it strictly abides by GDPR regulations, keeping customer data safe.

Some other considerations include:

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• Inform your employees: Make sure they know what a cyber threat looks like and that they can identify phishing attempts and early warning signs. Also present measures to ensure IT security in the home office.
• Be honest: Tell your customers how their data is being used and do everything you can to protect that data. 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 cyber attack response plan that describes how you will respond in the event of a cyber attack. Update the plan regularly to reflect the latest cyber threats.
• Update software: Keep your software up to date to avoid backdoors and other security breaches. Cybercriminals play a constant game of cat and mouse with developers — the former find security gaps, the latter close them. If you always keep your software up to date, you benefit from all the latest security benefits.
• Mitigate software risks: Only use 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

For a secure way to collaborate within hybrid teams, check out Flexopus. It integrates seamlessly into your existing infrastructure and provides an array of features, such as building management and guest booking, as well as smart analytics to help you track every building, room, and project. What’s more, it’s completely secure and designed with best data protection practices in mind. In addition, regular audits, employee training and penetration tests are carried out to ensure that data protection measures are up to date and effective.

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

Summary: Cyber threats and your business

The more we move in the digital world, the more we are exposed to cyber criminals and their malicious attacks. But even though cybercrime is on the rise, companies have all the tools and knowledge they need to combat it. So stay alert, consider how vulnerable your business and customers are, and always follow best practices.

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