How do I Know if my Devices Are Under Attack?
Sep 24, 2021
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Cyberattacks happen every day. Unfortunately for us, they can happen at any time. It’s almost as if cybercriminals never sleep and never take holidays. This makes it even more difficult to keep an eye on your devices.
It can be difficult to know when you have become the victim of a cyberattack, however, it is important to understand the signs and take action as soon as possible. Taking appropriate action quickly can save you a lot of headaches.
Another question that many people ask is: how can you protect yourself from cybercriminals? In this article, we are going to explore all of these topics and help you to take control of your cybersecurity.
How do Cybercriminals Breach Our Security?
Cybercriminals are constantly developing new ways to breach cybersecurity measures. This means that we can never be too safe. As technology develops, they improve their tactics to keep on committing their crimes.
The easiest way for cybercriminals to breach your defences is by tricking you into allowing them onto your devices. You might think that you would never do that, however, cybercriminals have become more crafty over the years.
One of the main ways that they can trick their victims is by using a tactic called phishing. Phishing can be done through emails or websites. Phishing involves using fake content that the user would usually trust. The content will look like it’s from someone who the user trusts.
For example, a popular trend in phishing has been an email that is supposedly from Netflix. The email will tell the user that their payment information needs to be updated or their account will be deactivated.
Once the user clicks on the link at the bottom of the email, malicious software will be downloaded on their device. The software is downloaded in the background, so the user might never even know about it being there.
This software can range from viruses to spyware and even ransomware. Once the software has been installed, the cybercriminal will gain access to your device. From there it becomes easy for them to commit their crimes.
Luckily there are ways that we can spot phishing attempts. If an email has a call to action and asks you to click on a link, you always need to double-check everything before proceeding.
You can look out for any spelling or grammatical errors in the content. You can also sometimes spot inconsistencies in the logo used in the email. However, the easiest way to check if an email is legit is by looking at the email address and comparing it to the one you usually receive emails from.
Can You Tell When Your Security Has Been Breached?
There are usually some clear signs to look out for if your security has been breached. However, if you do not know about these signs, it can be easy to miss them. You must understand what you need to look out for.
In most cases, you can identify a virus in one of several ways. If your device has suddenly become much slower, and you are experiencing freezing or crashing it could be a sign that there is a virus present.
You also need to be on the lookout to see if there are any new files appearing on your device. In some cases, files can disappear or become corrupted as well. If your log in credentials has been breached you may find transactions on your bank account that you never approved.
What to do if Your Security Has Been Breached
If you identify any of these signs on your devices, it is critical that you take action as soon as possible to prevent any further damage from being done. Once a cybercriminal gains access, they will work quickly to extract as much data from your device as possible.
The first thing you need to do is identify what the cybercriminal has gained access to. Whether it is email accounts, social media accounts or bank accounts, you need to change your passwords as quickly as possible and use strong and unique passwords to keep them secure.
Another step you need to take is to secure your files. Whether they are personal files or work files, the cybercriminal will gain access to them and could either delete them or hold them at ransom. Try to back up all of your important files as soon as you can.
Which Cybersecurity Measures Should You Have in Place
Some cyberattacks can go untraceable for a long time. This happens when software has been programmed to remain dormant until a specific command is given. This means the attack could happen suddenly and unexpectedly.
Having antivirus software installed on your device is the ideal defence against cyber attacks. Antivirus software is capable of scanning your device for malicious software and taking the necessary steps to remove the software from your device.
You should also use a VPN. VPN software is used to encrypt your internet traffic. This means that no one will be able to track what you do online, and will be less likely to catch you out with a well-constructed phishing scam.