Cyber security degrees have become more in demand and have become a key area of job growth in the last few years, wherein it has resulted in a huge number of people opting for a degree in it. 

Living in the digital era, there are wider options for terrorists and hackers to exploit individuals and institutions’ privacy. This is why even top companies these days are willing to pay a heavy salary for the right cyber security professionals. They are capable of protecting such data and thereby getting rid of hackers and malware.  

What is Cyber Security, and Why is it Needed?

Cybersecurity is the process of defending and securing internet-connected computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and enterprise data against malicious intruders seeking unauthorised access.

It is not only the large corporations and organisations that are getting affected by these attacks. Even daily consumers fall prey to cyber-attacks such as data breaches, phishing, identity theft etc. As society is being more technologically reliant than ever before, cyber security’s importance is rising.

Cybersecurity is necessary because it safeguards all types of data against theft and loss. Sensitive data, personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), personal information, intellectual property, data, and government and business information systems are all examples of this.

Types of Cyber Attacks:

Cyber attacks can be found in all shapes and sizes. Some may be overt Ransome attacks wherein they demand money as exchange, while others are stealthy operations in which criminals infiltrate a system to steal vital data, only to be detected months later, if at all.

Here are some of the most basic types of cyber attacks:

· Phishing

Phishing is the practice of transmitting malicious messages via emails that appear to come from respectable, well-known sources. To avoid doubts and persuade victims to click on malicious links, these emails imitate the same names, logos, phrasing, and so on as a CEO or firm.

When a phishing link is clicked, cybercriminals have access to personal information such as credit cards, social security numbers, and login credentials.

· Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MitM)

When hackers interfere with the traffic of a two-party transaction, this is known as a Man-in-the-Middle attack. Criminals, for example, can put themselves between a user’s gadget and a public Wi-Fi network.

Cyber hackers can occasionally read all victims’ information without ever being discovered without a secure Wi-Fi connection.

· Malware

The term malware refers to malicious software such as spyware, ransomware, and viruses. It usually infiltrates networks by exploiting a flaw, such as clicking on suspicious email links or installing a dangerous application.

Malware can gather important information once within a network and develop additional dangerous software throughout the system, and even block access to critical corporate network components.

Personal Cyber Security Tips:

1. Use Strong Passwords

Do you still use the default password? If that’s the case, then it’s high time you change it! A strong password should be between 8 and 12 characters long, with upper and lower case letters, at least one number, and a special character. Don’t use simple passwords or anything based on easily accessible personal information.

2. Keep Wi-Fi Secure

Same as the password, Wi-Fi should also be kept protected. It is always best to use WPA2(Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2) for your security.

3. Avoid Suspicious Emails and Texts

Don’t you recognise the sender’s email address or phone number? Please don’t open it, and don’t respond. Other than uninstalling it, don’t do anything! Many of these are used as the first step in a phishing or identity theft scam.

4. Firewalls and Encryption

Firewalls regulate inbound and outbound network traffic. This includes limiting access to certain dubious websites. Encryption is critical if you’re dealing with financial transactions, especially if you’re a business owner. Encryption software scrambles data, making it worthless even if it gets into the wrong hands unless the criminals also have access to the encryption key.

Ready to Start your Cyber Security Career?

The more you learn about cyber security, the more secure your network will be, and the more at ease you will be. There are, in fact, many courses available wherein you can secure your cyber security career.

Techmindz offers you the best training and mentoring around emerging technologies, including cyber security. Located in the heart of Infopark Campus, we are the first corporate training platform under an IT company that delivers in-depth technology learning within a corporation and gives internship and career chances.