Cyber security is more important than ever. At least once a month, if not once a week, we hear of some kind of cyber attack. In early August 2017, for example, hackers successfully breached HBO and stole episodes of the popular series Game of Thrones.
MALL.cz announced in the summer that it had “detected an attempted security breach”. The attack targeted an older database of user passwords. It therefore sent out a request to some customers to change their passwords. Such incidents, at the very least, damage a brand’s reputation, if they do not result in more extensive financial loss.
Why secure data?
It is absolutely essential to secure servers, which is usually handled by the hosting provider. The price depends on the quality of the security. It is also advisable to have a website running on the encrypted HTTPS protocol. Indeed, Google recommends this and gives priority to encrypted sites. For sites requiring login, an encrypted connection is standard.
Few can defend against a direct hacker attack, such as the one on HBO, and very few will be the target of such an attack. Just like a bank robbery, breaching the servers of a global giant is extremely difficult.
Nevertheless, attempts to breach the system do occur. The easiest way to try to breach security is to rely on human error. This strategy pays off. According to research by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, in most cases people know they shouldn’t click on unknown links, yet they click on them without a second thought:
Malware – that is, malicious programs that spread via the internet – poses an immediate threat. In addition to viruses, ransomware is also a form of malware; in June 2017, the Wannacry ransomware, which spread via email, paralysed the world. In January, a phishing email was sent targeting ČSOB customers – an attack designed to steal login credentials.
A malware outbreak can be triggered by something as simple as opening an attachment – a security lapse that is easily preventable.
The key is a password
All it takes is a little knowledge and some rules on what behaviour to avoid. Children are taught not to play with matches; the same applies to the internet.
Basic protection is a strong password
. You can do this as a user, and it pays off in your private life too.
A secure password:
- Has 8 characters
- Upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters
- Used for only one service.
It is better to be cautious. Note that online banking usually has two-factor authentication (typically via an SMS code). Treat your data with the same care as the money in your account. Hackers attack passwords using software that guesses them. For example, a password like “J4n25” can be guessed in less than a second.
Learn how to protect your data
AITOM,
together with the security firm IDC Softwarehouse
and lawyers from Stuchlíková & Partners,
has created the CyberSec e-learning course, which trains employees
on how to protect company data. Nowadays, everyone needs to know the basic security principles. Licences can be purchased for specific employees, costing just a few crowns a month per person. The entire course is designed for non-specialists to ensure it is easy to understand. Request a trial version.