Cyble’s Guide To Securing Your Attack Surface From All Manner Of Cyber Threats
October is Cybersecurity awareness month! On this occasion, we would like to share a quick guide containing some cybersecurity best practices that we advocate everyone to use, regardless of their role.
Today’s cyber threat landscape has rapidly undergone several changes, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to businesses adopting digital transformation as a necessity as well as work-from-home practices worldwide, the attack surface of individuals and entities has increased manifold.
Bearing this in mind, there is a need to adapt the cybersecurity strategy accordingly and reevaluate the exposure to harmful elements, threat actors, and malicious software. This Cybersecurity awareness month, Cyble has compiled a list of reasons as to why individuals and firms should formulate and implement a robust cybersecurity framework.
In this blog, we discuss the primary threats one should watch out for in today’s cyber threat landscape, as well as some best steps to avoid becoming a victim of a cyberattack.
Why implementing proper data-sharing policies is a must:
- Sensitive data may accidentally be shared with people outside the firm
- The latest data may not be available if proper data storing and sharing policies are not implemented
- Sensitive information may accidentally leak if data sharing solution is not being used
- It may create a negative brand perception that proper data-sharing policies are not implemented across an organization leading to a loss of trust from clients and partners.
How the lack of a robust VPN and Anti-Virus/EDR ecosystem affects overall security:
- Employees’ hardware may be susceptible to malware via phishing, typo-squatted domains, etc.
- Employees may be at risk of brute force attacks, password spraying, etc.
- Employees may get infected with some malware by downloading any malicious software, files, attachments, etc.
- Employees may become victims of phishing attacks by clicking on a malicious link in messages or emails.
Comprehensive Cybersecurity Awareness training for employees is the need of the hour:
- Employees may fall victim to common mistakes made by victims of malware, Information Stealers, phishing, ransomware, spyware, etc.
- Employees may inadvertently expose sensitive data via sharing outside official channels and lead to a Data Leak
- Organizations can face security breaches irrespective of following physical and technical security measures.
- Employees may face a financial loss by sharing their sensitive information on phishing or fake sites.
There can be several other factors that can increase the risk and expose your infrastructure and data. The risks may include but are not limited to: malware, attack teams, flaws, and strategies for breaking into systems and networks to gather data that could be useful to attackers.
Cyble Research and Intelligence has regularly monitored and discussed various phishing campaigns and other emerging threats in our blog.
Here is a quick guide for our readers with best practices that can help you secure your attack surface from the most common and active threats in cyberspace today:
- Avoid downloading pirated software from Warez/Torrent websites. The “Hack Tool” present on sites such as YouTube, Torrent sites, etc., typically contains such malware.
- Use strong passwords and enforce multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Enable the automatic software update feature on your computer, mobile, and other connected devices.
- Use a reputed antivirus and internet security software package on your connected devices, including PC, laptop, and mobile.
- Refrain from opening untrusted links and Email attachments without first verifying their authenticity.
- Educate employees on protecting themselves from threats like phishing attacks and untrusted URLs.
- Block URLs that could be used to spread the malware, e.g., Torrent/Warez.
- Monitor the beacon on the network level to block data exfiltration by malware or TAs.
- Enable Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Solutions on the employees’ systems.
- Avoid connecting to public WiFi when possible.
- Avoid public charging stations at airports/malls etc.
- Ensure that your device has a secure biometric ID or a strong passcode if not.
- Avoid working on your personal/non-company-issued device.
- Remove adware from your machines
- Double-check for HTTPS on websites
- Don’t store important information in non-secure places
- Scan external storage devices for viruses
- Back up important data
- Use HTTPS on your website
- Protect access to your critical assets
- Build a robust cybersecurity policy and protected network
- Inform employees about common phishing techniques
- Enable firewall protection at work and at home
- Review your online banking accounts & credit reports regularly for changes
Cyble is a global threat intelligence SaaS provider that helps enterprises protect themselves from cybercrimes and exposure in the Darkweb. Its prime focus is to empower organizations with real-time visibility into their digital risk footprint. Backed by Y Combinator as part of the 2021 winter cohort, Cyble has also been recognized by Forbes as one of the top 20 Best Cybersecurity Start-ups To Watch.
