Crimes have gone online with the advent of technology in the 21st century. When a cybercrime occurs at an organisational level, it is considered a “significant” cyber attack. Australian organisations have been the target of 16 such attacks since 2018. Several individuals in Australia have also been unfortunate targets of cybercrimes. With the virtual world becoming increasingly malicious, it is up to individuals to secure their electronic devices. If they do face an online attack, several agencies can help them out. For example, if an individual faces a data breach, they can contact agencies offering the best data recovery in Sydney.
Unfortunately, there are several avenues for cyberattacks, and being aware of the possible weak points helps people live more secure digital lives.
Useful Hacks for Guarding Against Cyber Attacks
Sometimes, even antivirus software is not enough to keep online hackers at bay. While organisations have complex protocols and structures in place to deter hacking attempts, it is not possible to scale it down to an individual level. The best option for individuals would be to guard themselves using all the resources they can from these threats.
Data Loss
Data loss is probably the most devastating of occurrences for any individual. An individual’s phone, tablet or laptop will store several essential files, memorable photos, music and more. There are several ways in which data losses can occur, including:
- Data breach via hacking
- Data wiping virus
- Accidental data wipes
- Failed updates
- Glitchy software or apps
- Password and Personal info Leaks
In the event of a data loss or wipe, the only solution is to contact an agency offering data recovery. These agencies can help individuals recover as much lost data as possible, depending on the level of the breach. People wanting to avoid data breaches or data loss should;
- Install latest updates with security patches.
- Install antivirus apps.
- Encrypt personal data on the phone.
Virus and Other Malware
As technology advances, so do technological threats. Several viruses can conceal themselves as they install on devices, waiting for the right moment to attack. Some malware might also leak data to the perpetrator without the owner’s knowledge. These hi-fi attacks usually target organisations, as they require extremely complex code. Regular antivirus software should be competent enough to deter most individual level attacks.
Authenticity Certificates
People browsing the web should always be on guard for malicious or fake websites. Usually, the device’s security software will authenticate certificates of websites before opening them on the browser. But it is best to ensure that all security updates of browser apps and software are up to date to avoid any data loss or data breach circumstances. Additionally, people should avoid visiting websites that the device warns them against.
Social Media Attacks
Social media is probably the vastest area for potential cyber threats. An unassuming link, a normal-looking profile, a harmless social media acquaintance, etc., could lead to possible data leaks. Social media apps have a strong security protocol, but people should also be wary when they scroll through their feed. As most personal information is available on social media, people should be extra cautious that the online threat doesn’t translate into a physical one.
The Accellion Data breach was one of the most hyped online attacks in Australia and New Zealand. It costs almost 29 billion AUD for an organisation to recover from an online attack. Individual cyber attacks are also expensive to recover from. But some of the agencies offering the best data recovery in Sydney provide their services at affordable costs.
