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Showing posts with label Cybersecurity awareness. Show all posts
ransomware attacks
Cyber Attacks Cybersecurity awareness Gaming PC Microsoft Microsoft Security Response PC Ransomware attack prevention ransomware attacks

How to Protect Your PC from Ransomware with Windows Defender

 

Ransomware is a significant threat that can lock users out of their own files until a ransom is paid to recover the data. CBS News recently highlighted the devastating impact of ransomware, focusing on the Scattered Spider group, which caused millions in damage by targeting Las Vegas casinos. While personal computers are less common targets, it’s still crucial to take precautions. 

The best way to protect your system from ransomware is by avoiding sites or downloads likely to contain malware. However, using additional measures like modern antivirus software or built-in protections in Windows can enhance security. Microsoft Defender, integrated into Windows, offers ransomware protection, but users need to enable it manually. To activate ransomware protection in Windows, you must access the Windows Security app. This can be done by searching for “Windows Security” via the Start Menu or settings. Once inside the app, go to “Virus & threat protection” and activate Controlled folder access. 

This feature limits which applications can alter files in crucial folders, such as Documents, Pictures, and others. While trusted programs like Microsoft Office automatically retain access, unauthorized apps cannot modify or even see these folders until granted permission. This restriction is vital for stopping ransomware from encrypting sensitive files. An essential step to further enhance security is backing up your data. Windows Security facilitates this through integration with OneDrive. By logging into your OneDrive account, either through the Windows PC itself or directly in the OneDrive app, you can ensure automatic backups of your important files. 

This provides an additional layer of security, helping to recover encrypted data without paying a ransom. While OneDrive offers convenient cloud backup, it’s also recommended to keep offline backups. These backups are immune to ransomware that might affect your online accounts. Without an offline backup, relying solely on cloud services still leaves a vulnerability. Turning on ransomware protection comes with minor inconveniences, especially for those who save files in common folders. 

For instance, gamers might experience issues with save files being restricted, but this can be remedied by adding specific apps to the access list or adjusting where files are saved. Overall, securing your PC against ransomware involves enabling the built-in features in Windows, setting up OneDrive backups, and keeping an offline backup for extra safety. Taking these steps ensures you’re prepared in case your files are ever threatened by ransomware attacks.
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Zero Trust
5G networks Artificial Intelligence Biometrics Blockchain Cloud Security cutting-edge technologies Cyber Insurance Cyber Security Cybersecurity awareness edge computing quantum cryptography Zero Trust

Top 10 Cutting-Edge Technologies Set to Revolutionize Cybersecurity

 

In the present digital landscape, safeguarding against cyber threats and cybercrimes is a paramount concern due to their increasing sophistication. The advent of new technologies introduces both advantages and disadvantages. 

While these technologies can be harnessed for committing cybercrimes, adept utilization holds the potential to revolutionize cybersecurity. For instance, generative AI, with its ability to learn and generate new content, can be employed to identify anomalies, predict potential risks, and enhance overall security infrastructure. 

The ongoing evolution of technologies will significantly impact cybersecurity strategies as we navigate through the digital realm.

Examining the imminent transformation of cybersecurity, the following ten technologies are poised to play a pivotal role:

1. Quantum Cryptography:
Quantum Cryptography leverages the principles of quantum physics to securely encrypt and transmit data. Quantum key distribution (QKD), a technique ensuring the creation and distribution of interception-resistant keys, forms the foundation of this technology. Quantum cryptography ensures unbreakable security and anonymity for sensitive information and communications.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI):
AI enables machines and systems to perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, including learning, reasoning, decision-making, and natural language processing. In cybersecurity, AI automation enhances activities such as threat detection, analysis, response, and prevention. Machine learning capabilities enable AI to identify patterns and anomalies, fortifying cybersecurity against vulnerabilities and hazards.

3. Blockchain:
Blockchain technology creates a decentralized, validated ledger of transactions through a network of nodes. Offering decentralization, immutability, and transparency, blockchain enhances cybersecurity by facilitating digital signatures, smart contracts, identity management, and secure authentication.

4. Biometrics:
Biometrics utilizes physical or behavioral traits for identity verification and system access. By enhancing or replacing traditional authentication methods like passwords, biometrics strengthens cybersecurity and prevents fraud, spoofing, and identity theft.

5. Edge Computing:
Edge computing involves processing data closer to its source or destination, reducing latency, bandwidth, and data transfer costs. This technology enhances cybersecurity by minimizing exposure to external systems, thereby offering increased privacy and data control.

6. Zero Trust:
The zero-trust security concept mandates constant verification and validation of every request and transaction, regardless of the source's location within or outside the network. By limiting lateral movement, unwanted access, and data breaches, zero trust significantly improves cybersecurity.

7. Cloud Security:
Cloud security protects data and applications stored on cloud platforms through tools such as encryption, firewalls, antivirus software, backups, disaster recovery, and identity/access management. Offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency, cloud security contributes to enhanced cybersecurity.

8. 5G Networks:
5G networks, surpassing 4G in speed, latency, and capacity, improve cybersecurity by enabling more reliable and secure data transfer. Facilitating advancements in blockchain, AI, and IoT, 5G networks play a crucial role in cybersecurity, particularly for vital applications like smart cities, transportation, and healthcare.

9. Cybersecurity Awareness:
Cybersecurity awareness, though not a technology itself, is a critical human component. It involves individuals and organizations defending against cyber threats through security best practices, such as strong passwords, regular software updates, vigilance against phishing emails, and prompt event reporting.

10. Cyber Insurance:
Cyber insurance protects against losses and damages resulting from cyberattacks. Organizations facing financial or reputational setbacks due to incidents like ransomware attacks or data breaches can benefit from cyber insurance, which may also incentivize the adoption of higher security standards and procedures.

Overall, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity is deeply intertwined with technological advancements that both pose challenges and offer solutions. As we embrace the transformative potential of quantum cryptography, artificial intelligence, blockchain, biometrics, edge computing, zero trust, cloud security, 5G networks, cybersecurity awareness, and cyber insurance, it becomes evident that a multi-faceted approach is essential. 

The synergy of these technologies, coupled with a heightened human awareness of cybersecurity best practices, holds the key to fortifying our defenses in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. As we march forward into the digital future, a proactive integration of these technologies and a commitment to cybersecurity awareness will be paramount in securing our digital domains.
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Training program
Cyber defense Cyber Security Cybersecurity awareness cybersecurity solutions FortiGuard Fortinet Training program

Cybersecurity Defense: Employee Cybersecurity Awareness Now a Priority


Fortinet’s FortiGuard Labs, in their recent reports, discovered that ransomware threats are still at the top of the list in terms of cyber threat, with the cases only growing on a global level. Likewise, Fortinet discovered that in 2022, 84% of firms faced one or more breaches.

The research by Fortinet reveals that more than 90% of the cybersecurity experts agree that the surging frequency of cyberattacks can be reduced if organizations focus on increasing their employees’ cybersecurity awareness.

The report emphasizes the critical role of employees in serving as an organization's first line of defense in defending their firm from cybercrime as it becomes more common for businesses to confront cyber threat incidents.

Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness Among Employees

The report further revealed that among all the organizations surveyed, 81% of them confirmed to have experienced at least one cyber incident, be it malware, phishing or password breach over the course of last year. Most of the attacks were primarily targeted at organization’s employees, who apparently has access to the firm’s systems. This emphasizes how a company's employees could either be its weakest link or one of its strongest defenses.

Nearly 85% of the organization leaders claims that their organization has adequate security awareness and training program provided to its employees. However, 50% believed that their employees, regardless of the training programs still lack a proper cybersecurity knowledge.

This variation shows that the existing training programs may not be as successful as they could be, leading to inconsistent use of appropriate cyber hygiene measures by staff, or that instruction may not be effectively reinforced.

Board of Directors Prioritizing Cybersecurity 

Given the fact that many of these cyber-attacks are targeted to users, it is likely that boards already recognize—or will do so soon—that employee cybersecurity awareness is an essential component of the "defense equation". 93% of businesses said their board of directors often questions them about their cyber security and strategy.

John Maddison, EVP of Products and CMO at Fortinet says, “Our 2023 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Brief underscores the crucial role employees play in preventing cyberattacks. It also highlights the critical need for organizations to prioritize security awareness and training services to ensure employees serve as the first line of defense.”

One of the best solutions to avoid cybersecurity incidents an organization can adopt is by conducting better training program, setting the groundwork for a culture of cybersecurity that is ready and strong. This way, employees would attain a better cyber-risk awareness and further encourage them to defend their organization whenever the situation calls.

Organizations are aware that they require sophisticated cybersecurity solutions and that technological certifications help their IT employees' cybersecurity skills. Employee awareness may not have gotten the full attention it deserves up to this point, but it may become crucial in the years to come in the fight against cybercrime.  

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