The digital era has transformed the way people live and work, and brought with it a series of innovations and conveniences for everyday life. However, as technology evolves, the sophistication of threats to digital security and the frequency of cyber attacks targeting companies have also advanced rapidly.
According to a survey by Check Point Research, the number of cyberattacks worldwide increased in the second quarter of 2024. They were 1.636 hacker attacks per week, a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Considering the alarming scenario and aiming to support companies in identifying the main cyber threats of today,Denis Riviello, head of cybersecurity ofCG One, technology company focused on information security, network protection and integrated risk management, listed the five most common attacks and explains how organizations should act to prevent them
1. Phishing
Phishing remains at the top of the most common and dangerous forms of cyber attack. The method involves sending fraudulent messages that disguise themselves as legitimate communications, usually by email, to deceive the recipient and make them reveal sensitive information, such as passwords and bank details.
According to the CG One specialist, it is important to be wary of suspicious links and attachments, as well as unsolicited messages, especially if they are from unknown contacts. "Today, phishings are becoming increasingly elaborate and well done. Very good proposals or requests on behalf of legitimate bodies can be a strategy to attract victims to fake sites where sensitive company data can be stolen, alert.
2. Malware
The Malware, or malicious software, it is a broad category that includes viruses and other forms of software designed to damage systems, steal data or compromise the security of organizations. With the sophistication of threats alongside technological advancement, it has become more difficult to detect and neutralize attacks without multifactor investment in cybersecurity.
For Riviello, it is essential to adopt preventive measures periodically, including the installation of antivirus and regularly performing backups. "Tools like firewalls, antivirus, extensions, among other solutions, function as a fundamental barrier to prevent the infection of company systems by malware and other types of cyber attacks, evaluate the executive.
3.Ransomware
Ransomware is a specific type of malware that encrypts a company's files and commonly demands a ransom to unlock them. Attacks of this kind can have devastating consequences for companies, paralyzing business operations and causing significant financial losses. In recent times, the popularity of the method has increased, with cybercriminals enhancing their techniques to maximize impact and increase the chances of receiving payment
So that companies are protected against a ransomware attack, it is essential to adopt a multifaceted approach, what includes the implementation of robust backup systems and the rigorous application of security updates. "Furthermore, network segmentation and the use of advanced threat detection and response solutions can significantly mitigate risk and limit the impact of a potential attack, guides the CG One specialist
4. Deep Fakes
Deep fakes are a digital manipulation technique that uses artificial intelligence to create videos, audio and images that appear extremely real. Technology is capable of replacing a person's face in images, modify the voice to imitate someone or even create entire videos of events that never happened. These manipulated contents have often been used to deceive people, spread disinformation and commit financial fraud in companies around the world.
The specialist is categorical about the need for a solid security policy to ensure the protection of organizations against such a sophisticated form of cyber attack. "Education and employee awareness are crucial points". It is essential that everyone in the organization knows how to recognize signs of possible deep fakes and knows how to react appropriately. Only the combination of technology and human awareness ensures an effective defense against the increasingly sophisticated threats of deep fakes, explain
5. Social Engineering
Social engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human errors to obtain private information, access or financial advantages from actions that compromise the company's security. When exploring trust, the fear or urgency of unsuspecting users, attackers can induce victims to provide sensitive data or carry out fraudulent transactions without any suspicion. This approach is not based solely on technology, but mainly in a deep understanding of human behavior
Investing in the awareness of leaders and employees through security training and workshops is the main tool to prevent scams and attacks that use social engineering. However, Riviello points out two practices that can be applied to the daily lives of employees spontaneously: "under no circumstances provide personal or corporate information to unexpected requests, even if they seem legitimate. Always confirm the identity of the person requesting the data, especially if the request is urgent or unusual, finalizes the cybersecurity specialist
