Cyber security

By Anthony Cowie

The difference between a cyber-attack and the usual online attack is not the tool used but the target and the effect of the attack. A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack against a Minecraft server is harmful to its target but this does not mean it is a cyber-attack as such. A DDoS attack against a bank that crashes or, credit card processing systems and ATM network is known as a cyber-attack.
Cyber-attacks are not about how harmful the attack is or how well you are protected against it, it is what the attacker does when he gets into your system.

Forwarned is forearmed and adequate preparation is the best defence against cyber-attacks. The following 8 steps will keep you and your company safe:
• Install proper End Point protection – such as F-Secure Protection Service for Business or F-Secure Client Security.
• Patch everything – Software Updater makes this easy to do.
• Minimize the attack surface.
• Harden your OS and apps.
• Make backups.
• Know your system well.
• Create a system baseline with a checksum tool.
• Get familiar with which processes are running in the system on a regular basis.
Cyber security breaches can be prevented if you look after your basic security properly. A system that cannot be infected will not be attacked. This means that cyber attackers will effectively be stopped if you have the right security components in place.