How hackers could get into your business

Various groups and individuals try to get employees of businesses to install spyware, adware, malware, or viruses on their computing devices, like laptops, notebooks, and desktop computers. These devices are vulnerable because they run complex operating systems that aren’t walled off like mobile devices.

Here are some frequented points of entry into company networks.

A network is a collection of computers, servers, network devices, and/or other devices connected to one another. While this is done to allow the easy sharing of data, it also opens up multiple attack vectors to threats.

The network is typically used as a transportation mechanism for malware once inside, but there are also threats that attack directly from outside.

This makes for a wide and terrifying array of network security attacks that use the network to reach your business’s devices. It is essential to protect your network against external or internal attacks.

Cloud computing has benefited most businesses, with its access allowing increased efficiency of collaborative working and delivery of digital assets. But with convenience come dangers.

By having your private and/or sensitive data stored outside a locked box – outside your network – it is vulnerable to hackers.

The cloud can open you to data breaches (theft), data loss, and service hijacking. Making this more hazardous is weak user credentials.

This is a key way in which hackers acquire access to your assets whether internal or in the cloud, so it’s essential to keep your passwords protected. While instituting a strict company password policy is a sound business practice, it’s not always enough. Use a secure password manager in tandem with your policy and you’ll be safer.

Many organizations use multi-factor authentication to further secure their systems.

The proliferation of mobile devices in the workplace has brought new threats. Whether you operate a BYOD policy (bring your own device) or provide company devices for work, your business is open to new risks.

The main threat comes from devices without a PIN (or a weak PIN) that get stolen. And while there is often not much data on the devices, they allow access to company systems and software. Strong passwords on mobile devices are essential.

A key challenge is making sure the owner’s activity is safe. If they access something malicious by accident in their own time – from their personal email or a website – they may endanger the whole business by giving access to hackers.

Many businesses also advise their staff not to use public Wi-Fi while out of the office – as it is a key entry point for hackers and malware.

As well as external attacks, many companies worry about internal threats from employees taking advantage of access: stealing data or damaging/infecting systems on purpose. The actions of your staff cover a range of potential threats – as it is often their failure to spot a threat that allows hackers and malware into systems and software. Social engineering threats are designed to trick people and many click on links in emails or open attachments that infect whole networks. What makes this harder is that many staff either don’t know, or try and conceal their mistake.

Most businesses closely monitor the software their people use and don’t allow the download of free or unauthorized software or apps, which is a wise move.

Many organizations are now training their staff to be vigilant and know how to recognize vulnerabilities and threats.

Connected devices are one of the latest new potential entry points. If you have connected items, you may be opening your company up to cyberattacks. The problem is that many IoT devices have poor communication implementation between the device and supporting cloud service. This can make many devices vulnerable, in some cases allowing attackers to take over your IoT devices for further attacks or even spy on your business.

Not only is privacy a key concern, but people may be able to hijack your devices and take control of what those devices control.

Emails are a common source of entry, from phishing to malware.

Attackers send out mass emails disguised as authentic communication that tells the recipient to click on a link. The victim clicks or supplies information and the hackers take the information they are seeking.

Unsecured or public Wi-Fi can be as hazardous for users as it is for providers. By offering unprotected internet to your staff or guests, you may also open yourself up to threats from hackers.

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