In the modern age of technology, the term cyber threat is often used to refer to security matters relating to personal information on the internet. Cyberspace has become the virtual platform where all cyber attacks are orchestrated and directed to a specific individual. The thought of a cyber attack is usually perceived as a nuisance, though it is a serious issue affecting the everyday life you are living. A vast majority of people don’t regard a cyberattack as a real threat to human lives. The digital age calls for alertness when it comes to issues regarding online security and safety.
What are the Types of Cyber Threats?
Cyber attacks result in more than just intrusion into your personal life, but pose a threat to national security such as; access to private information such as medical information, disrupt computer and phone networks, and paralyze systems that make data acquisition impossible. If cyber threats are not monitored, they can affect the entire world and reality as we know it. As technology advances, cyber threats are increasing and becoming more severe by the day.
When it comes to the different types of cyber threats affecting people worldwide, the most common type of cyber threat you should be on the lookout for is malware. This is software that performs a malicious act of targeting specific devices and networks. The software can corrupt data or viciously take over networks and systems.
Another typical example of cyber threat is referred to as phishing. This specific type of attack is introduced via email by tricking you into disclosing personal information. This is easily achieved through clicking on a hyperlink attached to a message. Most people find themselves convinced that they are communicating with a specific person. Yet, the truth of the matter is that they are being tricked into providing personal information.
‘Man in the middle attack” is a form of cyber threat where the attacker establishes a position between the sender and the victim and allows them to change it in transit, altering the actual message. This type of threat creates the illusion that you are communicating with someone, yet the fact of the matter is that you have been lured into a trap of a cyber attacker who wants to acquire your personal information.
Many people worldwide have access to a mobile phone, not aware that these devices are still vulnerable to malware attacks. Cyber attacks are made through; app downloads or website phishing. A cyber attacker can access personal information, financial accounts, location data, and so much more. Cyber threats can expose national secrets and other information that is not meant for public consumption.
In Summary
Cyber threats have a diverse range of sources, contexts, and people. Acts of malice come from different sources: individuals with malicious software, Nation-states, terrorists, hackers, and many more. You should be aware of such sources of cyber threats for the security of personal and national information.
