cyber security

cyber security

1. key terms

   • attack
     • An attack is a deliberate action, targeting an organisation’s digital system or data.
   • Cyber Security
     • refers to the range of measures that can be taken to protect computer systems, networks and data from unauthorised access or cyberattack.
   • Unauthorised Access
     • This refers to someone gaining entry without permission to an organisation’s system, software or data.
   • threat
     • Internal Threat
       • caused by an incident inside an organisation
     • External Threat
       • caused outside the organisation
     • A threat is an incident or an action which is deliberate or unintended that results in disruption, down time or data loss.

2. hackers

   • BLACK HAT HACKER
     • is someone who tries to inflict damage by compromising security systems
   • GREY HAT HACKER
     • is someone who does it for fun and not with malicious intent
   • is someone who seeks out and exploits these vulnerabilities.
   • WHITE HAT HACKER
     • is someone who works with organizations to strengthen the security of a system

3. Types of Threat

   • Malicious Software
     • This is an umbrella term given to software that is designed to harm a digital system, damage data or harvest sensitive information.
   • Virus
     • A piece of malicious code that attaches to a legitimate program. It is capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer
   • worms
     • Worms get around by exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems and attaching themselves to emails.
     • They self replicate at a tremendous rate, using up hard drive space and bandwidth, overloading servers.
   • Trojan Horse
     • Users are tricked into downloading it to their computer. Once installed the Trojan works undercover to carry out a predetermined task.
   • Rootkit
     • Designed to remotely access and control a computer system without being detected by security software or the user.
   • Ransomware
     • Encrypts files stored on a computer to extort/demand or steal money from organisations.
   • Spyware
     • Is secretly installed to collect information from someone else's computer
   • Keyloggers
     • spyware that records every keystroke made on a computer to steal personal information
   • Adware
     • Automatically shows adverts such as popups. Most adware is harmless but some contain spyware such as keyloggers
   • Distributed Denial-of-Service attack (DDoS attack)
     • flooding a website with useless traffic to inundate and overwhelm the network

4. Social Engineering

   • is a set of methods used by cybercriminals to deceive individuals into handing over information that they can use for fraudulent purposes
   • Shoulder Surfing/Shouldering
     • It involves the attacker watching the victim while they provide sensitive information
   • Phishing
     • is an attack in which the victim receives an email disguised to look as if it has come from a reputable source, in order to trick them into giving up valuable data. The email usually provides a link to another website where the information can be inputted.
   • Pharming
     • is when a victim redirects the user from a genuine website to a fake one.
   • Blagging/Pretexting
     • is an attack in which the perpetrator invents a scenario in order to convince the victim to give them data or money.
   • Tailgating/Piggybacking
     • Trying to gain access to a secure room or building.
   • Baiting
     • Cyber criminals make a promise of goods to get the information that they need.
   • Quid Pro Quo
     • Cyber criminals make a promise of a service to get the information that they need.