Understanding Cybersecurity Risks and how they affect your Small Business.
You might think that cyber criminals are only interested in large companies or those with huge financial assets. After all, that’s where the big bucks are, right?
At JND Consulting Group we think every business is a target for a cyber attack.
Recent reports have shown that cyber criminals are casting their nets wide, targeting businesses of all sizes, from mom-and-pop stores to global enterprises. And they’re doing it with the help of something called “botnets.”
What are Botnets?
You may have heard about the rise of malicious botnets, and you’re probably wondering, “what on earth is a botnet, and why should I care?” Botnets are the secret weapons of cyber criminals. They’re armies of compromised devices, all under the control of a single, malicious puppeteer. These can be anything from your computer to your smart refrigerator. Yes, even your refrigerator can be turned into a cyber weapon.
A new report observed “massive spikes” in the activity of these botnets, with over a million devices involved in malicious activities at one point. To put it into perspective, that’s a hundred times the usual levels of botnet activity.
Usually, there are around 10,000 devices doing naughty stuff each day, with 20,000 being the highest number researchers had seen. But in December 2023, things got crazy. The number shot up to 35,144, and two weeks later, it rose even further to 43,194. That’s a lot of compromised devices.
And it didn’t stop there; the researchers saw the biggest spike yet, hitting a whopping 143,957 distinct devices being used at the same time. In fact, on January 5 and 6 there were spikes of more than a million devices!
Why are they doing this?
These botnets are being used to scan the internet, searching for weaknesses in websites, servers, and even email systems.
Think of the internet as a fortress with many doors and windows. These cyber criminals are looking for unlocked doors and open windows to sneak in. They focus on specific “ports” that serve as entry points.
What can you do to protect yourself from these cyber threats?
It’s all about strengthening those doors and windows. Here are a few simple steps:
- Keep your software, operating systems, and applications up-to-date. Regular updates often fix vulnerabilities.
- Install a good firewall and reliable antivirus software to protect your devices.
- Educate your employees about cyber security best practices, such as avoiding suspicious links and emails.
- Enforce strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and devices.
- Regularly back up your data to prevent loss in case of a cyber attack.
- Keep an eye on your network for any unusual activity.
- Consider hiring a cyber security expert (JND Consulting Group) to assess and enhance your security measures.
We can help you keep your business better protected, get in touch.
1.888.288.3007 | connect@jndsupport.com
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
Smart Tactics to Reduce Cloud Waste at Your Business
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate. It offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. But cloud services also come with a downside:
Malware, You’re at greater risk than ever before.
Small and medium-sized businesses are at more risk of a malware attack than ever. It’s time to take action to protect your business. Here we tell you how.
Eye-opening Insights from the 2023 Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn We are living in an era dominated by digital connectivity. You can’t overstate the importance of cybersecurity. As technology advances, so do
Be more productive with these Microsoft Edge features
In the never-ending mission to be more productive, the latest Microsoft Edge browser could be a powerful ally. We’re telling you about 3 of its best productivity features.
Is this the most dangerous phishing scam yet?
Bad news: Cyber criminals have yet another new phishing scam up their sleeves and it could be the most dangerous one yet. They’re using genuine subdomains that have been abandoned. We tell you how to stay safe.
AI Trends Sweeping the Cybersecurity Realm
As cyber threats evolve in complexity, AI has emerged as a formidable ally. It empowers organizations with advanced tools and techniques. Helping them to stay one step ahead of malicious actors.
In this exploration, we delve into cutting-edge AI trends. The trends that are reshaping the cybersecurity realm. As well as fortifying defenses against an ever-expanding array of cyber threats.