#1 Cybersecurity Essentials

Hello!

Welcome to another edition of your newsletter, Hacktractive!

We're here to equip you with the latest cybersecurity insights, tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses like yours.

As always, we're committed to helping you navigate the ever-changing digital landscape safely and confidently.

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This Week in Cybersecurity (week 36)

Let's dive into the most significant cybersecurity events from the past week that SMBs need to know about.

1. Ransomware Targets SMBs: 20% of ransomware victims are small to mid-sized businesses, with 85% of managed service providers reporting ransomware as a common threat to SMBs.

2. Phishing Attacks on the Rise: Nearly 98% of cyberattacks rely on social engineering, with phishing emails being the most popular method. 62% of businesses experienced phishing and social engineering attacks in 2018.

3. High Attack Frequency: BlackBerry cybersecurity solutions stopped over 37,000 cyberattacks per day, highlighting the constant threat faced by businesses of all sizes.

4. Increase in Unique Malware: There was a 40% per-minute increase in novel malware hashes compared to the previous quarter, indicating evolving threats that SMBs need to guard against.

5. Infostealers Prominent: Infostealers were prominent across various sectors, suggesting that sensitive data theft is a major concern for businesses, including SMBs.

Now that we're up to speed with the latest news, let's explore some actionable content to strengthen your cybersecurity posture

Cyber Insights and Best Practices

In today's interconnected world, understanding cybersecurity basics is crucial for everyone.
This edition aims to introduce you to fundamental concepts that can significantly enhance your digital safety.

Let’s talk about cybersecurity basics!

Firewalls: Your First Line of Defense

Firewalls act as barriers between your trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. They monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic, allowing or blocking data packets based on predetermined security rules.

Think of a firewall as a security guard for your digital home. It decides who gets in and out based on your instructions. You can choose between two main types of firewalls:

• Hardware firewalls: Physical devices that protect an entire network.

• Software firewalls: Programs installed on individual devices.

Most modern operating systems come with built-in software firewalls. Make sure yours is activated for an extra layer of protection.

Antivirus Software: Your Digital Immune System

Antivirus software detects, prevents, and removes malicious software (malware) from your devices. It works by:

• Scanning files and programs.

• Comparing them against a database of known threats.

• Identifying suspicious behavior that might indicate new, unknown threats.

Regularly updating your antivirus software is crucial to protect against the latest threats. Many antivirus programs now use artificial intelligence to detect and respond to new types of malware in real time.

Secure Passwords: The Keys to Your Digital Kingdom

Creating strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts is fundamental to cybersecurity. A secure password should:

• Be at least 12 characters long.

• Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Avoid personal information or common words.

Consider using a passphrase—a sequence of random words—which can be both secure and memorable. For example, "correct horse battery staple" is much stronger than "P@ssw0rd!".

Password managers serve as excellent tools for generating and securely storing complex passwords. They allow you to use unique, strong passwords for every account without having to remember them all.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): An Extra Layer of Security

While we won't focus on MFA in detail, it deserves mention due to its increasing importance. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring two or more verification factors to gain access to an account. These factors fall into three categories:

• Something you know (password, PIN).

• Something you have (phone, security token).

• Something you are (fingerprint, face recognition).

Enable MFA wherever possible to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts, even if someone compromises your password.

Software Updates: Patching the Holes

Regularly updating your software and operating systems is crucial for maintaining security. These updates often include patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates to ensure you always protect yourself against the latest known threats.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. Stay informed about the latest threats and best practices. Implement these basic measures consistently across all your devices and accounts. Remember, you are the most important factor in your own cybersecurity. By staying vigilant and following these fundamentals, you take significant steps toward a safer digital life.

That wraps up this week's edition!

Remember, in the world of cybersecurity, knowledge is power – and we're here to empower you every step of the way.

Stay safe and secure!

Hacktractive
By Harke & Co

P.S. Have a burning cybersecurity question?
Reply to this email, and we might feature the answer in our next edition.
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