Cybersecurity: Definition, Interesting Facts, History and Overview
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Cybersecurity involves protecting computer networks and systems against damage or theft of information. Computer security also aims to protect against misdirection and disruption of services they provide. An increasing number of computer users worldwide creates the need to protect data held by these electronics against malicious attackers. Cyber attackers are immensely targeting mobile phones as a large population uses or has access to a smartphone or tablet to store their personal information. There are various vulnerable areas attackers target, and as a result, regulations should be put in place to curb the increasing rates of cyber-attacks. Some sectors that must be protected against cyber-attacks include aviation, financial, and medical systems. There are increasing rates of cyber-attacks and loss of information due to the increased use of mobile phones, cloud technology, and the internet. In recent years, mobile phones have become increasingly used to meet people’s needs, such as tweeting, sending emails, and using internet conferencing. An increasing number of threats posed by cyber-attackers and foreign intelligence agencies lead to information leakage.
Cybersecurity in the Aviation Sector
Planes need to be protected from cyber-attacks as malicious parties can take over the automatic control and crash them, especially in the case of terrorist attacks. The aviation sector is among the sectors whose security is a priority. In addition, layers of security need to be added to control systems. Some sophisticated cyber-attack technologies can penetrate industrial control systems. For example, Stuxnet is a sophisticated malware penetrating the Iranian centrifuges that produce uranium. The malware tricked the systems and diverted them into the wrong spinning, and the operators did not realize since the system was behaving ‘normally’ on their end.
Strategies Used By Cyber-Attackers
Vulnerabilities and attacks to Cybersecurity include using backdoors, phishing, malware, denial of service, tampering, eavesdropping, and social engineering. Cybercriminals may use secret contact points to gain access to information on a computer: they use an illegal method that bypasses the security controls. Criminals, especially those who have a good knowledge of computer systems they can exploit weak points. Attackers may also enter wrong passwords on a victim’s account, blocking the account and denying the people services. Software worms are another means that attackers use in their operations. The worms are deployed directly to one’s computer, enabling the attacker to copy data directly from the computer. There are programs such as A Carnivore that can be used to eavesdrop on internet provider systems, and hence, attackers gain access to passwords and other security information. The attackers may also convince computer users to disclose their personal information, such as PINs and passwords.
Cyber-attackers may modify products illegally by planting surveillance gadgets on computers and mobile phones. When using online services, you must ensure that your chosen service is secure. For example, when you want to pay someone to help you with your homework assignments, you better choose a reliable programming assistance service, such as WriteMyPaperHub. Here, students can address experts for assistance with any computer science discipline, and when they do so, they can rest assured their personal and payment information is protected 100%. It is important to share as little private data as possible with online services, even if you trust them. Hacker attacks are not getting rarer as people use online payments more and more.
Primary Cybersecurity Threats We Face
Major threats to the internet today include phishing scams and malware. In essence, cyber-attackers collect personal information, such as bank card information, from unsuspecting users by posing as official sites and, as a result, defraud them in a way that cannot be traced. The attackers can use malware such as the Trojan virus to access people’s computers and mobiles and leak information. For example, in 2013, Edward Snowden leaked the United States NSA’s classified information through unknown means.
Efforts to reduce cyber-attacks involve using complex firewalls, data back-ups, and adopting a cybersecurity culture. As the threats escalate, companies that handle personal information have put efforts into creating strong firewalls that criminals cannot easily bypass. Mobile phone manufacturers design encryptions that act as security features to protect against hackers’ unauthorized access to personal information. Data back-ups have been created to ensure that any lost data is recovered through backup systems. Various nations also emphasize adopting a cybersecurity culture involving employees, corporations, and other stakeholders and creating awareness to sustain cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity culture targets the people who are the weakest link in the process by creating awareness of ways to improve computer security.
Regulations Are Needed, Regulations Are Lacking
Nations have no comprehensive regulations that outline the matter of Cybersecurity and the consequences that could result from such acts. Cyber-attackers take advantage of vulnerabilities in the system and target institutions in the early stages when they cannot be discovered. The United States regulations touch on two laws: private law and criminalization. Under these laws, one reported to have violated citizens’ privacy by leaking information that could result in leakage or loss of data is charged in a court of law and subject to heavy fines or imprisonment. However, international legislation does not have a uniformly defined concept of Cybersecurity. Bezzubov states, “Cyber threats can result from internal or external factors, and nations ought to work together and develop legislation to protect against such threats.”
Overall, there are increasing concerns about the safety and privacy of data stored by computers and mobiles. There is a need to protect important sectors against possible cyber-attacks. Security can be achieved using firewalls, data backups, and adopting a cybersecurity culture. Nations worldwide have to develop general regulations to protect citizens against attacks.
References
Bezzubov, D., Ihonin, R., & Diorditsa, I. (2018). Cyberthreats as a component of threats in the contemporary world (a Legal Aspect). Journal of Advanced Research in Law and Economics, 8(7), 2086. https://doi.org/10.14505//jarle.v8.7(29).04. Accessed April 21, 2020.
Dobrinoiu, M. (2015). New challenges for cybersecurity and possibly criminal law. International Journal of Information Security and Cybercrime, 4(1), 15-21. https://doi.org/10.19107/ijisc.2015.01.02. Accessed April 21, 2020.
Sousane, R. (2018). Understanding federal cybersecurity culture: An expert perspective on the current and ideal state (Masters). George Washington University. Accessed April 21, 2020.
Thaw, D. (2013). The efficacy of cybersecurity regulation. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2241838. Accessed April 21, 2020.Visner, S. (2016). The cybersecurity storm front—Forces shaping the cybersecurity landscape: A framework for analysis. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 17(3), 85-99. https://doi.org/10.1353/gia.2016.0039. Accessed April 21, 2020.