Getting Hacked In this internet age, with an increase in cyber-crimes, everyone’s online life has been insecure. And the companies are not unaffected by it. A company has lots of information that can be useful to rivals and criminals, such as trade secrets.
Hackers may hack someone’s email inside the company to siphon the desired information such as client list (contacts), quotation or deal details (email contents), data and shared file (attachments or drive), etc. In the past decade or so, companies have started taking the cyber threat seriously. Here are ten popular ways a hacker may get into your company and methods to avoid it.
Getting Hacked From hacker
The most common thing a hacker is perceived to do is breaking in after scanning the network. The hacker scans a company network to find weaknesses in it. Once he finds a hole, he exploits it and breaks into the company’s network system.
How to avoid it?
A few methods to avoid it are:
- Increase network security
- Hire an ethical hacker
- Announce bug bounty programs
2. A Mole
Ancient methods of spying and gaining information are still effective in the modern age. A rival company may send a spy as an employee for hire or hire someone inside the company through bribe (or other methods). Then this mole will either steal information himself or assist in breaking into the company’s network system.
How to avoid it?
- Beware who you hire.
- Beware who has access to sensitive information.
3. Wi-Fi Compromises
Sometimes, a company has an open Wi-Fi connection or a Wi-Fi connection with a weak password so that employees don’t have trouble connecting to it. That’s fine, but a hacker won’t have difficulties connecting to it as well. And using the company’s Wi-Fi connection, the hacker may break into the system. Getting Hacked
How to avoid it?
- Have a strong password
- Keep track of devices connected
4. Spear Phishing
The hacker may send an ostensible email from a seemingly trusted sender (a bank or government organization) to trick individuals into sharing information.
How to avoid it?
- Beware of such emails
5. Drive-By Attack
You can be hacked by simply visiting a website. A malicious coding hidden in the website codes will be downloaded into your device as soon as you visit the website, and then the coding will install malware, etc.
How to avoid it?
- Keep your apps and software updated
- Avoid visiting suspicious websites
6. Password Reset
Hackers may hack someone’s email by hijacking their password. They can use the reset password feature to change the current password. Security questions? If they have kept an eye on your online and social media activity, guessing answers won’t be hard. Getting Hacked
How to avoid it?
- Take activity emails seriously
- Always lie in the security questions, so that only you are aware of the answers
7. Credentials from Social Media
Hackers may steal credentials and information from the targeted individual’s accounts on websites like LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.
How to avoid it?
- Beware of who you connect with and who can view your information
8. Getting Hacked
A mere USB device may also hack a company’s system. This USB would be laced with malware that will be installed once plugged-in. The infected USB drives may be circulated by the mole.
How to avoid it? Getting Hacked
- Know where your USB drive goes
- Keep your anti-malware updated
9. Company Password
Passwords to the company website account can be obtained by guess (in case of weak passwords) or social engineering.
How to avoid it?
- Keep strong passwords
- Avoid sharing passwords
10. Trojan Horse
A program, file, or package may be received (or installed), that performs innocuous tasks, while installing malware into your device.
How to avoid it?
- Keep anti-malware active and updated
- Accept files and data only from reliable sources
Most of the security breaches don’t happen through the IT department of the company but from other unlikely departments. It is necessary to keep track of what your employees use the company system and servers for. It may sound like an invasion in someone’s privacy. However, if someone uses company provided services, he or she is liable to use it for the company’s benefit. The best option is to hire a certified ethical hacker to test and ensure security.
