The coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented event that changed the lives of millions of
people in the UK. The pandemic had an extraordinary impact on day-to-day life, creating a
‘new normal’ in terms of how we live and work. The Covid-19 crisis has also created a set of
unique cybercrime-related circumstances which has affected people and businesses in the UK
to a great extent.
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Common Types of Attacks
Cybercriminals are exploiting the high levels of anxiety and fear brought about by the
pandemic to increase the range and frequency of attacks. To effectively defend yourself and
your business, you need to understand the cyberthreats you are facing. The most common
types of attacks include:
Phishing
Phishing is a social engineering tactic that often uses email to dupe individuals into divulging
confidential or sensitive information. Phishing email scams can inflict massive damage on
businesses and are not always easy to distinguish from genuine messages.
Malware
Malware refers to a vast range of malicious files or programs that are designed to disrupt or
cause harm to a computer. Common types of malware include viruses, trojans, worms,
botnets, rootkits, and spyware. Malware is mostly spread via phishing.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware intended to encrypt the files in your system or network and
demand payment for the decryption key. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly
popular, costing businesses millions of dollars each year.
How to Increase Protection Against Cyber Threats
For businesses in the UK, cyberattacks and data breaches are on the rise and are inevitable.
Security researchers recognize the growing attacks and are urging companies to take adequate
protection measures. Being prepared to defend yourself is the only armour you have against
these cyberthreats. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
● Use a VPN. A VPN, short for Virtual Private Network, is a tool that allows you to
create a secure connection over the Internet. With more and more business
interactions occurring over the internet, a VPN is a great way to encrypt and protect
sensitive information.
● Staff training. Teach your employees to take the necessary precautions in the event
of a Covid-19 themed phishing email. Given the heightened risk of attack during the
pandemic, threat-aware employees are the first line of defence against a cyberattack.
● Install security software. Use security software such as antivirus and firewalls to
minimize exposure to attacks. Security software will help you detect and avert
cyberattacks before they can penetrate your system and cause damage.
The risk of phishing, malware, and ransomware has increased dramatically over the past few
months. The Covid-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the situation. Businesses as well as
individuals ought to familiarize themselves with the evolving threat landscape and take the
necessary measures to protect their data.
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