More than 40% of all internet traffic comes from bots, and a quarter of total internet traffic comes from malicious bots. 

This is why it’s important to detect the presence of bad bots as soon as possible and manage their activities accordingly. In short, a functional bot mitigation strategy is crucial for any business and even individuals with an online presence. 

What Is Bot Mitigation

A key aspect of bot mitigation is to identify the bot traffic and properly distinguish bots from legitimate users, but there are other aspects to bot mitigation we should consider. 

First, it’s crucial to understand that not all bots are bad. Bots are by nature, just tools. They are computer programs that are programmed to execute automated processes without any human intervention. These bots can execute repetitive tasks at a much faster rate than any human user ever could, and so they aren’t necessarily good or bad, it all depends on how the process/task it performs. 

With that being said, there are actually many good bots that are beneficial to our site, application, and/or business, like Google’s crawler bot. Yet, there are indeed bad bots operated by cybercriminals to perform many malicious tasks. 

Thus, a crucial aspect of bot mitigation is distinguishing between good bots and bad bots based on signatures, behaviors, and other factors. 

Another important aspect of bot mitigation is what we will do to malicious bot traffic once it has been properly identified. 

Completely blocking the bot and denying it from accessing our site’s resources might seem like the best and most cost-effective approach at first glance, but it isn’t always the best approach in all situations. 

Block or Not Block Bot Traffic

There are two main reasons why blocking bot traffic isn’t always the best approach. 

The first has been briefly discussed above: we wouldn’t want to accidentally block good bots, and even worse, legitimate human traffic. This is an issue we know as false positives. 

The thing is, today’s bad bots have become so sophisticated in masking their identities and impersonating human behaviors. Bot programmers are now really advanced and many have adopted the latest technologies, including AI to hide the bot’s presence. 

So, even distinguishing between bot traffic and human users is already challenging enough, much worse differentiating between good bots and bad bots. When we aren’t sure about the identity of the suspected malicious bot, then blocking is not a good idea. 

The second reason is that blocking will not stop persistent cyber criminals from attacking your site. They will simply modify the bot to bypass your current bot mitigation measures, and they may also use information you’ve accidentally provided, for example in your error messages when blocking the bot, in upgrading this malicious bot. 

In such cases, blocking the bot can be counterproductive, and this is why there are other bot mitigation strategies you should consider. 

Bot Mitigation Approaches To Consider

If blocking the bot isn’t always the best approach, what are the alternatives? Here are some bot mitigation techniques to consider: 

1. Rate Limiting

A key principle to understand when mitigating bot activities is that bots run on resources, which can be expensive. Thus, all bot operators would like the bot to execute the tasks as fast as possible while also using as few resources as possible. 

Rate limiting, or throttling, works based on this principle: by slowing down our reply to the bot’s requests (i.e. lowering bandwidth), we can significantly slow down this bot’s operation without letting it achieve its objective.

The hope is that by slowing it enough, the bot operator will be discouraged and will move on to another target. 

2. Feeding Fake Data

Similar in principle to rate limiting, but here instead of slowing down our bandwidth, we’ll reply to the bot’s requests with fake content. For example, we can redirect the bot to a similar page with thinner or modified content to poison its data. 

Again, by letting the bot wastes resources, the hope is that the attacker will simply move on to another website instead of persistently attacking yours. 

3. Challenging The Bot With CAPTCHA

When we aren’t completely sure about the identity of a client (whether it’s a bot or a human user), a fairly effective approach is to challenge the client with CAPTCHAs or CAPTCHA alternatives. 

Keep in mind, however, that CAPTCHAs are not a one-size-fits-all solution and might not be ideal in certain cases: 

• The most sophisticated bots with AI technologies can effectively solve CAPTCHA challenges.
• While we can make the CAPTCHA more difficult and challenging for bots, it will also increase the difficulty for human users, which may ruin our site’s user experience
• With the presence of CAPTCHA farms, CAPTCHA isn’t effective in stopping persistent attackers who are ready to invest in the services of these CAPTCHA-solving farms. 

It’s worth noting, however, while CAPTCHA isn’t bulletproof, it is still a fairly effective bot mitigation technique in various situations to defend against less sophisticated bots. Use it tactically and sparingly. 

When To Block The Bot Traffic

Blocking the bot traffic altogether remains the most cost-effective approach in theory since we wouldn’t need to process the bot traffic and use our resources in any way. 

However, blocking the bot traffic is only ideal if we have an adequately strong bot detection solution in place that can consistently distinguish between good bots and bad bots, and can keep detecting the presence of malicious bots even after they’ve been modified and improved. 

An AI-based bot mitigation solution that is capable of predictive, real-time behavioral analysis is essential, and by investing in one, you’ll get the easiest and most effective bot mitigation solution to implement in protecting your business from various bot threats. 

Ah, lovely holiday weekend. We closed early on Friday. All the staff is enjoying family time. Many are out of town. The ideal time for a horrific ransomware attack to shut down hundreds of businesses and cost millions of dollars. Happy Independence Day!

In my 30 years of running our business servers, I have noticed that system penetration attacks, denial of service attacks, and various other cyber attacks increase when people are away from their systems. The attackers choose this time hoping that people are not watching the server messages that hint their system has been compromised. In recent times, organizations are getting more cautious about this problem. Hence, they are actively seeking qualified ethical hackers who have pursued a professional ethical hacking course and are a good fit for their team.

Starting mid-afternoon on July 2^nd, an nefarious group succeeded in compromising a network security reseller named Kaseya. Through Kaseya’s VSA management tools, they hit IT related businesses with ransomware. Ransomware is software that locks a server or data files and then demands a ransom to unlock them.

Kaseya Underwhelms in Response

True to holiday mode, the response from Kaseya has been underwhelming. They claim to be the victim. They claim only a few customers are affected. They state they had complete control of the attack within two hours. They offer a solution to turn off any server using their service. Meanwhile, because of the attack, a chain of 500 stores is closed in Sweden, paralyzed 200 US Companies, and caused thousands of network technicians to return to work to mitigate the damage. What is missing in Kaseya’s response is a sense of responsibility and scope. It is clear that Kaseya’s management is still by the barbecue and not in the office.

Is your Business Affected? Is your Business Next?

The year 2021 has been awash in cyberattack and ransomware news. If you are not now taking steps, then you should think about it. Like any disease, these attacks are like a virus, and you can take steps to avoid your company getting sick. This may save you thousands of dollars. Here are five steps you can take this month to lower your risk.

1. Recognize Phishing Email in all its Forms

Hillary Clinton would have become president if it wasn’t for a mistake made by Democratic Chairman John Podesta. The campaign was a target, and they already knew there were emails sent their way for information. John clicked twice and entered his email credentials. Within minutes, 50,000 campaign emails were in Russian hands, and Hillary’s campaign was toast. How could any high-level manager fall for a simple spoof?

The spoofs are getting pretty good. It takes an effort not to click. We all get them. What is typical now is they come in a short email, with no explanation and a simple and logical attachment. The only clue is that the sender is not known.

Sometimes the sender is known or even a known vendor. Here at CompanionLink, a quick view of our publicly available DNS reveals that we use Rackspace for business emails. You can guess we get many messages that claim to be from Rackspace. Things like “Phone message from Rackspace” (we do not get phone service from them), or Mailbox Full, or Mailbox Corrupted. My favorite is the ones that make you panic – “Your credit card has been billed for $6,533.32” or “Your bank account has been closed for fraud.”

Avoid the panic. Tell your staff to forward all odd messages without clicking. Then, if needed, log into your Email Portal or Bank to ensure there is no actual problem.

2. Train your Staff – Really – to Recognize and Mitigate Risks

We all know the drill. You have a 30-minute meeting with your Vice President to underscore the importance of security for your business and your customers. He tells the tech manager in 4 sentences and maybe sends an email to all. Your team managers respond upstream in glowing terms, and then behind your back, convey a “don’t screw up” message downstream. The line staff gets the message: “Please don’t leave food in the refrigerator more than 3 days, remember to buy a secret Santa gift, and do not take down the entire company with an insecure password.” Unfortunately, the line staff just treats it as another empty command from from the top.

The most common method of attack is phishing emails

The SolarWinds attack vector is not known. What is known, however, is that for five years, certain SolarWinds systems were available using the password Solarwinds123. While the company CEO claims they immediately locked out the password after being notified that it was publicly available, others dispute both the timeline and the extent of the password use.

This goes beyond simply choosing a good password. And it goes beyond any automated system that forces you to change passwords frequently. The best hygiene is to ensure every system you have has a different password and your passwords are stored securely. These are opposing goals but worthy of taking time to get it right.

3. Do not use Unnecessary Vendors

SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange, and Kaseya show the vulnerability when an IT vendor becomes the source of a security breach. A company whose only fault is to purchase services from a vendor is suddenly left with a million-dollar mess.

For the most part, you can identify your IT vendors by looking at the bills you pay. If you pay for a service, your company may be vulnerable to a breach of that service. Keep a close eye on payments large and small because instead of paying them, they may cost you. Be sure the service is necessary and justified. Check your emails for unpaid providers like Facebook and Google, since these notices mean that you are paying by having your information sold (advertising) rather than from your bank account.

4. Do not Trust the Cloud

People who trust the cloud are the same ones that sign agreements without reading them. Their trust is misguided. You can be sure those click-through agreements have huge loopholes for data breaches. Your best security is not to be a target. Staying small and anonymous may work better than making waves and becoming a victim.

The Microsoft Exchange attack targeted corporations that run their own private Exchange servers. The problem was not systems that were up to date but systems that were lagging in updates. These were companies that made the best effort to run secure servers but that had fallen a bit behind on maintenance, which was not surprising during the COVID era. Most companies focused on how to pay staff and not on whether to install routine security updates.

For Email that is internet-based, you are safer using IMAP protocol that does not connect to LDAP logins which may allow system-level passwords. For in-house systems, like CRM, there are still many vendors that can supply an on-premise CRM that is a fraction of the cost of a cloud system and that ensures that even if your internet is down – your customer data is safe within your corporate firewall.

5. Beware of Security Dominoes

A security domino is any system that, when breached, leads to other systems that may be breached. Password vendors Lastpass and 1Password are targets for bad players. And it would be best if you kept in mind that Yahoo and AOL have been breached multiple times, as have Facebook and Twitter. Even Apple, who sticks its finger in Microsoft’s eye on viruses, has been found guilty of sickening silence when 128 million iPhone users were hacked.

For corporate servers, ensure that your logins are qualified not just by password, 2FA, and 3 Dimensions, but ensure their IP matches a minimal set of known IPs. Do not use IP location since any VPN user easily spoofs location. You need to limit access to the specific IP network that your team uses. Primitive firewalls like Iptables can sometimes block better than sophisticated ones that allow anyone to get to a login screen. The networks your team uses are limited and known. Strength lies in simplicity.

Ending

To the management of Kaseya, your company got attacked. Start your message by taking responsibility – until known otherwise – your company was vulnerable to an attack. If you did your job right, this attack would not have happened. Start by owning that fact.

Hundreds of IT workers got their holiday ruined. Reach out. Tell them that Kaseya management is called back at the office and will stay full-time to ensure the fastest possible response.

Finally, reach out to your customers – who have been damaged – to help mitigate their future losses and explain what you are doing to make up for their current losses. You have insurance. They do not.

For everyone else – sit down on Tuesday with your monthly vendor bills, and go through one-by-one. Make sure you are protected if that vendor is breached. The year 2021 has seen an unprecedented rise in successful ransomware attacks, and the trend is not in your favor.

The Windows 11 official launch event took place on June 24, but the internet was already flooded with leaked Windows 11 ISO news on June 15. At first, the screenshots of Windows 11 appeared at Chinese site Baidu, and then the early build leak of Windows 11 ISO started revolving all over the internet. How does a tech giant like Microsoft let this massive leak happen? If Microsoft cannot handle its most important project’s privacy, how can we suppose that our data handed by them is secure?

There is no official announcement from Microsoft till now about how this leak took place. But Microsoft is issuing DMCA complaints to those sites that are distributing the leaked Windows 11 ISO. To have a closer look at how did Windows 11 leak, this blog presents some possible scenarios that could have led to this incident.

4 Possible Scenarios behind Windows 11 Leak

Different theories are rising related to Windows 11 leak. Some are considering it a marketing stunt, while others are considering it a serious security loophole. We have researched the possible scenarios that could have resulted in Windows 11 leak and come with the following 4 points:

1. Link to SolarWinds and Exchange Attacks

Microsoft has experienced significant cyber-attacks in the past couple of months. The prominent one is the SolarWinds attack that made thousands of global businesses, including government organizations and Microsoft its victim. The attackers even got access to Microsoft source code by gaining control of a few internal accounts. However, Microsoft later announced that the hackers just got access to view the code and the stolen source code had no impact on its products’ security.

After the SolarWinds attack, Microsoft experienced a second attack in 2021 on Microsoft Exchange Server. Four zero-day vulnerabilities were exploited by attackers from China. They deployed backdoors and continue to use them to conduct wide-scale malware attacks.

Microsoft is anxious to move on from these many cyberattacks. One hundred thousand corporate customers have spent significant amounts of money cleaning up the damage. Now the question arises, is the Microsoft codebase secure. Clearly, attackers managed to penetrate deep into the systems without being detected, so how can Microsoft be so sure about its recovery? Therefore, the recent cyber-attacks on Microsoft can be linked to the Windows 11 leak. There is no such clear evidence on it, but chances are there that it is a potential reason behind the leak.

2. Intentional Leak from Microsoft

There is a high possibility that Windows 11 was intentionally leaked by Microsoft to create the hype and gain the attention of users. Well, if this was Microsoft’s plan, then it seems to went perfectly. Windows 11 became a trending topic on the internet before its official release, and everyone started to explore what new offerings it is going to provide.

But why would a tech giant like Microsoft has to leak its OS when it can easily market it after the launch event? The possible answer could be the attention its competitors are gaining from users in the COVID-19 pandemic.

When Microsoft launched Windows 10, it was declared as the last Windows version. The possible reason was the growth of smartphones as the main computing devices and decreased use of PCs. The sales of computers dropped, while the sales of smartphones increased exponentially. So, that’s one possible reason why Microsoft decided to stop releasing new OS every two or three years.

But COVID-19 shifted things greatly. The demand for computers increased due to remote working and online studies. Chromebooks sales accelerated, while Apple also released its fastest-ever M1 chip for Macs. This possibly left Microsoft and its computer manufacturing partners in a miserable stage. So, that might have triggered the need for Windows 11 to bring market balance.

But since Windows 11 is mostly an improvement of UI and features-enhancement of Windows 10, so to bring solid market impact, Microsoft might have played the leaked Windows 11 ISO stunt. They have managed to gain attention on the internet, let users test out the leaked ISO, and also successfully shifted the attention hype from its competitors.

3. Insider Dishonestly

Microsoft is an ideal tech company to work in. From the diversified work environment to great salary, Microsoft employees experience both personal and professional growth. But not all employees have the same intention. Therefore, one possibility behind Windows 11 leak is that the employee(s) managed to steal the Windows 11 build version without getting caught and then sold/released it on the internet anonymously. Usually, tech companies ensure strict internal security measures, but there are always some chances of security loopholes.

4. Remote Working Vulnerabilities

COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the environment of remote working. Plenty of companies are running their businesses remotely. But remote working requires employees to have access to business-sensitive information from networks that are not that secure as the workplace networks. This is the reason that cyber-attacks are already rising since COVID-19. The chances that Windows 11 got leaked due to remote working vulnerabilities is quite rare, but still, it is one of the possibilities to consider.

Wrapping Up

Microsoft 11 leak is real, and Microsoft also agrees on it. But no one is answering how this huge mistake even occurred. One concerning element is that if Microsoft’s codebase is not secure, why should customers not consider its products may have hidden backdoors. Is every Windows and Office 365 user now vulnerable to privacy breaches, theft of investments, and ransomware? Everyone’s business is now susceptible to be shut down?

We now await to see how Microsoft responds to this leak.

Apple has now been caught keeping a major hack a secret. In the Apple Epic Trial, email threads released to the public exposed a significant fault on Apple’s security response.  As reported by Ars Technica, Epic Games presented a trail of emails in court that showed Apple higher-ups did not inform 128 million iPhone owners about the largest ever successful iOS mass hack.

Apple and Epic Fortnite court war has brought both companies into a position to openly share each one’s dirty works in public. The exposure of 128 million iOS devices data is one of the results exposed by Epic Games to the court.

Epic Games disclosed an email in the court made on September 21, 2015, where Apple managers discussed 2500 malicious apps present in the Apple store that 128 million users downloaded over 203 million times.

Apple Higher-ups Discussion Exposed

In the email provided by Epic Games, App Store VP Mathew Fischer asked Apple Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak and Apple PR people Christine Monaghan and Tom Neumayr (on September 21, 2015) that should they email the victim users about the malicious apps. He further added that if they favor sending emails, make sure about managing it perfectly. The discussion continued about the ways to notify the victim users. But the fact is Apple never notified the 128 million victims about the hack till today. No Apple representative can provide evidence that they ever sent the email to the victims.

How this Malicious Attack took Place

Cybersecurity researchers in 2015 found 40 malicious “XCodeGhost” apps. It was also the year of the iPhone 6S launch. Later, it was uncovered that there were more than 4,000 compromised apps in the App Store. It was discovered that the XCodeGhost apps had code that turned iOS devices into part of a botnet that stole data from users.

Developers behind those apps used a counterfeit version of Apple’s app development tool named XCode to create the apps. This counterfeit version termed as XCodeGhost secretly injects malicious code along with the other normal app functionalities. Afterward, the apps let iPhones report to the command-and-control server and delivery a wide set of sensitive device data, such as infected app name, network information, the app-bundle identifier, device name, unique identifier, type, etc.

Compared to Apple’s Xcode, XcodeGhost claimed to be faster to download in China. To execute the counterfeit version of the app, the developers also had to click by the warning issued by Gatekeeper (a security feature of macOS that makes it mandatory for developers to digitally sign apps). In short, developers exploit XCode, bypassed security, and extracted sensitive data.

The Itchy Silence Strategy of Apple

Apple has traditionally marketed itself as a premium firm that values the security of its products and millions of users. It has also made privacy a priority in its offerings. The decision to notify the affected people directly would have been the proper course of action. But unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Tech users already know that Google often doesn’t inform its users if they downloaded malicious Chrome extensions or Android apps, but now Apple is also on the same track.

The 2015 email was not the only security breach case of Apple. Back in 2013, Apple fellow Phil Schiller and others received an email quoting the article of Ars Technica. The article narrates the research from computer scientists that discovered a means to sneak malicious apps into Apple’s app store without being noticed by the security review procedure, which automatically identifies such apps. The email was meant to ask for suggestions on addressing the security loopholes mentioned in the article. This further showcase the vulnerabilities associated with Apple’s security defense system and how silent the company has remained in such cases.

Wrapping Up

The court war between Apple and Epic Games highlights some uncomfortable facts we were not expecting to hear. The recent emails evidence of the Apple 128 million iPhones hack, and the silence from the tech giant makes its users more suspicious. The first thought that raises through this whole situation is how often this similar silence is observed in the past. Secondly, how secure should Apple users consider themselves when they are also vulnerable to serious malicious attacks. In short, the fact is that no matter how large an organization is or how effective is its security infrastructure, there are always risks of malicious cyber-attacks.

There are many reasons why gaining a degree in cyber security could be a great fit for you. This is a challenging career with lots of potential for advancement, and you will always be learning new things. If you are already working in a similar field and want to move your career into a cyber security role, boost your existing skills or add to your qualifications, taking a cyber security degree online could help you do this. Furthermore, there is the option to study this course even if you don’t have coding experience or previous information science qualifications. Therefore you could work towards a cyber security role with little prior experience. Whatever your level of experience or qualifications, a cyber security degree that you take online could help you achieve your career aims and propel you to working in higher-level positions.

What is Cyber Security?

First things first, it is important to understand what cyber security is. In general, cyber security is the practice of protecting networks and computer systems, such as devices, software, or servers, from data theft and malicious attacks. Cyber security is essential in many industries, and you will be performing many roles and duties. There are several categories into which the types and roles of cyber security experts fall, such as:

• Operational security – This is concerned with handling and protecting data assets, and the processes and decisions that help this happen.
• End-user education – In order to reduce the risk of viruses being accidentally introduced to secure systems through human error, cyber security experts train and educate individuals in order to prevent this from happening.
• Network security – This is concerned with securing computer networks.
• Application security – Focuses on keeping software and devices free from threats.

An online cyber security degree will give you an understanding of many types of cyber security, software and techniques that are used in the industry, as well as simulated real-life experiences in order to put these newly learnt skills into practice and help get you ready for the workplace.

What is the Masters in Cybersecurity?

The masters in cybersecurity is an online cyber security degree that can be completed 100% online in under 18 months. It will give you the skills and experience to work in various cyber security roles in different industries, as well as allowing you more control over your learning environment and the pace at which you work. There are no GRE/GMAT requirements, and you can begin learning as soon as you are accepted. There are numerous modules covering a range of areas, including Foundations of Cyber Security, Ethical Hacking, Penetration Testing, Data Mining for Cyber Security, Risk Management and System Hardening and Protection, Enterprise Security and Machine Learning with Applications in Cybersecurity.

If you do not have previous coding experience or experience in computer or information science, then you can still study the online cyber security degree. There is the opportunity to complete a Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, which is a 6-month course that will provide you with the basics and background knowledge required to then undertake the online cyber security degree. You will also have the opportunity to work with industry professionals and put your new skills to the test in hands-on interactive experiences. The online cyber security degree is also partnered with the EC-Council and CISCO Academy and will help you prepare to become certified.

Is It For You?

This course is mainly aimed at systems engineers, security specialists, networkers, and software developers who would like to move their careers into a more cyber security-focused role. However, it also available to be studied by those without previous computer or information science experience and qualifications, as you can undertake the Graduate Certificate that will give you the foundational knowledge required to complete the masters.

The online cyber security degree will prepare you with the professional and personal skills you will need to succeed in these roles. There are many traits and characteristics that will help you in this field, and they include:

• Teamwork and communication

As a cyber security specialist, you will be working with individuals or organizations and may also be working across different departments. You need to be able to collaborate with others in order to achieve common goals and find the most appropriate solutions. Furthermore, good communication and presentation skills are essential, as you may be educating employees, speaking with many people who may not have the same level of understanding as you, and also conveying complex technical ideas and methods.

• Willingness to learn

The digital world is always evolving, and so are the threats that could damage a company or individual. Therefore, you need to be constantly willing to learn and absorb new information, regardless of your position or how long you have been in the role. Keeping up to date with the latest ideas and technology will keep you and those you are working for at the forefront of cyber security, using the latest tech and methods to keep them safe.

• Leadership

You will often be working as part of a team and leading one. Many cyber security experts move into leadership roles, leading teams, planning and organizing, and motivating your team in order to achieve the best results. You will also have to communicate and collaborate with your own superiors in order to deliver the best services possible.

• Problem-solving

The majority of cyber security revolves around solving problems, so these skills will have to be developed within yourself in order to do this. As well as problem-solving, you will also have to have great critical thinking and decision-making skills in order to decide on the best solutions for the situation and implement them efficiently.

There are many great skills that you will gain and develop over the course of your online cyber security degree that will help prepare you to work in a variety of interesting and important roles. You may already have many of these traits and just need some guidance as to how to apply them in the new situations your new cyber security role may present you with.

Career Outcomes of a Masters in Cybersecurity

The online cyber security degree will prepare you to work in a range of roles in different industries and give you the opportunity to explore your strengths. This can help you decide on the kind of role you would like to work in when you have graduated. A few of the potential cyber security roles include:

• Cryptographer – This role involves developing algorithms, ciphers, and security systems in order to provide privacy for individuals and organizations.
• Penetration tester – Also known as ethical hacking, this is the process of evaluating the security of a computer system using an authorized simulated cyberattack.
• Security engineer – This role focuses on designing computer systems that can handle disruptions, maintaining the systems, and planning for potential future security issues with the aim of preventing them.
• Security director – This is a leadership role that involves planning and developing security training programs for members of the security, ensuring that they are aware of the most up-to-date ideas and developments.

There are many different roles and positions within the cyber security industry, and the online cyber security degree can help you explore the options that are available to you and the areas in which you are passionate.

Choosing to Study Online or Not?

If you are ready to take the next step and apply for a course, then you might be wondering whether you should study online or not.

Think about Your Location

Your physical location can have an impact on the kinds of courses that are available to you if you plan on studying in person. If your local institutions do not offer the courses that you want or need, then you may be forced to choose something else or not further your education at all. An online cyber security degree can give you access to a high level of education from the comfort of your own home, at any time that works for you. This is particularly useful if you do not enjoy learning in a physical classroom environment, as having more control over the area you learn in can help you absorb information more efficiently.

Top Tip: When preparing yourself to work and learn from home, you should create a productive study environment and learn more about the way in which your mind works.

Costs

Being a student can be very expensive, and this can put a lot of people off studying for their dream career. From travel to accommodation, tuition fees to textbooks, the financial requirements of a degree can really add up and make it seem unviable. However, an online cyber security degree can allow you to study whilst reducing or removing some of these costs. The course is competitively priced, and you may also be eligible for financial support and student discounts. When you study online, you will not have to commute to classes daily or rent campus accommodation, which are two of the largest costs that students face. Furthermore, being able to study at home allows you to work and maintain your current job, fitting your studies around your prior commitments and continuing to earn money.

Is Online Learning Right for You?

The online cyber security degree is perfect for those who want more control and flexibility when it comes to their studies. This is because it is taught 100% online, which provides you with the opportunity to fit the course around the rest of your life. There are numerous benefits to studying online, from saving money to learning at home, and there are further benefits for furthering your education and completing a masters. Often, job applicants with masters degrees can apply for higher-level jobs, which usually come with higher salaries. A masters degree shows that you have a genuine interest and passion in the subject and are keen to continue learning more. Furthermore, a masters degree gives you access to education, resources, and industry professionals that can boost your career and that you may not get to interact with outside of an educational scenario.

What Can You Do to Prepare?

If you have decided that an online course is the right decision, there are several things you can do to help in preparation for the start of your course.

Soft skills

The online cyber security degree will arm you with plenty of technical knowledge and skills, but it will also allow you to develop your soft skills by learning online. To ensure that you have the most success with this during your course, you can always start to build on your soft skills now.

Soft skills are non-technical skills that help you stand out in the workplace and are looked upon favorably by employers. Specific soft skills are very useful for cyber security specialists, such as communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, and teamwork, but they are all useful in a range of industries and positions. The benefit of this is that you will also have practical examples to give to employers during an interview of times when you have utilized these skills.

Learning style

The online cyber security degree is designed for those with prior commitment, such as jobs or a family, who want to fit their education around this. It is a flexible and accessible course that allows you to work at your own pace and at times that suit you. If you find a physical learning environment too overwhelming or simply not have the time and availability to attend in person lectures full time, then this could be an ideal alternative. An online cyber security degree can give you a high level of education that can be adapted to your lifestyle, previous experience and schedule. However, it can be difficult to motivate yourself at times. This is why it is crucial that in preparation, you understand what type of learner you are and how to implement learning techniques that work best for you. This is really important in cyber security, as you will constantly have to learn and absorb new information in the workplace.

Starting Your New Career

An online cyber security degree is a valuable addition to your resume and can help you grow both personally and professionally. You will learn plenty of new skills, as well as expanding on existing ones, in order to make you a confident and capable individual upon graduation. Whether you are looking to move your career in a new direction or have very little experience in information science, there are ways to make the online cyber security degree work for you, preparing you for a rewarding and challenging career in a growing industry.

Identity theft is a billion-dollar industry and is rightly considered one of the biggest threats to your security and wellbeing, but if we are honest, how much do we really know about it and are you doing enough to prevent it from happening to you?

The answer to those two questions, if you are being honest, would probably be a resounding negative, but it’s time to take this threat very seriously indeed.

In 2018 over 16 million Americans were the victim of some form of identity theft, and this level of threat has steadily increased year upon year. Indeed, the cost of this breach of our personal security amassed almost $20 billion by 2018 and the signs are that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Clearly in 2021, and for the foreseeable future, our level of online activity is only growing and the use of our computers and mobile devices for key financial uses will only increase and as it does, so invariably do the ways in which criminals will seek to profit.

What is Identity Theft?

In simple terms, identity theft is the practice of an individual being the victim of some level of illegality resulting in the use of their identity to procure financial gain.

Typically this would entail an ID thief securing relevant banking details needed to raid your accounts and this can happen in a myriad of ways, most commonly being carried out virtually via access to key information online.

What’s the Worst That Can Happen?

It would be fair to say that far too many people either don’t view the threat of identity theft highly enough or feel that any such occurrence would be low-level and easily dealt with by either law enforcement or your banking provider.

Sadly, this isn’t a fair characterization of the potential pitfalls.

While in the past, and still today, ID theft can come from offline means (such as a criminal stealing your wallet or seeing you enter your pin codes at an ATM), a far more common occurrence is online.

Even entrepreneur Hari Ravichandran discovered this the hard way when he applied for a mortgage, only to find out that he had been hacked. This occurrence just underscores the seriousness and far-reaching implications of online identity theft.

Phishing

Phishing occurs when cybercriminals send you what appear to be genuine communications and links to what appear to be ‘actual’ sites/banks but turn out to be sophisticated duplicates, they then mine your account information and before you can even report what appears to be dubious, your accounts have been cleaned out.

Hacking Your Internet or Wi-Fi Signal

Another common ‘trick’ used by cybercriminals is the act of hacking into your internet supply, accessing your browsing history and looking to secure relevant saved passwords or recording your keystrokes, all with the end goal of getting hold of the key information that will complete the ID theft.

Malware and Data Breaches

The use of malware; which is essentially software designed specifically with the intention of hacking your device, sometimes wrapped up in the ‘apparent’ guise of being a genuine form of virus protection, is growing and you need to do all your can to protect yourself from such an attack.

There are a raft of legitimate virus protection services, far more than we can appropriately cover in one article, but the upshot is this, you need to be running one of these permanently on any device you use to access important information. Failing to do so is basically issuing an open invite to hackers.

Another form of access that breeds ID theft are data breaches, i.e. the act of an entire company or services data by an illicit party, and this isn’t something that you can personally do much to prevent, other than perhaps keeping yourself aware of which banks and financial services offer the most protection.

Can I Stop It from Happening to Me?

Yes you can. There are many ways to keep yourself protected and a lot of these resolve around using common sense. Whether that means keeping your access to important information to just one device (and not in public) or avoiding communication with any parties that appear even slightly dubious.

Virus Protection

When it comes to protecting yourself, start by protecting your computers and devices, making sure to use the relevant protection for the specific model/software. If you are looking for the right way to do so, try to compare between the id theft options that are covered by each service. Do the relevant research and always err on the side of caution when doing so as the threat, and repercussions of, identity theft are serious enough to warrant the need to go that extra mile to prevent such fraudulent activity..

Be Aware, Be Cautious, Be Smart

On the subject of being cautious. That should be a maxim you follow across the board. Think twice before clicking on any link sent to you, avoid accessing any service that you didn’t specifically search for yourself.

Don’t engage in communication relating to your personal details with anyone, especially when in relation to phone calls that were not solicited. Think of these details as akin to the nuclear codes. I.e. there is no need to mention them at all, to anyone, failure to adhere to such a mindset could well have explosive repercussions.

Looking to practice safe computing habits? Thinking you have become a bit casual with your cybersecurity? Getting a little paranoid about protecting your data? This piece provides you with a strong start towards ensuring your PC and phone security.

Cyber Threats Explained

It is undeniable that computers and smartphones are an integral part of your daily life. You depend on these for business, communication, and information. But of great concern is how these devices can be used for tracking you or breaking into your files. With viruses and malware becoming harder to detect, it is evident that cybersecurity has become a great threat. For instance, 2019 brought with it ransomware attacks, supply chain hacks, and escalating concerns with incidences of data breaches becoming an ever-growing threat. According to Small Business Trends, at least 43% of cyberattacks are on small businesses which costs them at least a million dollars to mitigate the ripple effects. How then do you protect yourself? What are the top 5 things you should know about PC and phone security?

Top 5 Considerations for Cybersecurity

1.  Automate Your Approach to Cybersecurity

At the beginning of any project, you want to take into account how secure the project will be. This is often done to ensure the integrity of a software for instance is maintained. An example of such an initiative is the security by design software that is incorporated at the beginning of a product’s life cycle. Notably, integration with the Cloud makes it easier for software developers to incorporate the system by design as part of a cybersecurity approach. It takes on key functions including system configurations, automation of security baselines, and the end-user audit of security controls for Amazon Web Service customers. Admittedly, this approach it timely especially in this age of IoT where tighter security is needed with the greater connection of devices. 

2.  Enable Two-Step Authentication for Your Online Accounts

Otherwise referred to as two-factor verification, this process eliminates the need for customers to verify their identity with passwords and user IDs. The two-step authentication involves providing additional information which only you know. This is often a security question, a physical characteristic like a fingerprint or a PIN number. As a protocol, it saves you money while removing the notoriously vulnerable user passwords. Besides, you can enable remote access while still protecting yourself from cyberattacks. Note that as a prerequisite for the two-step authentication, log off from any frequently visited sites as this protects you from malware and online impersonation. Using the knowledge, possession, or inherence methods called upon by this protocol restricts any unwarranted leverage that an attacker might have on you.

3.  Encrypt Your Drive

If you have ever wondered if encrypting your drive was enough to protect you, the answer is yes. A single encrypted folder is good enough to provide you with the strongest protection from any hack attempt. If you leave swap files on your computer even a motivated hacker would have a difficult time accessing your files. In a situation where someone illegally got access to any data, it would be difficult for them to read the files on any other OS. You should consider getting third-party encrypting programs especially for your OS passwords. Note that encryption also safeguards you as you connect to the internet, access your emails or fails and when you log into any accounts online. However, be aware that encrypting your drive or getting a third-party encryption software does not protect you from clicking on malicious links. Additionally, you should avoid downloading files whose source you are not sure of.

4.  Always Lock Your PC and Phone

The easiest way to protect yourself from data breaches is locking your PC and phone especially when you are away from the device. Fortunately, most OS including Windows provide you with a simple command to lock your PC. You can also include an add-on to your PC that instructs the device to lock after a predetermined amount of time. An additional security set up would be to incorporate a secure logon software whereby after a number of unsuccessful log ins, the machine would lock down for a certain amount of time.

5.  Secure Your Wi-Fi Networks

As a start, make a complicated router password that can only be changed or accessed using your admin credentials. This effectively protect your wireless network from intrusion. On the other hand, you should limit access to the password to your immediate family or work mates. Besides, change the password frequently as a WiFi password is typically ever input once.

Cyber threats compromise your data and might cost you money and damage your reputation. Obviously, following the above tips might not guarantee you will never experience a security compromise. Still, when considered, and practiced regularly, these habits should make you a bit secure in a world where PCs and phones are consistently susceptible to brute-force attacks.