Cybersecurity Guides

Cybersecurity is the set of technical and organizational measures that protect computers, servers, networks, mobile devices and data from unauthorized access, attacks and damage. Its goal is to keep information confidential, intact and available when it is needed. Security software and firewalls are part of it, but so are update management, access permissions, backups, staff awareness and an incident response plan that sets out what to do after an attack.

The most common types of cyber attacks are phishing, ransomware, other malware such as viruses, trojans and worms, DDoS attacks, password attacks and the exploitation of known vulnerabilities in outdated software. Web applications are also frequent targets of code-level flaws such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). Many attacks target people rather than technology: in social engineering, an attacker uses a fake email or phone call to get someone to hand over a password or payment details.

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts the files on a computer or server so they cannot be opened, then demands a ransom to unlock them. Some attackers also copy the data first and threaten to publish it if the ransom is not paid. It usually spreads through phishing emails, compromised remote access accounts or unpatched software. The best protection is backups kept off the network and tested by restoring them regularly; paying the ransom does not guarantee the data will come back.

Phishing is a scam in which an attacker poses as a trusted source, such as a bank, a supplier or a company executive, to get someone to share a password or card details, open a malicious file or send money. It usually comes by email, but SMS and phone versions exist too. Urgent language, small differences in the sender's address and unexpected payment requests are typical signs. Verifying unusual requests through another channel and using two-factor authentication lower the risk.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a login method that asks for a second proof of identity in addition to the password. The second step is usually a one-time code sent by SMS, a code from an authenticator app or a physical security key, so a stolen password alone is not enough to get into the account. Email, admin panel, accounting and cloud accounts should be the first to get it, and an authenticator app or security key is safer than SMS codes.

Penetration testing (pen testing) is an authorized, controlled attack on a system that uses the same methods a real attacker would to find security weaknesses. Websites, mobile apps, APIs and company networks can all be tested. Unlike an automated vulnerability scan, a specialist actually tries to exploit the flaws found to confirm whether they are real. The result is a report that ranks the findings by severity and recommends fixes; repeating the test after major changes is good practice.