There is no such thing as being “too safe” when it comes to cybersecurity. The more precautions you take, the better chance you have at protecting your information and the information of those you interact with. We’ve outlined the different types of cyberthreats to help you quickly identify them and avoid falling for their traps.

Social Engineering is the process of deceiving and manipulating people into performing actions or giving away confidential information that may be used for fraudulent purposes. The most common form of social engineering is phishing. Phishing attacks usually come in the form of a fraudulent email that asks users to click a link and enter their personal information. The email will look like it’s coming from a trusted source but will usually contain typos or unusual URLs.

APTs (Advanced Persistent Threats) are those in which an unauthorized user infiltrates a network undetected and stays in the network for a long period of time. The purpose of these threats is not to damage the network but to steal information from it. These typically happen in industries with high-value information, such as national defense, manufacturing, and the finance industry.

Malware is malicious software that is specifically designed to access and/or damage a computer without the knowledge of the owner. You’re probably most familiar with this type of cyber threat and have heard of the different forms: computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses and spyware.

Cotton tips to protect yourself against cybersecurity attacks

• Install a firewall and antivirus software.
• Keep your devices updated with the newest software.
• Before entering sensitive information into a website, make sure it is a secure website.
• Don’t open attachments or links from unknown senders.
• Change passwords often and make them difficult to guess.
• Use a different password for each of your accounts.
• Never share a password and never write it down.
• Do not leave your devices, USB flash drives or external hard drives unattended.
• Regularly back-up your files.

For us at Cotton, safety is a top priority. We encourage everyone to practice safe habits in their day-to-day responsibilities, including cyber-related tasks.