Content By : Priyanjana Ghosh (1st year, History Hons)
In today's world when netizens are at their peak surfing in the vast ocean of the internet, the cyber world faces threats from viruses, hackers, and their malpractices, despite being the representation of the ultimate platform for globalization.
Here comes the role of Cybersecurity, which means protecting data, networks, programs, and other information from unauthorized or unattended access, destruction, or change.
Cybersecurity is necessary because it not only helps secure information but also safeguards our system from virus attacks. For data protection, many companies develop software like Firewall, Norton antivirus, McAfee, etc.
The threats that loom on the cyber world can be further classified into two types:-
Cybercrime – against individuals, corporates, etc.
Cyberwarfare – against a state.
CYBER CRIME
When cyberspace, i.e. computer, internet, cellphone, other technical devices, etc., is used by an individual or organized group to commit a crime, it is called cyber-crime. Cyber attackers exploit the weaknesses in the software and hardware design through the use of malware. Hacking is a common way of stabbing the defenses of protected computer systems and interfering with their functions.
For example:-
Theft and sale of corporate data.
Cyberextortion - demanding money to prevent a threatened attack.
Ransomware attacks (a type of cyber extortion)
Identity theft"
Email and internet fraud (phishing), theft of financial or card payment data
Cybercrimes may occur directly by targeting computers and spreading viruses. Other forms include a DoS attack, an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users. It suspends services of a host connected to the internet that may be temporary or permanent.
One way of committing cybercrime is through an independent Computer Network or Device. It includes Economic frauds committed to destabilizing a country's economy, attacking banking security and transaction system, extracting money through fraud, acquiring credit/debit card data, and financial theft, among others.
Hinder the operations of a website or service through data alteration, and data destruction. Others include using obscene content to humiliate girls and harm their reputation, Spreading pornography, threatening e-mail, assuming a fake identity, and virtual impersonation. Nowadays misuse of social media in creating intolerance, instigating communal violence, and inciting riots are happening a lot.
CYBER WARFARE
Future wars will not be like conventional wars which are fought on land, water, or air. When any state uses an internet-based invisible force as instrument of state policy to fight against another nation, it is called cyberwar’.
It includes hacking of vital information, important web pages, strategic controls, and intelligence.
INEXPENSIVE CYBERSECURITY MEASURE
The simplest thing you can do to increase the safety of your data is to change your passwords.
You can use a password manager tool like LastPass, Dashlane, or Sticky Password to keep track of your cyber activities. These applications help you to use unique, secure passwords for every site you need while keeping track of all of them as well.
An attacker gains easy access to your network by using your old credentials that have fallen by the wayside. Hence delete unused accounts.
Enable two-factor authentication to add some extra security to your logins which act as an extra layer of security that makes it harder for an attacker to get into your accounts.
Keep your Software up to date.
Cybercrime is a punishable offense. In India, Penalties, if found guilty, can be imprisonment of up to three years and a Rs 2 lakh fine. Section 66F: Acts of cyber terrorism. An individual convicted of a crime can face imprisonment of up to life.
Today due to high internet penetration, cybersecurity is one of the most important keys that the world needs to unlock the armor to gain protection from the dangerous cyber threats that often tend to attack a country’s security.
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