What Is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It's also known as information technology security or electronic information security. The term applies in a variety of contexts, from business to mobile computing, and can be divided into a few common categories.

Network security: This is the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware.

Application security: It focuses on keeping software and devices free of threats. A compromised application could provide access to the data it's designed to protect. Successful security begins in the design stage, well before a program or device is deployed.

Information security: It protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in storage and in transit.

Operational security: It includes the processes and decisions for handling and protecting data assets. The permissions users have when accessing a network and the procedures that determine how and where data may be stored or shared all fall under this umbrella.

End-user education: addresses the most unpredictable cyber-security factor: people. Anyone can accidentally introduce a virus to an otherwise secure system by failing to follow good security practices. Teaching users to delete suspicious email attachments, not plug in unidentified USB drives, and various other important lessons is vital for the security of any organization.

Disaster Recovery And Business: DR&BC deals with processes, monitoring, alerts and plans that help organizations prepare for keeping business-critical systems online during and after any kind of a disaster as well as resuming lost operations and systems after an incident.

Video Tutorial of Cyber Security

Types of cyber threats

The threats countered by cyber-security are three-fold:

1. Cybercrime includes single actors or groups targeting systems for financial gain or to cause disruption.

2. Cyber-attack often involves politically motivated information gathering.

3. Cyberterrorism is intended to undermine electronic systems to cause panic or fear.

So, how do malicious actors gain control of computer systems? Here are some common methods used to threaten cyber-security:
Malware

Malware means malicious software. One of the most common cyber threats, malware is software that a cybercriminal or hacker has created to disrupt or damage a legitimate user’s computer. Often spread via an unsolicited email attachment or legitimate-looking download, malware may be used by cybercriminals to make money or in politically motivated cyber-attacks.

There are a number of different types of malware, including:

• Virus: A self-replicating program that attaches itself to clean file and spreads throughout a computer system, infecting files with malicious code.
• Trojans: A type of malware that is disguised as legitimate software. Cybercriminals trick users into uploading Trojans onto their computer where they cause damage or collect data.
• Spyware: A program that secretly records what a user does, so that cybercriminals can make use of this information. For example, spyware could capture credit card details.
• Ransomware: Malware which locks down a user’s files and data, with the threat of erasing it unless a ransom is paid.
• Adware: Advertising software which can be used to spread malware.
• Botnets: Networks of malware-infected computers which cybercriminals use to perform tasks online without the user’s permission.