I was scrolling through my Twitter account one day when I received a message from a follower. I opened the message and saw a link inviting me to join something. I clicked on the link and I was led to an external web page to view who was stalking me. I was excited as I thought it was one of those Twitter plugins used on the app, this link required my username and password, and in my excitement to check out who was stalking me and proceeded to input these details, little did I know I was setting myself up for a cyber-attack.
After inputting my information, I expected to find information about who was on my profile, only to get a popup form requiring me to register my email. It looked like the form Google allows users to register on to access their accounts but on looking closely it wasn’t it. It was at this point it became clear to me that I was in the middle of a cyber-attack. After that, I received different OTP possibly from hackers trying to gain illegal access to my account.
The above scenario or something similar has probably happened to you or someone you know. The sad thing is as digitized as our society has become, many people are still largely unaware of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and digital devices from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It is a major concern for both individuals and organizations. With the increasing number of cyber threats and attacks, it has become more important than ever to promote cybersecurity awareness.
Cybersecurity awareness refers to the knowledge, attitude, and behaviors required to protect one’s digital devices, data, and networks from cyber threats. This includes understanding the potential risks associated with the use of digital technologies, recognizing the signs of a cyber-attack, and taking necessary measures to prevent or mitigate the impact of such attacks. Cyber threats such as phishing, ransomware, malware, and social engineering attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are causing significant financial and reputational damage to individuals and organizations.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime damages are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. In addition to financial losses, cyber-attacks can result in the theft of personal and sensitive information and loss of productivity. Promoting cybersecurity awareness is critical to mitigating the impact of these attacks. There are several steps that individuals and organizations can take to enhance cybersecurity awareness. These include:
- Education and Training: Regular training and education programs can help individuals and employees understand the latest cyber threats, how to identify them, and how to respond to them.
- Strong Passwords: Passwords are the first line of defense against cyber-attacks. Therefore, individuals should use strong, unique passwords for each account and change them regularly.
- Two-factor Authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to accounts by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before gaining access. This can help prevent unauthorized access to accounts.
- Keep Software up to Date: Software updates often contain security patches that address vulnerabilities. Therefore, individuals should ensure that their devices and software are up to date.
- Be Wary of Suspicious Emails or Text Messages: Phishing emails and text messages are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to steal personal and sensitive information. Therefore, individuals should be wary of suspicious emails and messages. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- Backup Data Regularly: Regularly backing up data can help individuals and organizations recover quickly in the event of a cyber-attack.
By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, individuals and organizations can reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and mitigate the impact of any attacks that do occur. It is important for everyone to stay informed, stay vigilant, and take necessary steps to protect their digital devices, data, and networks.
For more information on our local and international cybersecurity training programs, please call us at +234 708 672 6000.
Esther Maduabuchi.