Google has been working on deploying some industry-leading Android features. The company was emphasizing this in its 2023 I/O event by announcing changes to its ecosystem for new security improvements. Google said it is delaying the broad expansion of its Find My Device function out of concern for personal safety. This is because the feature doesn’t live up to the industry standards Google and Apple have set.

“User safety and the prevention of unwanted location tracking is a top priority for Android,” said Google’s Erik Kay in a blog post today. “At this time, we’ve decided to delay the Find My Device network rollout until Apple has implemented protections for iOS,”

Google’s Commitment to Security Features Since the 2023 Google I/O Event

New Date for Update

The post Google’s ‘Find My Device’ Update Gets Delayed, as It Plays Safe appeared first on Tech Research Online.

On 20th June, WhatsApp launched two new updates, Silence Unknown Callers, and Privacy Control. Over the years, WhatsApp has introduced many features that provide a hassle-free experience. Providing end-to-end encryption to messages for privacy reasons was another feature WhatsApp implemented for users’ safety. 

Silence Unknown Callers – Say Goodbye to Spam Calls on WhatsApp 

In a recent post, Mark Zuckerberg said, “You can now automatically silence incoming calls from unknown contacts on WhatsApp for even more privacy and control”. The Silence Unknown Callers feature intends to provide you with greater privacy and control over your incoming calls. For further security, it helps to automatically screen out spam, fraud and calls from unfamiliar people. These calls will not ring on your phone, but they will appear on your Call list in case it is someone important.

Source

To enable this feature, all you have to do is follow these steps: Got to settings > Go to Privacy > Go to Calls > Enable the Silence the unknown caller feature. 

While calls from unknown numbers will be stopped immediately, WhatsApp claims that they will continue to appear in alerts and the app’s call list.  

This is helpful if you don’t have the caller saved in your contacts and want to check later to see if it was from someone you know.  

Privacy Control – Added Security for Your WhatsApp Accounts 

WhatsApp is introducing Privacy Checkup to ensure that everyone is aware of WhatsApp’s security options. This step-by-step feature walks you through critical privacy settings, allowing you to select the appropriate level of protection all in one spot.  

Source

The checkup will take you through multiple steps to highlight different privacy controls. Here, you can choose who can contact you, control your personal information, add more privacy to your chats, and add more protection to your account.  

Through this process, users can modify settings such as two-factor authentication, choose who can add them to groups, set a default duration for messages that disappear, and manage who can view their profile image.  

How to start WhatsApp’s privacy checkup  

To start your WhatsApp account’s privacy checkup feature, follow the steps below:  

• Launch WhatsApp and click the three dots in the top right corner 
• Click Settings 
• Select Privacy after selecting Account 
• Select “Start Checkup” and adhere to the on-screen instructions 

Conclusion  

These features, intends to provide enhanced WhatsApp security for users like you. The New silence feature aims to notify you only when a person from your contact list calls you. Also, by using the privacy feature it will help the user in securing personal information, calls, and messaging data. Overall, the update aims to Safeguard user security and protect them from spam calls. 

The post WhatsApp Introduces New Features: Silence Incoming Unknown Calls and More appeared first on Tech Research Online.

• IoT security is an important issue that requires a proactive approach to protect connected devices from hackers.
• There are many ways to better arm yourself against hackers and they include: using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping devices and software up to date, and many more.
• Education is essential to understanding the risks of cyber-attacks and taking proactive steps to protect yourself.
• Simple habits like using strong passwords and keeping devices up to date can go a long way toward protecting your devices from hackers

The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand and become an increasingly integral part of our daily lives. These days, It’s more important than ever to ensure that we practice well-implemented IoT Security. Hackers constantly find new ways to infiltrate and exploit IoT devices, putting sensitive information and personal privacy at risk.

Hence, there is a need to protect internet-connected devices from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access by implementing IoT security. These devices, also known as IoT devices, include smart thermostats, security cameras, and smart appliances.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to IoT security, covering the most effective ways to protect your connected devices from possible threats. From understanding the common vulnerabilities of IoT devices to introducing strong passwords and transitioning to secure networks. We’ll cover key some IoT device security concepts and effective IoT security solutions.

What is IoT Security and What are The Threats It Protects Us from?

IoT security refers to the measures taken to protect internet-connected devices from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access. These include smart thermostats, security cameras, and smart appliances. These devices, which make up the Internet of Things (IoT), are susceptible to a large range of cyber threats such as malware attacks.

Many of these devices tend to cut corners to reduce costs, which leads to potential vulnerabilities. Naturally, this implies that the manufacturers of these devices have not taken enough steps to protect against IoT threats. As a result, these devices can be easily hack and used to gain access to networks and personal information.

In addition to traditional cyber threats, IoT devices also pose a physical security risk. Hackers can break into connected security cameras and use them to monitor unauthorized areas. Similarly, a smart lock could be hacked and used to gain unauthorized access to a building.

The risks of IoT security extend beyond individual devices and can also impact entire networks. For example, someone could intrude into a network of connected devices as a platform for a coordinated attack. This can cause widespread disruptions, outages, and serious damage to infrastructure.

(Source: Check Point)

What Are The 5 Ways To Protect Your Connected Devices From Hackers?

There are many different ways to add an extra layer of security against hackers for your IoT devices. Each way varies in effectiveness and cost. However, we have compiled the 5 that are most convenient to implement and boost your IoT security with actionable steps:

1. Avoid weak passwords
2. Make use of Two-Factor Authentication (2-FA)
3. Ensure that you always have the latest software updates installed
4. Avoid using unfamiliar networks
5. Use firewalls and antivirus software

We will look at each of these IoT device security concepts and effective IoT security solutions in detail. See how IoT security can be implemented in your connected devices to protect yourself from any cyber-attacks.

1. Avoid weak passwords

To start, one of the most effective ways to start working towards a secure IoT ecosystem is to protect your connected devices from hackers. This can be through using strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. As a general guide, these passwords should be at least 8 characters long and have a mix of special characters.

This goes without saying, but avoid using common words or phrases as your passwords. These include “password123” or “qwerty,” as these are obviously accessible to hackers and do not take long for them to decrypt. Instead, consider using a password manager as a means to upgrade your password security.

2. Make use of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

You can take actionable steps to protect your accounts by enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all of your accounts. This buffers your IoT device security, by securing your devices across multiple platforms.

This increases your protection for your accounts against hackers, even if they are able to guess or steal your password. For example, let’s say that a hacker tries to log into your online banking account using your password. With 2FA enabled, the hacker would also need to have access to your phone or email in order to complete the login process.

In short, 2FA can provide an important layer of protection for your accounts. To enable 2FA, simply follow the instructions provided by your device or service, most of which are extremely user-friendly and easy to follow. Many popular websites and apps, such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter, offer 2FA as an option.

3. Ensure that you always have the latest software updates installed

One way to boost your IoT security is surprisingly simple and often overlooked. It’s essential to keep your connected devices up to date with the latest patches and updates. These updates usually include fixes for vulnerabilities and other security improvements, so installing them as soon as they are available is important.

For example, even in the home setting, let’s say that you own a smart thermostat that has a security vulnerability that allows hackers to gain access to your home network. If the manufacturer releases an update that fixes this vulnerability, it’s important to install the update as soon as possible to protect your device and your network.

To make this process easier, consider enabling automatic updates for your devices and software. This is a feature that is widely adopted by many products already. This way, you can be sure that your devices and software are always up-to-date and secure.

4. Avoid using unfamiliar networks

When using unfamiliar networks, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots, it’s important to be cautious and take steps to protect your data. Hackers can easily set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots that are designed to steal your personal information and login credentials. It is more common than you would think.

One way to safeguard your information while using public Wi-Fi is with a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. Essentially, a VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data. Additionally, it is best practice to refrain from accessing sensitive information or conducting financial transactions on public networks.

For example, it’s probably not a good idea to log into your online banking account or enter your credit card information while connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot. Unless you really have to process sensitive information on a foreign network, consider using a personal hotspot or a secure, private network whenever possible.

5. Use firewalls and antivirus software

Firewalls and antivirus software are essential tools for protecting your devices and networks from cyber threats.

A firewall is a piece of software that you have most probably seen before on your devices. It is a system that regulates the flow of network traffic based on predefined security protocols. It can also assist in blocking unapproved access to your network and can be an effective way of preventing unauthorized individuals, such as hackers, from accessing your devices.

Antivirus software, on the other hand, is designed to detect and remove malware and other malicious software from your devices. As a widely used software, its popularity has dropped in recent times. However, this can help to safeguard your devices from attacks so it is still highly recommended to have one for your device ecosystem.

To ensure that your devices are protected, it’s important to install and enable both of these programs and keep them up to date. Many operating systems, such as Windows and macOS, include built-in firewalls and antivirus software. You may already have these tools installed on your devices. If not, there are many excellent third-party options available. Just be sure to do your research and choose a reputable program.

How To Better Arm Yourself Against Hackers

A great way to boost your IoT devices’ security from hackers is to educate yourself about the risks and take proactive steps to arm yourself against them. Here are a few ways to get started.

Firstly, a great way to get started is to stay informed about the latest threats and vulnerabilities. This will help you better understand the risks you face and the steps to protect yourself. Consider following security-focused blogs and news outlets, or subscribing to newsletters that cover the latest developments in the field.

Secondly, if you are serious about boosting your security knowledge and skills, consider taking a course or earning a certification in cybersecurity or IoT security. There are many online and in-person options available and we would recommend reading some reviews to see which best suits your needs. This can be a great way to learn from experts and gain hands-on experience with real-world scenarios.

Finally, consider joining online communities or forums where you can connect with others who are interested in IoT security. These groups can provide a wealth of knowledge and support as you learn more about how to protect your devices.

By educating yourself and taking proactive steps to arm yourself against hackers, you will be able to easily identify cyber threats and know the right courses of action to take against them.

Wrapping Up and Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s clear that IoT security is an important and complex issue that requires a proactive approach to protect your devices and data from cyber threats.

Whether you’re a home user or a business owner, there are many steps you can take to better arm yourself against hackers, including using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping your devices and software up to date.

Furthermore, by educating yourself about the risks and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can help to keep your devices and networks safe and secure.

Don’t let hackers get the upper hand – take control of your security today and safeguard your connected devices for the future.

The post A Guide to IoT Security: Protecting Your Connected Devices from Hackers appeared first on Tech Research Online.

In the year 2020, we have seen many changes taking place all over the world with the pandemic. For instance, schools have shifted online, businesses are switching to remote work, events happening online, and so much more.    

But, along with this, we have seen a rise in cyberattacks and breaches. Here are some stats which will give you a clearer understanding of the threat we face today:    

• Damage related to cybercrime is projected to hit $6 trillion annually by 2021. (Cybersecurity Ventures)    
• Worldwide spending on cybersecurity is going to reach $133.7 billion in 2022. (Gartner)   
• 68% of business leaders feel their cybersecurity risks are increasing. (Accenture)   
• Data breaches exposed 4.1 billion records in the first half of 2019. (RiskBased)   
• The average cost of a data breach is $3.92 million as of 2019. (Security Intelligence)   
• 71% of breaches were financially motivated and 25% were motivated by espionage. (Verizon)   
• Security breaches have increased by 11% since 2018 and 67% since 2014. (Ponemon Institute)   
• Hackers attack every 39 seconds, on average 2,244 times a day. (University of Maryland)   
• 43% of breach victims were small and medium businesses. (Verizon)   
• 15% of breaches involved Healthcare organizations, 10% in the financial industry, and 16% in the Public Sector. (Verizon)   

With the rising risk, companies should be wary of the threats they face. To prepare themselves for such mishaps they should follow life-saving cyber hygiene practices.   

This is especially important for organizations that are involved in remote work because they need to secure remote work access.   

So, in this blog post, we going to introduce you step by step to the world of cybersecurity hygiene. Then we will give you an overview of the precautions you should take to avoid an attack.   

What is Cybersecurity Hygiene?   

Cyber hygiene refers to the practices of computer users to maintain a health system by improving its online security.    

Cyber hygiene is crucial and should be regularly conducted to ward off common threats.   

The organization often adopts these practices as a part of the routine to ensure the safety of the information that could be stolen or corrupted.   

The European Union’s Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) says “cyber hygiene should be viewed in the same manner as personal hygiene and, once properly integrated into an organization will be simple daily routines, good behaviors, and occasional checkups to make sure the organization’s online health is in optimum condition.”   

What are the Benefits of Cyber Hygiene Practices?   

Maintenance and security are the two distinct benefits of having a routine cyber hygiene procedure in place for your computers and other software.   

Maintenance:

It is important for computers and other software as it helps them run at peak efficiency. Every year, files become fragmented and programs become outdated which in turn increasing the risk of vulnerabilities. Maintenance usually spots such issues early and prevents serious damage. Well-maintained is less likely to be vulnerable.   

Security:

It is perhaps the primary reason to incorporate a cyber hygiene routine. While we cannot predict threats, we can still prepare and prevent them    

What are the Cyber Hygiene Practices for Secure Remote Work?   

Real-time Inventory:   

For many organizations, maintaining an up-to-date real-time inventory system is very crucial. The reason behind this is that the devices in an enterprise changes constantly, physical machines migrating to virtual, and IT constantly installing and updating software. Here, inaccurate inventory will make managing compliance and cyber-risk as you will not be able to improve what you can’t measure. Hence, it is important to maintain a real-time accurate inventory.   

VPN Accessibility:   

There is an organization with large remote workforces that also have a robust VPN solution. It is crucial for employees who are constantly accessing your private resources. However, for organizations will no infrastructure for work from home, mobilizing to VPN can be hard.    

Hence, such an organization should prioritize access for your senior staff since if their assets are compromised, it will have a much greater impact. Once you’ve done this for all the senior staff ensure visibility into all VPN connections.   

Comprehensive Visibility:

A handful of vulnerable systems usually start a breach on the extended perimeter. This might happen because of phishing, weak password, or unpatched vulnerability. Extended your perimeter as it’s more vulnerable with remote work on the rise.   

Monitor Password Strength:

In the cases of weak, default, and reused passwords are often stored and/or transferred in the clear. But companies should focus more on monitoring the strength of the password and avoid reusing it.    

Endpoint Protection:

As we have discussed earlier, the number of malicious websites and phishing scams is skyrocketing. Which makes it all the more important to avoid your employees falling victim to these scams.   

Organizations can do this by rolling out strong controls for endpoint protection. However, if you have already implemented endpoint protection, you should make sure to validate that endpoint visibility.   

Patching for Business-Critical Assets:

In most organizations, when a high severity vulnerability is being addressed, all assets are treated equally. But, in the case of new vulnerabilities, business-critical must be addressed first. For instance, patching the CFO’s laptop is more crucial than patching the laptop of any other employee.   

Implement Training Measures:

Organizations will have an easy time predicting breaches if they monitor web traffic and hygiene among users. Because once identified, users can be given appropriate high-risk training or tighter endpoint controls.   

Owners of risk should also be identified and educated on correct security measures.   

Multi-Factor Authentication:   

Identifying a user who is trying to access enterprise resources robustly is important. For this, it is crucial to establish a strong user identity. This can be done by establishing an enterprise Identity and Access Management (IAM) combined with a password manager.    

This will provide you with robust multi-factor authentication and policy control and enable good password hygiene.    

Strong Device and Application Identity:   

Strong device identity can be established with the help of client-side certificates and strong application identity.    

Track Assets that Would Impact Breaches:   

It is extremely important to maintain the visibility of these assets by building on them. This will allow you to correctly track them so that you are aware of vulnerabilities affecting these assets when they arise.   

Conclusion:   

In this blog post, we have covered life-saving cyber hygiene practices to make your remote work secure in 2021.  Try them out and do let us what helped you the most. you can also read our blog Top 10 Cyber Security Tools To Look Out For In 2022  

Author Bio:

Shreeya Chourasia is an experienced B2B marketing/tech content writer, who is diligently committed for growing your online presence. Her writing doesn’t merely direct the audience to take action, rather it explains how to take action for promising outcomes.

The post Cyber Hygiene Practices for Secure Remote Work Access 2021    appeared first on Tech Research Online.

We saw a huge lock-down around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. And as the world stopped, we continued to stay online for more and more hours.  

For instance, Statista says that the coronavirus outbreak increased internet consumption across the globe, with an increase in social media usage by 21%, an increase in news consumption by 36%, and audiobook listening by 14%. 

During these hard times, one of our major aid was a video calling platform called ZOOM. 

However, there is one thing we all admit which is that the rapid growth of its platform has left users without much need for security and privacy. 

Zoom bombing has become a popular concept among users. According to Wikipedia- It refers to the unwanted, disruptive intrusion, generally by Internet trolls, into a video-conference call. 

So, in this blog post, we are going to share with you the top 5 Zoom security & privacy tips for 2021.  

#1. Password protect your Meeting and Share your Password Securely  

Zoom bombing relies the most on meetings that are not password protected and those whose meeting numbers and passwords have been shared publicly. So, use a password for all your meetings and share them securely.

Other than that, you should not share data such as personal IDs, and pictures of meetings publicly.  

#2. Use Waiting Rooms 

Another way to secure your Zoom is by using the waiting room and monitoring people who enter your meeting. The waiting room will allow you to screen everyone to ensure no one uninvited can get in.

Once you enable this feature you will have two options: 

• Send all participants to the virtual waiting area and admit them individually or all at once. 
• Allow only guest participants to skip to the waiting room and directly join the meeting. But, sending other people who have not signed in/part into the virtual waiting area. 

Also Read: What Happened To Skype | How Did Zoom Surpassed Skype

#3. Control Screen Sharing and Chat Room 

To get more control of your zoom meeting, take better control of features like screen sharing and chat room. This will give you more control over what you participate in.

Source: Zoom

For those of you who want to host a presentation or other meeting, you can control both screen sharing and chat access from the Security icon. This can be a better option if you don’t want to disable it altogether. This will allow interaction as you need. 

#4. Lock Your Meeting Room 

Once all of your participants have entered the meeting room you can prevent further participants from entering by locking your meeting room.

Source: Zoom

Just, go to the navigation sidebar < Participants < More < Lock Meeting. 

#5. Keep Your App Updated  

Similar to other applications and websites, Zoom also suffers from security vulnerabilities. However, through the months, Zoom’s persistent efforts have proven that these flaws can be fixed.  

For example, Zoom fixed two problems – first, allowed attackers to take over an Apple Mac’s microphone or camera, and another problem with Windows that could let a hacker steal logins.  

Hence, it becomes all the more important for you to keep the installed version of the Zoom mobile or desktop app updated. This will ensure that once the company fixes these issues, your risk is lowered. 

Conclusion:

With the lockdown, we are spending more and more time alone. Self-isolation can be boring and lonely. However, imagine all this happening before broadband. Nightmare huh! 

Well, today, videoconferencing has given us the ability to work and communicate remotely. We’re so glad that such apps as Zoom exist. Today, we are using Zoom for so much and its use will only increase in the future.  

Though they still pose some issues, now with the top 5 Zoom security & privacy tips, you will know the right way to use them. 

Author Bio:

The post Top 5 Zoom Security & Privacy Tips for 2021 appeared first on Tech Research Online.

Because, if your app isn’t safe to use, all your other efforts will be in vain.

This means that app security should be a top priority for you during the phase of app development. It is supposed to ensure that the users’ data is protected and no hackers can steal and misuse it. So, if you want to create the ultimate app security strategy for all your future apps, but aren’t sure how- just keep reading. Below, you’ll find 7 ultimate steps you should follow to create a killer app security strategy.

Let’s take it to step by step.

1. Train Your Team

When you look at the process of developing an app, and all the people involved in it, it’s clear that you’re not in this alone. And, if you’re the only one concerned about app security it can’t be a success.

This is why you need to start building your app security by training your team to make it a priority. You can do it any way you like:

• make it a part of your company policy
• hold team meetings explaining the importance of security
• send team members to seminars, webinars, and workshops

Constantly reinforce the idea of the importance of app security and make sure it becomes a strong part of the team or even company culture.

In case you need help writing a clear company policy, you can use these college paper writing service. Plus tools such as Thesaurus or Canva can help you with the style of writing and the design.

2. Impose Strong Authentication

Weak passwords and easy to crack authentication is a major issue that most users don’t seem to care about. But, it leads to data breaches and makes it easy for hackers to do their job.

That’s why you need to impose strong authentication levels for your app users:

• the password has to be alphanumeric
• it has to have at least one sign
• it has to have at least one capital letter
• there are security questions that need to be answered

And, if your app deals with super-important data, you can even include biometric passwords such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or retinal scanning.

3. Collect Minimal Data

Data collection is one of the possibly vulnerable spots of your app. If the app is collecting users’ data to be able to work properly, then this data is potentially endangered.

This is why you have to restrict data collection. Here’s what that means:

• only collect the data you need for the app to work
• do not ask for any additional information

The less you know, the less responsibility for users’ data you have.

So, if your app is for an e-commerce business, don’t ask your users for their contacts list or access to their gallery.

4. Utilize Data Encryption

It should go without saying that data encryption is one of the best ways to protect your data. When it comes to app security, it’s an absolute must.

Data encryption is the process in which your code is turned into a bunch of letters and impossible to read signs. And, only the parties who have the key can access and understand this code.

This means that the hackers might find a way to get to your code, but they still won’t be able to read it.

Therefore, make sure to encrypt all data to not jeopardize data security.

5. Employ Secure Code Practices

The app code is another major security issue that you need to take care of unless you want hackers to reach your users’ data. It’s a potentially vulnerable spot that you have to make stronger and harder to access.

Therefore, you should write a more secure code. The best way to do it is to employ all the secure code writing practices you know of.

Those include:

• Code signing
• Code minification
• Code hardening

The more secure your code is, the harder it will be for the hackers to attack it and get to it. It’s a significant addition to your app security strategy.

6. Test App Security

 It can often happen that you think you have it all figured out. Your team seems to have done a great job. And it all looks great on paper.

But, you can never be sure about the success of your app security strategy unless you test it.

Testing your app security implies:

• performing a series of attacks to try and steal the data
• looking into any possible loophole or entrance to the app’s data storage
• finding any way possible to jeopardize app security

Once you perform the necessary tests, you can say with certainty that the app is safe to use. But, don’t forget to retest as time goes by since there will be new types of attacks in the future.

Keep testing, and keep updating your app security strategy. This way, you’ll make sure you’re always one step ahead of potential problems and security breaches.

7. Limit Access

 Finally, make sure that no team member has full access to all the data and app information you’re storing. Instead, give everyone access only to the information they need to do their job.

This way, you’re protecting app data in the case that:

• hackers use one team member’s credentials
• someone loses their laptop
• someone neglects the security protocols

This means that a UX designer has nothing to do with the information necessary for the marketing team to have, or vice versa. They should only have access to the information and data they truly need to do their jobs and tasks properly.

Teach them how to use the cybersecurity tools but don’t trust them with full access to your users’ information. This will be the final but significant addition to your app security strategy.

Conclusion

Your app security is an extremely important segment of your overall app development strategy. Creating a safe app means creating an app your users will love using. It will also show you are professional and trustworthy.

Use the steps provided above to build a strong app security strategy and apply it to all your future app development projects.

Author Bio:

Dorian Martin is a freelance writing expert interested in digital marketing and copywriting for businesses. An educational writer by training, he is helping blogs with content strategies. Thanks to the experience in SEO, Dorian often works on content planning and auditing projects.

The post 7 Steps to Write the Ultimate App Security Strategy appeared first on Tech Research Online.

In this blog, I will show you how pandemic increases cybersecurity concerns around the world.  

Without doubting, COVID-19 changed everything that we do, and mainly it affects online businesses around the world.  

Many companies shifted from on-site to remote work, which pushed hackers to target remote networks. Since work from home took place; therefore, cybercriminals started throwing the latest malware and viruses to disrupt home networks.  

Home networks are way less secured than office networks, and therefore, various cyber-attacks occurred during the pandemic.  

Organizational networks are robust because they use proper cybersecurity tools to defend the system. Whereas, home networks are an easy target for cybercriminals because they lack security; hence, cybercriminals can easily steal confidential business data from home networks.  

How hackers captured crucial data during work from home?

As I mentioned earlier, home networks are unsecured, and therefore, hackers attempted to steal information by all means. Due to the frequent hacking approaches, the cybersecurity concerns during pandemic also increased to a new level. 

Since pandemic was an unprecedented situation for the entire world, governments and countries across the world had no clue how to face it, and a confused environment created naturally.  

Hackers make the most out of this situation and create fake, spam websites related to the COVID-19 details.

Many users thought these websites are real and authentic, but in reality, these sites were malicious. Many websites asked users for details like name, number, and age.  Some websites contained malware; these sites captured data and also stolen sensitive user data.  

Not only that, hackers around the world used spam tricks to capture data. Here I am defining those approaches used by the hackers to gather information:

• Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are an old but useful approach for hackers. In a phishing attack, a hacker impersonates as a legitimate authority and ask employees to share details. Employees got trapped and send out details, thinking that their official contact is asking for that. In this way, a hacker easily gets access to business and user data.

• Spread of Malware 

Besides increased phishing and malware attacks, the spread of malware was also a great concern during the pandemic. COVID-19 was the golden opportunity for hackers to spread as much malware as they want. Cybercriminals designed malicious links and presented those links as something important related to the COVID-19 stats.  Users around the world clicked those links to get the updates and ended up receiving malware.  

• Social Engineering

Social engineering is one of the most common spam tricks based on human interaction. In this trick, hackers come off as an authentic source and ask users to share personal information. Users believe hackers and share intended information.  

How Companies Stopped Hackers from Penetrating into Sensitive Network?  

Pandemic has raised cyberattacks much more than ever before. Online businesses were in trouble; therefore, companies had to take IT support to combat all the scams.  

First, a lot of businesses started to launch new work from policies to keep things under control. 

Employees had to follow those policies, including not clicking unknown links. Many organizations also restricted their network access only for limited IT professionals. Luckily, these new policies helped corporations to control cyberattacks to a certain extent.  

After introducing work from home policies, companies also follow further rules to stop hackers from infiltrating networks. Here are a few more protective measures are taken by the corporations: 

• Employee online learning  

Online learning has never been implemented to a great extent before a pandemic. However, the COVID-19 situation encouraged online learning a lot. Many companies started online sessions to teach their employees how to continue work from home safely. With the help of online sessions, companies taught their workers about the latest scams and how not to fall victim to that. In this way, employees better understood how to protect their devices and data by not clicking and checking unknown websites using the home network.

• Deployment of VPNs 

During the pandemic, companies instructed their employees to deploy VPN for home network security. VPNs are great for encrypting traffic, and due to its strong encryption, no hacker can intervene in online traffic. It means that all your data remains safe while traveling online. Moreover, many workers installed VPN in routers to get network-wide protection. You can use a VPN router to keep all IoT devices under VPN protection.

The best thing about VPN technology is its encryption. The encryption encodes online data. If your data happens to get intercepted, the information remains unreadable without the decryption code. Hence, VPN also played a significant role in securing data during the pandemic.  

• Access Control  

As I mentioned earlier, access control was one of the most significant measures adopted by most companies. Companies locked their network access for everyone, even for their own employees. Only a few IT individuals were allowed to access it. This approach dropped cyberattacks drastically and stopped hackers from accessing networks and throwing viruses into that.  

• Installing Antivirus Software  

This pandemic, cyberattacks have been continuously increased, which pushed businesses to install the most updated antivirus software.  

Antivirus software helps companies understand upcoming threats so IT managers can take better preventives to combat forecasted threats.  

Moreover, antivirus programs are great to protect your system from viruses and malware. It also notifies you about all the incoming viruses.  

Conclusion  

Shifting from physical to remote work was an unprecedented move. We never saw work from home on such a massive scale. However, it was a great learning opportunity for businesses around the world. On the other hand, work from home approach left various security holes for disruption. The good thing is that companies have realized the importance of cybersecurity.  Global businesses have seen massive security concerns that have been grown during COVID-19. Luckily, organizations used cybersecurity tools to curb security breaches better, but new technologies are still needed to keep the space safe and secure.  

Author Bio 

Sundas Noor is a technical writer who loves to cover online security insights and create reviews for users to buy VPN software and IoT devices. She’s contributed five years of experience in technical writing and sharing security how-to guides with readers worldwide. 

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