What are some fascinating computer security facts?

August 2, 2022

Computer security encompasses all types of attacks, including malware, denial of service, a man in the middle, phishing, and more. The established industry requirements for computer security include confidentiality, integrity, and availability. These assaults may have a range of aims, including information theft, disruption of corporate operations, ransom demands, etc.

The following are some shocking cybersecurity facts:

• Every 39 seconds, one in three Americans is the target of a hacker attack.

• 43 percent of cyberattacks are directed at small enterprises.

• The mortgage industry is the primary target of cyberattacks against financial institutions, which are the largest targets overall.

• Firewalls and antivirus software provide inadequate protection against cyberattacks.

• It takes nearly 5 months to discover a data breach, and more than 77% of businesses lack a cyber security incident response plan.

•In 2017, phishing emails were utilized in 91% of cyberattacks.

• According to the security firm Symantec, 77 percent of all browser assaults targeted Microsoft Corporation’s Internet Explorer.

• More than 58 percent of firms have discovered unauthorized computer access attempts. A third of companies are ignorant of attempts by outsiders to get access to their computers.

Sixty percent of computer misuse is attributable to insiders. Home invasions account for 85 percent of all computer thefts. The greatest threat to intellectual property is still posed by insiders.

• Only 17% of companies with compromised systems inform law enforcement. The fear of negative press was a major barrier for firms to not report them.

MyDoom, the most expensive computer virus, cost $38.5 billion. MyDoom is currently the most expensive virus ever encountered by humanity. Approximately $38.5 billion in financial losses have been caused by this illness. The virus was produced in Russia and recognized for the first time in 2004, but its developer was never discovered. Email worms aided in the quick spread of this malware.

Because they are engaged users who spend a great deal of time on the platforms and are more likely to click on links published by their closest friends, hackers frequently target social media users. This method is known as “like-jacking” when hackers post fake “like” buttons that, when clicked, allow malware to be downloaded onto the victim’s computer.

Currently, cybercriminals prefer ransomware, which is malicious software that holds victim data hostage until a ransom is paid. A hacker may directly extort money from a victim via ransomware, rather than selling the victim’s personal information on the dark web. The threat posed by ransomware focuses on either disclosing the victims’ personal information online or denying them access to their online accounts. 

A number of variables contribute to computer security

Appropriate hygiene for user security. Avoid visiting potentially dangerous websites, keep your operating system and security software (firewall, antivirus, etc.) up-to-date, and make any use-case-specific security improvements that are essential.

Developers of software should be aware of potential security weaknesses and use this knowledge to avoid incorporating them. You could even find already-existing issues and repair them; eventually, the answers would be included in updates that people would be required to install.

In the long run, coding errors and security incidents will decline if we train developers to comprehend the programming language they use for security programs and how to apply security technologies. The future of coding is predicated on security.

Sam Fareed

Lead Instructor qualified in CISSP, CCIE, and MCT with 25 years of training experience in Toronto.