Cyber Security Services

Why You Need Cyber Security

In an ideal world, people would be able to surf the Internet, and exchange messages via email and social media, without the threat of their machines being infected with malware, or having their personal / business data compromised.

However, it is a sad fact that in order to be able to use the World Wide Web safely, you need to employ the use of various Cyber Security Tools, which can defend against attacks from the Internet.

If you are running a business, you have a duty to ensure that your IT systems are suitably protected, using appropriate IT Security, as failure to do so could have dire consequences. Without the right IT security, business computer networks and servers can be infiltrated, leading to data being stolen, often referred to as a data breach.

IT Results have many years of experience providing Cyber Security Services, alongside more traditional IT Security solutions, to business and residential users across London and the South East.

Our primary aim is to protect your IT systems from coming under attack. We can employ various software solutions and techniques, to minimise the risks of unauthorised persons gaining access to your systems.

How Are IT Systems Compromised?

Cyber criminals spend much of their time trying to break into corporate networks, in order to steal data which they can sell on the dark web.

They also prey on individuals who are not so 'tech-savy', often luring them into giving up login details to mainstream websites such as Amazon and eBay, which can then be used to commit fraud.

Consequently, there are a number of ways that these individuals will try to gain access to residential and business systems:

Denial of Service

A Denial of Service or (DoS) attack is the deliberate targeting of a company's internet resources, in order to take them off line.

The way this is achieved, is by flooding a server, firewall, or router, with so much network traffic that it becomes overwhelmed, making it inaccessible.

Phishing Emails

Phishing emails are designed to obtain personal data from unsuspecting victims, for fraudulent purposes.

Users are lured to fake versions of authentic websites, where they are duped into entering login / personal details. A cyber criminal now has information which can be used to commit fraud.

Network Security

Company networks are open to attack and subsequent infiltration, if they are not secured correctly.

For example, servers can be attacked externally by cyber criminals using techniques such as Denial of Service, to gain access to internal systems.

Email Attachments

Cyber criminals send out thousands of spam messages every day, containing attachments infected with malware.

When these type of attachments are opened, without a suitable virus checker, then a machine will inevitably become infected, providing a possible backdoor into a company network.

Rogue Websites

There are numerous web sites that are infested with malware, ready and waiting to infect unsuspecting users' machines.

File sharing sites are good examples, hosting illegal film, music and software files that often contain nasty viruses, which can infect unprotected machines.

Weak Passwords

One of the easiest ways for computer systems to become compromised, is due to poor password security.

Users often create passwords that are insufficiently complex, so that they are easy to remember, such as 12345. However, any good hacker will be able to break these passwords in minutes.

Poor Wi-Fi Security

Many people forget that Wireless Access Points can give users access to an internal company network.

Hence, if they are incorrectly configured with no, or poor security, then it will make it easier for an external entity to gain entry to the internal network and servers.

Removable Storage

USB and portable hard drives are used to transfer data files between computer systems.

If the files contained on the drives contain viruses, they could end up infecting an end-user's machine, giving a backdoor entry to the computer network.

Protecting Against Cyber Threats

Computer systems and networks are usually infiltrated as a result of lax IT security, and not having the right tools to fend off cyber attacks.

Cyber criminals also rely on people's naivity when it comes to opening suspicious emails and clicking on website links that they shouldn't. Hence, once a machine has been compromised, the consequences can be catastrophic, including having bank accounts accessed, and money stolen.

However, there are various IT security procedures and tools that we can put in place, to help minimise the risk of your systems becoming compromised:

Endpoint Security

Companies will have multiple devices or 'endpoints' that could be open to cyber attacks, in the form of mobile phones, tablets, PC's, laptops and servers.

The best way to defend against malicious attacks, is to implement Endpoint Security solutions from companies such as Symantec, which include high-grade anti-virus protection and software firewalls.

Spam Filtering Solutions

Cyber criminals send out thousands of phishing emails each day, designed to help infiltrate computer systems.

Spam filters are the best way to prevent such messages reaching end-users. They can be programmed to intercept emails based on a number of criteria, including the type of content in a message and whether the sender is on a blacklist.

Backup Solutions

It is of paramount importance that company data is backed up, to protect against cyber attacks, fires, and general hardware failures.

There are a number of backup solutions available that will allow users to backup their data to local media such as tape drives, as well to cloud-based storage. A good example is MSP360 Backup.

Firewalls

Firewalls protect company networks from unauthorised internet traffic and provide remote access to computer systems.

It is essential that they are configured correctly, with the appropriate security. This will prevent cyber criminals from exploiting backdoors, and in turn, allow access to networks, putting company data at risk.

Password Security

Cyber criminals can infiltrate computer networks by gaining access tos computers and Wi-Fi access points that use poor password security.

There are various ways to combat this, such as the use of complex passwords on all endpoints, along with 2 factor authentication on highly sensitive systems.

Training

Even with the best cyber security protocols in place, there is always a risk that an email or a malicious web link could slip through the net, causing potential havoc.

One of the best ways to help tackle this is through training. Teaching users how to spot a rogue email, and when not to open that enticing web link for a free Apple iPhone.

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Helping protect your IT Systems

Why You Need Cyber Security

How Are IT Systems Compromised?

Protecting Against Cyber Threats