Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cumberland Connect • October 23, 2023

Week 3 – Beyond the Basics

In this week’s installment of our Cybersecurity Awareness Month series, we’ll go beyond the basics and cover newly emerging threats in the cyber world. Just as technology is constantly evolving – cybercriminals are too, and it’s important to stay up-to-date on the most recent cybersecurity trends.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware attacks have become increasingly prevalent and damaging in the modern age. If you own a business or work for a company, you could be especially at risk from this form of cyberattack. Here are some ways you can help protect yourself from falling for a ransomware attack:

  • Learn how to recognize dangerous spam emails that can intrude on your network. We’ve covered this extensively on our blog, but prevention is the best medicine! Being able to recognize a potential ransomware attack is a great way to shut down the danger before it even happens.
  • Keep your software up-to-date to prevent cybercriminals from taking advantage of any exploits.
  • Regularly back up your data can help you recover quickly in the event you fall victim to a ransomware attack.

IoT Vulnerabilities

The Internet of Things has become a part of everyday life for most people. With smart devices in every corner of our home, such as smart doorbells, cameras, thermostats, and more – even these devices can be vulnerable to a cyberattack. But you can’t install antivirus on a smart doorbell, so what can be done to keep cyber threats at bay?

For Cumberland Connect subscribers, the solution is simple. Our Peace of Mind Package includes built-in network security for all of your connected devices. Powered by ProtectIQ, this network protection works together with traditional antivirus software to help quarantine any suspicious incoming network traffic that it recognizes as a threat. In the event that one of your connected devices has been compromised, ProtectIQ can also keep this device from spreading the malware to other devices on your network. ProtectIQ works in the background to make securing your Wi-Fi network simple. Click here to learn more!

AI-Driven Attacks

You’ve probably heard about the rise of AI in recent months – and unfortunately, cybercriminals can take advantage of this technology, too. AI can closely mimic human behavior, so be sure to take an extra close look at that suspicious email you received. Phishing emails will likely become harder to spot in the coming years, which is why is it so important to learn other ways of recognizing whether an email is malicious:

  • Use the hover method to hover over any hyperlinks and ensure that they go to the page you’re expecting BEFORE you click.
  • Double-check the sender of any email you receive, and if it looks suspicious, be sure to confirm with the sender by other means that the message is legitimate.
  • Invest in a good spam filter service for your emails.

The world of cybersecurity is dynamic and ever-changing. By staying informed about emerging threats and trends, you can adapt your cybersecurity strategy to better protect yourself or your organization from the evolving challenges of the digital age. We’ll have one last installment for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we hope this content has been helpful so far!

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