A cyber-attack can compromise computer systems or track online movements without permission. It can be harmless, like spyware, or malicious, like viruses that disable networks. Cyberterrorism can cripple infrastructure, so it’s important for governments and individuals to take preventative measures.
A cyber-attack is an attempt to undermine or compromise the function of a computer-based system or attempt to track individuals’ online movements without their permission. Attacks of this type may be undetectable by the end user or network administrator, or lead to such total disruption of the network that none of the users can perform even the most rudimentary tasks. Due to the increasing complexity of these types of network attacks, developing effective software defenses is an ongoing process.
It is important to understand that a cyber attack can be relatively harmless and not cause any damage to your equipment or systems. This is the case of clandestinely downloading spyware onto a server or hard drive without the equipment owner’s knowledge or consent. With this type of cyber attack, the main objective is usually to collect information ranging from tracking the movements and general searches conducted by authorized users to copying and forwarding of key documents or information saved on the hard drive or server. While the ultimate goal is to capture and transmit information that will help the recipient make some sort of financial gain, spyware runs silently in the background and is highly unlikely to prevent normal system functions from performing.
However, a cyber attack can be malicious in its intent. This is true with viruses designed to disable the functionality of a network or even a single computer connected to the Internet. In situations of this nature, the aim is not to collect information without anyone noticing, but to create problems for anyone using the attacked network or computers connected to that network. The end result can be lost time and revenue, and possibly disruption to the supply of goods and services to customers of the affected company. Many businesses today take steps to ensure that network security is constantly being improved to prevent these types of malicious cyberattacks.
Attempts by cyber terrorists to interfere with the function of electrical networks and other means of providing public services are also classified as cyber attacks. Since attacks of this type can quickly cripple a country’s infrastructure, they are considered an ideal means of weakening a nation. A strategy that uses a series of cyberattacks timed to disrupt several key systems simultaneously can, in theory, render a nation unable to successfully overcome any of the attacks before a large amount of damage has occurred. Fortunately, many nations recognize the very real threat of cyberterrorism and take steps to protect government and utility systems from any type of Internet attack, as well as the manual introduction of software that could disrupt the systems.
Just as governments and businesses need to be aware of the possibility of a cyber attack, individuals must also take steps to protect their home computers and related equipment from any attack. A basic preventative measure is to secure high-quality anti-virus and anti-spyware software and update it regularly. End users should also be sure to scan files or programs stored on a CDR or similar remote storage system before loading them onto a hard drive.
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