# Cybersecurity 2023: 5 major threats and how to protect yourself from them

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/8bgvMbF6wy5EyGrkuyUO/blobs/doMY7zg7dDx6v1hKToz8/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## 1. Ransomware: The digital hostage

### **Description**

Ransomware encrypts user data, demanding a ransom for decryption.

See the Be-Hacktive capsule on Ransomware!

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/8bgvMbF6wy5EyGrkuyUO/blobs/sum4qRKjU78CPUgKHseK/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Miscellaneous facts

* Belgium: Cyberattack in Belgium: the city of Liège victim of ransomware, in 2021
* France: Ransomware: hackers paralyze a French hospital and demand 10 million euros, in 2022

## Protection

Non-exhaustive list:

* Frequent data backups.
* Avoid suspicious links or attachments.
* Use up-to-date antivirus software.

***

## 2. DDoS: Server overload

### **Description**

DDoS attacks flood a site with traffic, making it inaccessible.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/8bgvMbF6wy5EyGrkuyUO/blobs/Af5zOm8T50ybuQFVMeD2/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Miscellaneous facts

GitHub, targeted in 2018, suffered a massive 1.35 terabytes per second attack.

### Protection

Non-exhaustive list:

* Services de mitigation DDoS.
* Robust firewalls.
* Constant traffic monitoring.

***

## 3. Phishing: The digital scam

### **Description**

Phishing attacks seek to trick the user into obtaining sensitive information.

The very first capsule of the blog talks about it :smile:

## Miscellaneous facts

In 2017, employees of Google and Facebook were victims, causing a loss of $100 million.

### Protection

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/8bgvMbF6wy5EyGrkuyUO/blobs/sheG0L16tMu3Oo2DaPyM/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## 4. MitM Attacks: The Sneaky Interception

### **Description**

Man-in-the-middle attacks capture communication between two parties.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/8bgvMbF6wy5EyGrkuyUO/blobs/U6FnOJRcZrLtNhQmnFJ5/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Miscellaneous facts

In 2017, a data breach was confirmed at Equifax, exposing more than 143 million Americans. As a result, Equifax created a website called equifaxsecurity2017.com to allow its customers to see if the breach affected them.

United States: what is the Equifax affair, one of the biggest hacks in history?

### Protection

Non-exhaustive list:

* HTTPS connections exclusively.
* Avoid public Wi-Fi or use a VPN.
* Check site certificates.

***

## 5. IoT vulnerabilities: Connected objects at risk

### **Description**

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the networking of objects. It is comparable to a social network or an email provider, but IoT connects devices rather than people. Business Insider experts expect the number of connected objects to reach 47 billion by 2027.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/8bgvMbF6wy5EyGrkuyUO/blobs/vcgVKoLRFK6KFpkohIf1/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Miscellaneous facts

The Mirai attack in 2016 transformed connected objects into botnets, causing major disruption.

### Protection

Non-exhaustive list:

* Change default passwords.
* Regular updating of devices.
* Disconnect unused devices.

***

## Conclusion

Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field. By staying informed and adopting appropriate security measures, you can protect yourself against the major threats of 2023.