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RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & TRENDS
Digital Risks and Cybersecurity:
An Overview
Digital threats and cyber attacks are the current demons and cause havoc. In recent years, the cases in which
of the economy. This is mainly because companies are large companies and corporations were attacked has
not sufficiently protected and prepared. The actual increased.
extent of the threat can only be estimated. Malware - malicious software seizes data
The reasons of cyber attacks and the risks that the gaps Viruses, worms and Trojans are another security risk.
in IT security entail are shown in the following: The so-called malware has evolved into a worldwide
criminal industry that relies on making profit from
Data loss - attacks and negligence captured personal information. A virus infects programs
and performs certain actions when they start. A worm is
The causes that lead to data loss are manifold. Not all a virus that sends itself to other computers by itself.
are due to external attacks, such as cyber attacks. Trojans disguise themselves as harmless programs
Other damage can lead to the loss of important and and unfold their effect only when the unsuspecting user
sensitive data, too. For example, poor or forgotten has executed them. But by now, not only computers
backups, software failures, hardware defects, heat or are being attacked, but also smartphones, which until
water damage, these all are a risk. Sometimes, now are most often not protected. In Connected Cars
however, data is deleted accidentally. These are digital such a malware could cause considerable damage.
dangers to be avoided. For prevention, regular backups
of all important stored data is a must.
Extortion - Ransom to save data
Hacking - vulnerabilities open the door
Digital blackmail letters threaten companies with
One of the digital threats are hackers. They are looking attacks unless they are willing to pay a ransom.
specifically for security holes in the IT of companies to Affected are above all financial service providers,
attack or manipulate them. Through hacker attacks, insurance companies or online service providers, but
cybercriminals enter the internal network of companies other companies that manage sensitive data become
4 June 2019 - Cyber-security & Data Protection