What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems and networks from cyberattacks. It covers everything from password management to computer security tools driven by machine learning. Cybersecurity makes it possible to reliably trade, chat, and browse over the internet.

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Cybersecurity works like a shell around users, protecting them from various online threats

Cybersecurity shields laptops, phones, smart appliances, and other devices from attacks

Why is cybersecurity important?

Cybersecurity is important because it keeps the services that the modern world is built upon functioning as they should. Most systems that manage services we take for granted have moved online, from financial organizations and medical care to electrical grids that power whole cities. Cybersecurity is the defensive wall that keeps these systems safe from cyberattacks.

Data leaks can give criminals sensitive information to blackmail users or break into their accounts

Without adequate IT security, your banking information, private messages, or online activities would be out in the open for anyone to see (this is where cybersecurity tools like a VPN can help). These aren’t hypothetical situations, either — the brief history of cybersecurity shows that hackers have infiltrated United States government systems, disrupted national power grids, and blackmailed billions of dollars out of people and companies through ransomware attacks.

Real data on real threats

Nord Security experts closely monitor cybercrime statistics and regularly publish professional cybersecurity research to raise public awareness.

Types of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity can be broadly divided into five types, although they aren’t set in stone — cybersecurity tools can easily belong to more than one category.

Critical infrastructure cybersecurity

Critical infrastructure cybersecurity guards key systems required to keep society functioning (such as power grids and hospitals) from cyber threats.

Network security

Network security keeps intruders out of internal computer networks, such as your company’s servers.

Cyber security tools can shield home appliances, routers, and smart gadgets from cyberattacks

Internet of Things (IoT) security

IoT security protects the IT elements in physical objects, such as smart gadgets, security cameras, and Wi-Fi routers.

Cloud security

Cloud security protects the data stored in and the services provided through the cloud.

Applications on phones, PCs, and other devices must be protected from malware and other threats

Application security

App security keeps apps safe from outside threats, starting with secure development practices and ending with dedicated hardware solutions.

Types of cybersecurity threats

A cyberattack or cyber threat is any malicious act seeking to damage, steal, or secretly alter data. Here are the most common cyber threats.

Malware

Malware is any malicious software that takes advantage of the user. It can range from programs that flood your device with ads to keyloggers that record every stroke of your keyboard.

Ransomware

During a cyberattack, ransomware infects a device encrypting all its data. If the attack victim wants to access the data on their device again, they have to pay a ransom.

Social engineering

Social engineering is a set of techniques that manipulate the victim into doing something that the hacker wants. It’s an umbrella term that includes phishing, vishing, catfishing, pretexting, and more.

Distributed denial of service

In DDoS attacks, a network of infected computers overwhelms their target with enormous amounts of traffic. It can slow websites to the point where it’s impossible to use or take them down for some time.

Hackers can try to insert themselves in their victims’ communications to steal information

Man-in-the-middle attacks

In MITM attacks, the criminals intercept user’s device communications to observe, manipulate, and steal the victim’s data traffic.

Criminals can tricks websites on the world wide web to reveal visitors’ sensitive information_alt

SQL injection

Hackers work malicious code lines into database management systems to trick websites into revealing all sensitive information they contain.

Hackers can peek at what users are doing by inserting malicious scripts into websites

Cross-site scripting

Criminals insert a malicious script into a regular website. The software can then record your sensitive information like what you type into login fields when accessing your online bank account.

Criminals run specialized software to try common words and popular phrases to guess your password

Dictionary attack

In a dictionary attack, a hacker uses a predefined list of words and phrases to guess your password. Most attacks utilize password-cracking software that can take millions of guesses from a list of most common passwords.

Criminals can take information obtained through other methods to crack open a victim’s account

Credential stuffing

Hackers use login information obtained through social engineering or from leaked databases to crack every account you have. For example, if a criminal gets their hands on your email password, they’ll try to access your other accounts using the same credentials.

Check out our glossary for more cybersecurity terms

Find definitions, examples, and prevention methods for all things cybersecurity.

Go to Glossary

Cyber threat actors

A cyber threat actor (also known simply as a “threat actor”) is a person or group that carries out or aids cyberattacks on devices, systems, and networks. Here are the five most common cyber threat actors today.

Cyberattacks let criminals steal your sensitive information from the comfort of their own couch

Some hackers carry out cyberattacks to advance political, social, or environmental causes

Insiders abuse their access privileges to sneakily steal confidential data from their employers

Cybercriminals
Hackers working outside of the law, usually for profit or revenge. Cybercriminals are the most common threat actor in the digital world, with most cybersecurity measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to your system or sensitive data.
Insiders
People who are already embedded in an organization, such as company employees. Insiders have access to the organization’s internal networks and possess information (or other resources) that outsiders do not.
Nation-state actors
Nation-state actors are hackers backed (or at least permitted) by the state to engage in cyberattacks against geopolitical entities, usually to steal military secrets, sabotage infrastructure, or spread disinformation.

Cyberattacks can target cities or infrastructure objects to spread terror and discredit governments

Governments hire hackers or turn a blind a blind eye to cybercriminals as part of hybrid warfare

Hacktivists
Hacktivists target governments, corporations, or individuals to promote social and political agendas. A hacktivist may attempt to leak damaging confidential information to the public or disrupt the target’s activities with DDoS attacks, for example.
Terrorist organizations
Hackers may be affiliated with known terrorist organizations. Their cyberattacks typically target the infrastructure, credibility, or population of particular nations (such as the United States) or are used to aid terrorist attacks in the real world.

Nord Security’s role in cybersecurity

Nord Security is active in educating internet users about the benefits of cybersecurity and good online habits. Our products (like NordVPN) help you protect yourself against many common online threats.

VPN with anti-malware

Surf online with confidence. NordVPN will cover your daily cybersecurity needs by securing internet traffic and blocking dangerous websites, ads, and malware.

VPN for business

Businesses have specific cybersecurity requirements — that’s why they need a specialized VPN. Enable remote teams and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Password manager

Passwords are key to your digital security. Generate and autofill unique passwords, identify vulnerable credentials, and check if your passwords have been leaked.

Secure cloud storage

Keep your files backed up, synced, and protected from snoopers, loss, or malware in NordLocker’s secure cloud. Nobody will see, touch, or sell them.

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Frequently asked questions

Who needs cybersecurity?

Cyberattacks can target anyone, from private individuals on mobile devices to globe-spanning corporate networks. However, hackers most commonly attack healthcare and financial institutions, small businesses, manufacturing companies, education facilities, and power grid systems.

Without proper security solutions, cyberattacks can paralyze entire sectors, result in expensive data breaches for companies, and compromise accounts. The short and simple answer is that everyone needs cybersecurity — it is just as important for your iPhone as it is for government organizations.

Who is responsible for cybersecurity regulation?

Cybersecurity regulation is handled by national authorities, industry regulators, and cybersecurity associations. Despite the global presence and accessibility of the internet, each region has its own methods for regulating cybersecurity. For example, the EU has established the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) to help shape policy, implemented the Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems to set common cybersecurity standards across member states, and adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for data protection.

How do cybersecurity measures protect end users and systems?

There are numerous cybersecurity measures to help end users avoid compromising their systems, including cybersecurity education about common online pitfalls and cyber threats. VPNs use complex cryptography to protect user communications and sensitive data from loss or theft, while security programs like antiviruses can find and remove malicious programs.

When is cybersecurity awareness month?

October has been recognized as the cybersecurity awareness month since 2003. Originally a joint initiative of the US Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, it has since spread around the world. Cybersecurity professionals today use it as an opportunity to educate the general public about online threats and good cybersecurity practices.

What career opportunities are there in cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a growing field with great career opportunities. While most think that working in cybersecurity involves computer programming, the truth is that modern organizations need to fill many roles to protect their networks — some of which have little to do with information technology at all. For example, penetration testers identify weak points in cybersecurity by acting out digital and real-world attack scenarios, while information security officers are responsible for the organization’s overall cybersecurity strategy.

Nord Security is always looking for new talent to help us make the internet a safer place — have a look at our current listings for cybersecurity jobs.

What are the latest cyber threats?

Among the most recent cyber threats, we can mention the Dridex malware, a financial trojan horse capable of stealing passwords and bank details; crypto jacking, a technique used to “mine” cryptocurrency by secretly using the victims’ computer processing capacity; and drive-by downloads, which install themselves on devices without user consent and can infect and damage your systems in different ways.

How to protect yourself against cyberattacks?

To protect yourself against cyberattacks, it is important to adopt some basic security measures, including using strong and complex passwords, regularly updating all your programs and devices, being careful when downloading and opening files from unknown sources and shady e-mails, and using a VPN, especially when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.