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What We Can Learn from the History of Cyberattacks

hacker using computer virus for cyber attack

Since the dawn of the computer age, people have been trying to steal electronic information. First, it was massive mainframe computers. These were the targets of both sides of the Cold War. International electronic espionage was not just found in spy novels but was a breathing reality. Both sides were trying to infiltrate the computers and gain secret military knowledge. Then, as large companies began using mainframes, they became the target of attempts to gain trade secrets, create work disruptions, and empower individual employees to commit embezzlement acts and other types of thievery.

The next historic computer age came with the introduction of Personal Computers (PCs). During this time, there was a computer on every desk and in every home. Files could be transferred over a phone line connected to a modem. But the real danger was storing files on floppy disks or thumb drives. These items were, and still are, easy to pocket and steal. While eventually files could be password protected, they seldom ever were.

Then came the Internet. The whole world is now connected via the World Wide Web with cybercriminals ensnaring every bit of information they can reach. The information superhighway is fraught with dangers. Fortunately, people, companies and governments are taking broad steps to create awareness, build barriers and develop protective technologies against every type of cyberattack used throughout the Internet. These include firewalls, security software, server monitoring, multi-factor authentication and more.

Fast forward to today, we’re living through a pandemic. Cybercrime has taken on a higher frequency than ever before. The typical means of cybercriminal attacks occur via email through phishing scams. Predominately, these attacks are focused on stealing people’s login and other information for monetary gains. These types of attacks are successful because they disguise themselves as a trusted source and impersonate websites to continue the misconception of legitimacy.

What have we learned?

We have learned that attacks can be from around the world or from right next door. Attacks can be from hardened criminals, employees, or even precocious teens.

Cybercriminals went after passwords and other security measures as their primary means of gaining access to private information and they still do today from the outset.

Also, they wait in ambush for us to lower our guard. Lowering our guard can encompass many bad habits such as being unaware of our surroundings, using public WiFi, being cavalier about our password protection, and being lured into well-disguised emails phishing for private information.

What Can You Do?

Contract a managed IT services provider. If history has taught us anything, it has taught us that you can’t do it alone. With a managed IT services provider, you gain the experience and expertise you and your company need to stay protected. They monitor servers, implement safety measures, and can often remove criminal elements before they attack.

Stop history from repeating itself and surround your information with the defenses and fortification necessary for protection and peace of mind. Contact our caring team of cybersecurity experts at Midnight Blue so you can enjoy safety in cyberspace. Visit our contact form or call us at 412-342-3800 to schedule a Network Security Audit.