What you'll learn in this article
Understand the core cyber hacking threats and how Mimecast’s solutions help build a resilient defense against evolving cyber attacks:
- Cyber hacking exploits system vulnerabilities through techniques like malware, ransomware, phishing, and espionage, often targeting email and collaboration tools to steal data or disrupt operations.
- Human error remains the biggest risk factor; empowering employees with security awareness training significantly reduces the chances of successful attacks by improving vigilance and response.
- Mimecast provides an integrated, cloud-based platform that combines advanced email security, data backup, business continuity, and end-user training to prevent attacks and ensure operational resilience even if breaches occur.
Hacking definition
Cyber hacking, also known as cyber attacking, is the practice of intentionally exploiting weaknesses in an organization's computer systems. Cyber hacking can be used for purposes such as compromising or stealing data, disrupting communication or procedures, or to satisfy other harmful objectives.
5 Common cyber hacking techniques
Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, is a type of software that is specifically designed to steal information, disrupt operations, and/or damage the system of its victim. Once a victim activates malware, it will execute sequences of code that are designed to manipulate systems on the victim's computer.
Denial of Service
Denial of Service (DoS) attacks aim to shut down, damage, or otherwise inhibit certain essential functions of the victim's computer.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that often encrypts its target's data and/or suspends essential operations temporarily with the promise to restore access after receiving a ransom payment.
Espionage
Sometimes cyber hackers gain access to networks in order to monitor their targets without noticeably damaging or stealing information. It is possible for cyber hackers to gain access to a user's camera, audio devices, and even password-protected applications without their victims ever knowing.
Phishing
A phishing attack is a method cyber hackers use to deploy malware and ransomware and/or gain access to login credentials or confidential information. Cyber hackers will create an imposter email, webpage, or social media profile as bait to lure victims into clicking on links that actually download malware.
3 Tips to prevent your organization from getting hacked
The best way to prevent your organization from getting hacked is to partner with a cybersecurity service provider like Mimecast. Mimecast helps businesses implement sophisticated but easy-to-use cybersecurity systems that effectively mitigate the risk of being hacked.
1. Implement secure email communication
From end-to-end email encryption, to email authentication policies, it’s important to secure the email messages sent and received by your organization as well as protecting your organization from cyber hackers who may be trying to send you malware.
2. Secure your data backups
Cyber hackers have a hard time getting into cloud-based storage systems, which also happen to be a convenient method for organizations to use for archiving their data. In the event of a system failure or data breach, having a data backup can be the difference between a close call and a multimillion-dollar ransomware attack.
3. Empower employees
The overwhelming majority of successful cyber hacks stem from human error, whether from setting a weak password or falling prey to a phishing attack.
Many people don't know what they don't know about cybersecurity, but Mimecast offers Security Awareness Training that can catch everyone in your organization up to speed. Just the same as everyone needs to do their part to keep physical offices safe from thieving by locking doors and filing cabinets, everyone should learn how to do their part to keep virtual spaces safe from cyber hackers.