1. What is cyber security?
Answer:”Cyber security” refers to a practice that protects computer systems, networks, and data from cyber attacks, unauthorized access, data breaches, or other kinds of digital threats. This includes a host of measures such as encryption, firewalls, and access controls.
2. Why is cyber security important?
Answer:
Cybersecurity is important as cyberattacks and data breaches might lead to the loss of finance, reputation damage, and sensitive information. Most people and business organizations are under threat in today’s digital society.
3. What are some of the common types of cyberattacks?
Answer:
Common types of cyberattacks are:
Phishing: This type of cyber attack involves fraudulent activity to obtain confidential information through an email or web site.
Malware: A software designed to damage or take advantage of the computer system.
Ransomware: Malware that locks or encrypts data and demands a ransom.
Denial of Service (DoS): Attacks that overwhelm systems, causing them to crash or become inaccessible.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM): Attacks where the attacker intercepts communications between two parties.
4. What is phishing, and how can I avoid it?
Answer:
Phishing means your attacker is using spam e-mails, Web sites, or text messages as a way to trick you into revealing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers.
How to avoid it:
Avoid suspicious links and attachments.
Check the authenticity of the sender’s e-mail address.
Use MFA where possible.
5. How to create a good password?
A good password should be:
At least 12 characters in length.
A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Don’t use your real name or birthday, among other personally identifiable information.
Think about using a password manager that creates and securely saves complicated passwords.
6. What is multi-factor authentication, and why do I need to have it?
MFA involves additional security beyond traditional login mechanisms since you would be asked for more than one type of proof that it’s really you, for instance something you know: password; something you have: a smartphone application or code; something you are: biometric data.
MFA strongly limits unauthorized access.
7. What are firewalls, and how do they protect me?
Answer:
A firewall is a safety network system that prevents, monitors, and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a defense between your computer/network and potential external threats by blocking malicious traffic or unauthorized access attempts.
8. Should I put antivirus on my devices?
Answer:
Yes, it detects, prevents, and cleans malware, ransomware, or other forms of malicious software; it gives that extra layer of protection especially with regular updates for software and other security measures.
9. What is encryption and why is it so important?
Encryption is the process of transforming data into a coded format that can only be deciphered with the correct decryption key. It protects sensitive information from unauthorized access, so even if data is intercepted, it will be unreadable.
10. How do I protect my personal data online?
Answer:
To protect your personal data:
Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
Enable MFA for accounts that support it.
Limit sharing personal information on social media.
Use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
11. What is a VPN, and why should I use one?
Answer:
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, making your online activity more secure and private. It is particularly useful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, as it helps protect against data interception.
12. What should I do if I think my data has been breached?
Answer:
If you believe a breach may have occurred, follow these steps immediately:
Change your passwords.
Review your accounts for unusual activity.
Notify the organization in question about any breach that might have occurred as to what information is now exposed to the public.
If necessary, notify the appropriate authority about the breach.
13. How do I know if a website is secure?
Check for
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) in the URL – indicates a secure connection
Padlock icon on the left of the website’s address.
Security certificates from known authorities.
14. What is social engineering in cybersecurity?
Answer:
Social engineering is the act of using manipulation to extract confidential information from victims. It is also the act of masquerading as a trusted person or institution, convincing the victim to provide sensitive data such as passwords or financial details.
15. Is public Wi-Fi dangerous?
Answer:
Yes, public Wi-Fi networks are unsecured and can be easily exploited by attackers to intercept data. If using public Wi-Fi, always connect via a VPN and avoid accessing sensitive information (like banking accounts) unless absolutely necessary.
16. What is ransomware, and how can I protect myself from it?
Answer:
Ransomware is malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment (ransom) for their release. To protect against it:
Store backups for essential files.
Never click on unknown links or attachments.
Utilize good antivirus programs.
17. Why should I keep my software up-to-date?
Answer:
Software updates often carry security patches to address known vulnerabilities. Keeping your software outdated means that attackers can use the exploits for unauthorized access due to vulnerabilities.
18. What are security patches, and why are they important?
Answer:
Security patches are software updates issued by the software developers to patch vulnerabilities that can be used by attackers. They play a very significant role in ensuring system security and preventing cyber attacks.
19. How can I protect my business from cyber threats?
Answer:
To secure your business
Educate your employees on good cybersecurity practices
Install firewalls and antivirus
Use MFA for critical systems
Backup your data regularly and encrypt sensitive information
Have an incident response plan.
20. What is a DDoS attack, and how would you protect from it?
A Distributed Denial of Service attack overwhelms the server with traffic so that nobody can access. It is protected by implementing traffic filtering systems, load balancing, and by taking DDoS protection services which can soak up malicious traffic.
21. How do you secure your mobile devices?
Ensure you use good passwords or a biometric-based authentication method (fingerprint or iris scan)
Update security programs frequently.
Download apps only from trusted sources (App Store, Google Play).
Enable device encryption.
Be careful with public Wi-Fi.
22. What is a brute force attack?
Answer:
A brute force attack is an attack where the attacker tries all possible combinations to crack the passwords until he gets the correct one. Protect it by using complex passwords and account lockout policies after several attempts.
23. What is two-factor authentication (2FA), and how does it work?
Answer:
2FA is a security process that requires two forms of identification to access an account. Normally, it is something you know (password) and something you have (a phone app or text message with a code). This makes it much harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access.
24. What are the risks of using weak passwords?
Answer:
Weak passwords are easy to guess or crack by hackers using brute force methods. It leads to unauthorized access to your accounts, and in extreme cases, you might end up losing money or data due to identity theft.
25. What is a cybersecurity policy, and do I need one?
Answer:
A cybersecurity policy is a set of rules and practices designed to protect a company’s data and network infrastructure. If you own a business or handle sensitive data, you should have a formal cybersecurity policy that outlines security protocols and employee responsibilities.
26. What is spyware, and how do I protect against it?
Answer:
Spyware is software that secretly gathers information from your device without your consent. To prevent it, you should use antivirus software, avoid downloading suspicious files, and monitor your devices regularly for unusual behavior.
27. What is a password manager, and why should I use one?
Answer:
A password manager is a tool that securely stores and manages your passwords. It generates complex passwords for each account and remembers them, so you don’t have to. This makes it easier to use strong passwords without needing to memorize them.
28. What is a data breach, and how can I prevent it?
Answer:
The terms refer to the infiltration of computers where sensitive data is accessed or stolen. Avoid having your data breached by using robust passwords, encryption, MFA, and most importantly, by making sure that you only allow authorized people into your data.
29. How do I know if a website is fake?
What’s the answer?
Watch out for:
HTTPS in the URL (the “s” means it’s secure).
A padlock icon in the address bar.
Typos or unusual domain names (e.g., “paypa1.com” instead of “paypal.com”).
Suspicious content or pop-ups that request your sensitive data.
30. What is Dark Web and am I a risk?
The Dark Web is a secret part of the internet, but it can only be accessed with specialized software. It is one where, for example, stolen data is sold. Though most persons won’t encounter it directly, it is a source of data breaches and cybercrime. Thus, keep track of your personal information.
31. What’s identity theft, and what can I do to prevent this?
Answer:
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information (like your Social Security number or bank account details) to commit fraud. Protect yourself by using strong passwords, enabling MFA, monitoring your credit, and being cautious when sharing personal information.
32. How do I recover from a cyberattack or data breach?
Answer:
Recovering from a cyberattack involves:
Isolating infected systems to prevent further damage.
Notifying affected parties (e.g., customers, partners).
Investigating the breach to determine its scope.
Restoring data from backups and patching vulnerabilities.
Reporting the attack to authorities or cybersecurity experts.
33. Should I use public cloud storage for sensitive data?
Answer:
Public cloud storage providers do offer security, but it is still important to encrypt sensitive data before uploading it. Use strong passwords, enable MFA, and choose reputable providers with strong security measures.
34. Why is regular backup important?
Answer:
Regular backups ensure your important data will be safe in case of ransomware or loss due to mishaps. Always keep your backups secure, preferably on both offline storage and cloud to protect them from cyberattacks.
35. How do I secure my email account?
Answer:
How to secure my email
Set up MFA for your email account.
Set a strong unique password.
Do not open links in emails suspiciously.
Constantly check for suspicious activities within security settings.
36. What is cybersecurity training in an organization?
Cybersecurity training teaches staff how to be aware of and respond to potential security threats such as phishing, weak passwords, and unsafe practices. Regular training creates a culture of security awareness and helps eliminate the possibility of human error that leads to security breaches.
37. What is endpoint security?
Endpoint security describes the protection offered to devices like computers, smart phones, and tablets from threats. It’s comprised of protection in the use of antivirus, firewalls, MFA, as well as encrypting data.
38. A virus is malware, but how is it different from malware?
Answer:
Virus: Any kind of malware that attaches its self to file and programs as a means to spread and reproduce.
Malware: An all-encompassing term that describes any kind of software code created to damage, exploit, or disrupt computers. Examples include viruses, trojans, worms, ransomware, and others.
39. What is a notification of a security breach, and when should it be sent?
Answer:
A security breach notification is a message to the parties whose information might have been exposed by a cyber breach. The notice should be given as soon as possible after detecting the breach, especially if sensitive data, like financial or personal details, has been compromised.
40. What are cybersecurity best practices for small businesses?
Answer:
Best practices for small businesses include:
Employee training on cybersecurity.
Use of strong passwords and MFA.
Regular software updates and backups.
Secure your Wi-Fi networks using encryption.
Check and test your security systems periodically.
These questions and answers are very important cybersecurity tips on how to stay safe in today’s increasingly connected world.
