Are you concerned that you are not aware of all the potential security threats that you face as an online business owner? I’ve got your covered because I’m going to discuss them all in this article.
The top 9 threats to your businesses web site’s security include:
1. Adware
This is a small software program that displays ads and pop up ads on your screen. Some also will track your personal information and provide it to other parties.
2. Blended Threats
As it sounds, this type of attack combines several of the threats discussed in this article. This way, damage is maximized in one event. For example, you may download an attachment that not only contains a virus that will damage your computer, that download may also include a Trojan horse that will cause further damage on a continual basis.
3. Data Driven Attack
Sure sounds harmless. What happens here is that a threat is actually encoded in data that you unknowingly execute that launches an attack.
4. DNS Spoofing
This type of attack takes place when a hacker gains control over the DNS of your domain. They then redirect your visitors to another site that still shows your URL, leaving customers to think they are on your trusted site.
5. Flooding
This threat takes place when huge amounts of information are directed to your system / server which ends up causing a Denial Of Service (DOS) attack.
6. Pharming
Working with DNS spoofing, customers data is stolen when they enter it into the bogus site they have been taken to. As far as your customers are aware, they have entered their information into your site because the domain name doesn’t change.
7. Phishing
This is a tactic that’s worked very well over the years. With this security issue, you will receive an email telling you that there is a problem with a particular financial account. You’re directed to click on link in the email to be taken to your account to correct the problem, or provide more data within the email itself. The site you are taken to looks very similar to the real financial institution’s site. When you enter your log in information, the thieves have it and will clean your account out.
8. Smurfing
This attack is software based and involves sending large amounts of data to your site, causing a denial of service (DOS)
9. Spyware
This is any software that utilizes your Internet connection without your knowledge or permission. This is normally installed on your machine via free software that you’ve downloaded. Once installed, it monitors your Internet activity and reports that information to others. It can also be used to grab your personal information as well. Email addresses, credit card data and passwords are all favorites of thieves for obvious reasons.
