What Are Network Security Threats?
In this current digital world, almost every daily activities and procedures are automatic and are accessible for use in interne. This poses a serious security threat and network attack. It can be defined as an attempt to obtain unauthorized access to a network with an aim of stealing data or undertaking other malicious activity (Rathore et al. 2017). While internet provides an easy way to maintain and run complex and large enterprise network, it also presents a security threat. The problem is that, while organizations or even individuals tries to make movement within their network flexible, they are opening up a way for malicious actors to have access to the network. They can move freely around the network causing tremendous damage without the knowledge of the owner. The top ten most common security threat include;
Currently, businesses are expose to malware attack almost every 14 seconds of their daily operations. Research has shown that there has been an increase of up to 355% annually of malware attack. The massive increase was triggered by the emergence of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin allowing attackers to gain access to ransoms anonymously. They start these attack by encrypting data, infecting database system and threatening to delete or corrupt files unless paid a hefty ransom.
Viruses are associated to a host file or a system and can stay dormant until involuntarily activated by an event or a timer. Statistic show that almost 35% of household computers have viruses. The moment viruses enter to a computer system it immediately starts replicating itself with a core aim of infecting as many networks system as possible. Transmission of viruses are carried out by exploiting vulnerabilities in software.
In layman’s language, a trojan horse simply implies situation where a user is tricked into willingly or rather unknowingly inviting an attacker in a secured network. The attacker hides behind a real network program.
This type of network security threat is spread via email. A user receives message from a familiar person, and once the user clicks on the link which has an attachment, the malware is hence downloaded unto the user’s computer. The trojan horse can thus record essential information such as passwords and any other private data.
adware refers to any type of software that basically tracks data that relates to a user’s browsing habits. Once a user’s routine is established, the user receives adverts and pop-ups. Its is important to note that adware collects data with the users consent. In fact, some companies generate income by allowing users to try out their software without any charges. Such software comes with adverts that a user must first watch in order to use the software. Adware may slow down the functionality of a computer, its speed and 6internet connectivity. Spyware is similar to adware, except that it is installed on a user’s computer without consent. The spyware may contain keyloggers recording personal data such as passwords. it poses serious security threats=
DoS (denial-of-service) threat occurs when an attacker overloads a user’s server with data traffic. In such incidences, a website gets overloaded with content hence making it hard for legitimate users to timely access such content. On the other hand, a DDoS (distributed denial-of -service) threat is a more forceful form of DoS. This attack is distributed to a large number of computers in the form of a chain where one infects another as the number expands
The Top 10 Most Common Network Security Threats
Man-in-the-middle (MIM) attacks are cybersecurity threats that facilitate an attacker to listen in on communication that should rather be private. The attacker intercepts communication keys between the two targets and easily gets access to their communication without either of the parties knowing. For4 personal gain that is most often selfish and extortionist, the attacker may store such data.
SQL injection threats are modelled to target applications that are data driven by taking advantage of the weaknesses in the application’s software. Here, attackers use malicious code to acquire personal information. They may alter the data or destroy it, or even go the extent of invalidating certain online transactions. SQL injection attacks are among the most dangerous privacy issues that threaten personal space and confidentiality.
This is a collection of software materials that facilitates remote control and unlimited access to computer networks, just as administration could. Once the rootkit obtains access, it can then undertake malicious commands. Rootkits also hide behind legitimate software and when granted permissions to make alterations on the computer’s operating system, the rootkit implants itself awaiting activation by the hacker. The rootkit may as well be distributed by phishing emails, malicious files and links as well as downloading material from websites that are suspicious.
This is a type of social engineering methods that aims to obtain sensitive and private data that include usernames, passwords, credit card numbers among others (Bays et.al 2015). Attackers send instant messages or phishing emails that appear legitimate on the surface. The target gets tricked into opening links that are rather malicious, thereby helping that attacker to install spyware and malware on the user’s computer. The attacker may obtain a banker’s information by emailing him or her in the name of the bank, and once asked to verify identity, personal information is obtained by the hacker
Computer worms are facets of malicious programs that quickly replicate and spread across many computers. An infected computer sends the malware to others that are in contact with it. These computer worms are not always harmful, they may just spread without causing any security threats. such worms may as well be transmitted by exploiting vulnerabilities on the software.
While the above discussed are prominent issues in cybersecurity, they are not the only threats in the current world of technology. Whichever measures are put in place to mitigate these threats, there is need for vigilant and constant update as well as heightening such measures since the threats are constantly evolving. It is needless to harbor fear of whatever kind since technology is rapidly changes and so do hackers in their quest to carry out their malicious intentions. No system or software may be said to be totally impenetrable, it is only prudent to be alert at all times
Most people have a hate-love relationship with WI-FI network. When it works, it is amazing and awesome, on the other hand, it is frustrating and annoying when it does not work. inSSDer assist in removing the frustration by showing the exact configuration of the network, the impact of neighboring WI-FI on yours and suggest a way for fast and secure WI-FI network.
Malware
MAC Address – it is a unique identifier for a wireless network.They include radio’s MAC Address in an structured network. and pseudo-randomly generated MAC Address in an AD-Hoc environment.
SSID – Abbreviation of “Service Set Identifier”, a name used by 802.11 wireless network to identify itself.
RSSI – Abbreviation of “Received Signal Strength Indication”, referred to a bounty feature of wireless network seen in omputers
Vendor – inSSIDer show the hardware vendor of an Access Point which are available
Channel – Every wireless network functions on a precise Wi-Fi channel. “Channels 1-14
are in the 2.4 GHz frequency range, while channels 30-160 are in the 5 GHz range.
inSSIDer may show two numbers in the channel column, indicating that a
network is using channel bonding.” (Kapgate, Vatti and Jadhav, 2017).
Security – inSSIDer will list the following security settings: Open, WPA Personal, WEP
WPA-Enterprise, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-Personal, Wi-Fi Protected Setup.
Network Type –. inSSDer identifies two different types of network that is, Ad-Hoc /independent Network allowing clients to operate on a wireless network and infrastructure network facilitating communication between clients
Information from running the application
Insider provides various essential information which include
By using inSSDer, you are able to see and understands how your network is interacting with the neighboring network and the impact it has on your network. It displays useful information about the access points of your WI-FI network including signal strength, data rate, channel width and security.
InSSDer plays an essential role in scanning Local Area Network for determination of devices in your network. In other devices, it goes beyond to showing the type and name of the devices in your network.
A channel with many WI-FI network can be less busy than a channel with single WI-FI networks. WI-FI speed is improved through selection of quite channel. In inSSDer, the channel table shows all available channels and how busy they are, making it easy to select the, most relatively quiet channel.
It analyzes your WI-FI and provides a way to change and improve your WI-FI network
The configuration and capabilities of the access point have a tremendous influence on whether the WI-FI network is fast or slow. Unlike mesh system which hide or bury this configuration, inSSDer display all these essential configuration details of the access point in a single east to read list.
The inSSDer is built to capture a complete picture of every client in your Wi-Fi network plus the retry rate and connected data rate. This are essential in indicating the client connection quality.
There are tools available in inSSDer that can be used by network administrators to combat insider threats. According to VanSickle, Abegaz and Payne (2019). “These tools can detect unauthorized logins, the installation of new apps on locked down computers, users with newly granted authorization access, and new devices on restricted networks. In addition, businesses should provide all employees with routine cybersecurity training to help prevent these mistakes.”
Yes, the definitely will. The information provided by network analyzers for instant inSSDer can be used by hackers to their own benefits. Attackers can use this information to gain access to unauthorized organizational data. According to Rathore et al (2017)“Insider threats, or threats posed by employees, affect 34% of businesses around the world. These employees may be acting intentionally to hurt the company or accidentally, out of ignorance or negligence. As more employees move to remote work, which opens them up to additional risks, organizations should take extra precautions to curb insider threats.”
A comprehensive analysis of five wireless network analyzers to determine a suitable device for small business. The five analyzers include; Netspot, Netcut, vistumbler, wireshark, and solarWinds NPM,
Among this five analysers, NetCut is highly recommended for small business since it contain NetCut defender which provides an extra protection against MAC address spoofing and ARP. Additionally, it is more easy to use.
References
Andregate, A. (2017). Monitoring Sinyal WLAN Menggunakan InSSIDer.
Bays, L. R., Oliveira, R. R., Barcellos, M. P., Gaspary, L. P., & Madeira, E. R. M. (2015). Virtual network security: threats, countermeasures, and challenges. Journal of Internet
Kapgate, Y., Vatti, R., & Jadhav, S. (2017). WiFi Tools and Signal Strength Analysis. GRD Journals Global Research and Development Journal for Engineering, 2(10).
Rathore, S., Sharma, P. K., Loia, V., Jeong, Y. S., & Park, J. H. (2017). Social network security: Issues, challenges, threats, and solutions. Information sciences, 421, 43-69.
Ser Rathore, S., Sharma, P. K., Loia, V., Jeong, Y. S., & Park, J. H. (2017). Social network security: Issues, challenges, threats, and solutions. Information sciences, 421, 43-69.vices and Applications, 6(1), 1-19.
VanSickle, R., Abegaz, T., & Payne, B. (2019). Effectiveness of tools in identifying rogue access points on a wireless network.
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