Think again.
Cyber criminals are targeting businesses of all sizes using “botnets,” as recent reports reveal a broad net cast across industries.
Malicious botnets are the secret weapons of cyber criminals, comprising compromised devices controlled by a single malicious puppeteer.
These can be anything from your computer to your smart refrigerator. Moreover, your refrigerator can be turned into a cyber weapon.
A new report observed “massive spikes” in the activity of these botnets, with over a million devices involved in malicious activities at one point. To put it into perspective, that’s a hundred times the usual levels of botnet activity.
Usually, there are around 10,000 devices doing naughty stuff each day, with 20,000 being the highest number researchers had seen.
But surprisingly, in December 2023, things got crazy.
The number shot up to 35,144, and two weeks later, it rose even further to 43,194. That’s a lot of compromised devices.
And it didn’t stop there; the researchers saw the biggest spike yet, hitting a whopping 143,957 distinct devices being used at the same time.
In fact, on January 5 and 6 there were spikes of more than a million devices!
Why are they doing this? These botnets are being used to scan the internet, searching for weaknesses in websites, servers, and even email systems.
The internet is like a fortress with many doors and windows. Cyber criminals search for unlocked doors and open windows to sneak in. They focus on specific “ports” that serve as entry points.
Besides, what can you do to protect yourself from these cyber threats?
It’s all about strengthening those doors and windows. Here are a few simple steps:
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- Keep your software, operating systems, and applications up-to-date. Regular updates often fix vulnerabilities.
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- Install a good firewall and reliable antivirus software to protect your devices.
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- Educate your employees about cyber security best practices, such as avoiding suspicious links and emails.
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- Enforce strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and devices.
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- Regularly back up your data to prevent loss in case of a cyber attack.
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- Keep an eye on your network for any unusual activity.
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- Consider hiring a cyber security expert (that’s us) to assess and enhance your security measures.
Furthermore, if we can help you keep your business better protected, get in touch.