In this blog, we have discussed many times how important cybersecurity is for businesses of all sizes. From personal information and financial transactions to critical infrastructure, our digital footprint is vast, and it is constantly under threat. Cybersecurity has evolved from being a concern primarily for IT professionals to an issue that affects individuals, businesses, governments, and organisations of all sizes and types.
While everyone has to deal with the complexities of technology, not everyone is tech-savvy enough to protect their digital assets. In this context, some cybersecurity myths have remained present in the strategies and approaches of less-prepared companies and individuals.
These myths might be common, but by reading this article, you'll be able to separate them from reality, making better decisions when it comes to your company's cybersecurity.
Myth 1: Small companies are too small to be targeted by cybercriminals
Many people believe that cybercriminals are only interested in high-profile targets like large corporations or government agencies because they have more valuable data or financial resources. However, cybercriminals have various motivations, and not all attacks are financially driven. Some hackers seek personal information, intellectual property, or simply enjoy the challenge of compromising systems.
In reality, cybercriminals often target smaller businesses and individuals because they may have weaker security measures in place. Attacking a smaller, less secure organisation can be a stepping stone to compromising a more valuable target further down the chain.
The myth that small entities are immune to cyberattacks is a dangerous misconception. Cybercriminals are opportunistic and will target anyone with vulnerabilities they can exploit. Small businesses and individuals should prioritise cybersecurity measures to protect themselves, as they can be just as susceptible to cyber threats as larger organisations.
Myth 2: Antivirus software is enough protection
In the early days of personal computing, malware threats were relatively simple, and traditional antivirus software was effective at detecting and removing known viruses and malware. This created a perception that having antivirus software was sufficient for protection.
However, nowadays, antivirus software primarily focuses on known malware and viruses. It relies on signature-based detection, which means it can only identify and block threats for which it has pre-defined signatures. This approach is ineffective against new, zero-day threats or malware that uses sophisticated evasion techniques.
Cybersecurity threats have evolved significantly over time. Today's threats include polymorphic malware (which changes its code to evade detection), ransomware, phishing attacks, zero-day exploits, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Antivirus software alone is ill-equipped to defend against these complex and dynamic threats.
Modern cybersecurity requires a more comprehensive approach that includes endpoint security solutions, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), firewalls, email filtering, web filtering, and more. Antivirus software is just one component of a broader security strategy.
While antivirus software is an important component of cybersecurity, it is not sufficient on its own to protect against the wide range of threats in today's digital landscape. A holistic and multi-layered approach to cybersecurity that includes proactive measures, user education, and a combination of security tools is necessary to defend against evolving and sophisticated cyber threats.
Myth 3: Cyberattacks only come from external sources
Traditional security measures, like firewalls and intrusion detection systems, were designed to protect the network perimeter from external threats. This reinforced the idea that attacks only came from outside the organisation.
It is important to keep in mind that insider threats, where individuals within an organisation intentionally or unintentionally compromise security, are a significant and growing concern. Employees, contractors, or partners with access to an organisation's systems can pose serious risks.
Cybercriminals often target an organisation's supply chain, compromising smaller, trusted partners to gain access to the primary target. These attacks often originate from within the supply chain network. External attackers also often seek to steal credentials (e.g., usernames and passwords) through phishing or other means. Once they have these credentials, they can appear as legitimate insiders and move laterally within the network.
Modern cybersecurity strategies must address both external and internal threats, emphasising the importance of strong access controls, user training, and monitoring to protect against all potential sources of cyberattacks.
Myth 4: Strong passwords are enough protection
In the past, password-based authentication was one of the primary security measures. This led to the belief that creating complex, hard-to-guess passwords would provide sufficient protection.
Security guidelines often stress the importance of using strong passwords, which are typically defined as having a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. These recommendations contributed to the strength of this myth.
Strong passwords can still be vulnerable to various attacks, such as brute force attacks, where attackers systematically try all possible combinations, or dictionary attacks, where attackers use common words and patterns to guess passwords.
Cyberattacks often target the theft of login credentials through data breaches or malware. Even if you have a strong password, if the service you use is breached, your credentials may be exposed.
In this context, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which involves something you know (password) and something you have (e.g., a mobile device), provides a much higher level of security than passwords alone. Relying solely on strong passwords ignores the benefits of MFA.
Myth 5: Cybersecurity is IT's responsibility
IT departments are strongly associated with cybersecurity. In the past, they were primarily responsible for managing technology infrastructure, including computers, servers, and networks. They were tasked with implementing security measures, such as firewalls and antivirus software, to protect these assets. This led to the perception that cybersecurity was solely within the domain of IT.
However, security is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the IT department. While IT plays a crucial role in implementing technical security measures, every individual within an organisation has a role to play in maintaining a secure environment.
Cybersecurity extends beyond digital assets. Physical security measures, such as access controls and surveillance, are crucial to prevent unauthorised access to data centres and sensitive areas.
Creating a culture of security where employees understand the importance of cybersecurity and are proactive in identifying and reporting threats is essential. This cultural shift requires input and leadership from all levels of an organisation.
Myth 6: Macs are immune to malware
In the past, macOS (formerly known as Mac OS X) had a smaller market share compared to Windows, and its Unix-based architecture was perceived as more secure. This led to a belief that Macs were less susceptible to malware because they were less targeted by attackers.
As Macs have gained popularity, particularly in the consumer and business sectors, they have become more attractive targets for cybercriminals. An increase in market share has led to a rise in the number of malware and phishing campaigns targeting macOS. Cybercriminals have developed malware that can target both Windows and macOS systems. Malicious software is no longer limited to one platform, making Macs vulnerable to certain types of malware.
Furthermore, many cyberattacks, such as phishing and social engineering attacks, do not depend on the operating system. They manipulate human behaviour, tricking users into revealing sensitive information or executing malicious actions, which can affect both Mac and Windows users.
Myth 7: Opening an email can't harm my computer
This myth has its origins in the early days of email and a lack of awareness about email-based threats. When email first became popular, it was primarily used for text-based communication, and malicious email threats were relatively rare. As a result, people developed a sense of trust in email messages.
Malicious actors quickly recognised the potential of email attachments as a vector for malware delivery. Attachments can contain viruses, trojans, ransomware, and other types of malware. Opening such attachments can indeed harm your computer by infecting it.
However, many email-based attacks don't rely on attachments but instead use social engineering tactics to trick recipients into taking harmful actions, such as clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information. These attacks can compromise computer security without the need for file attachments.
Some modern malware is also "fileless," meaning it doesn't leave traditional files or attachments on the system. Instead, it resides in memory, making it harder to detect and spreading through email links or compromised email accounts.
While modern email clients and security measures have improved, users must remain cautious and verify the legitimacy of emails and their attachments or links to avoid falling victim to email-based threats. Cybersecurity awareness and practices are essential for protecting against the various risks associated with email communication.
Myth 8: A firewall protects me from attacks
Firewalls have once been one of the primary security measures used to protect computer networks. They were often seen as a strong defence against external threats because they controlled the flow of network traffic. While they can block or allow specific types of traffic, they do not eliminate all cyber threats. Modern threats can bypass or exploit firewall rules in various ways.
Firewalls are often configured to focus on incoming (inbound) traffic. However, threats can also originate from within an organisation's network or through outbound traffic, which a firewall may not block if the traffic appears legitimate.
A poorly configured firewall can provide a false sense of security. Misconfigurations, such as overly permissive rules or unpatched firmware, can create vulnerabilities. With the widespread use of encryption, especially HTTPS, firewalls may have limited visibility into the content of encrypted traffic, making it difficult to inspect for malicious activity.
While firewalls are an important security component, they should be part of a layered security strategy that includes intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), endpoint protection, user education, and other measures to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats.
Myth 9: Cybersecurity is too expensive for small businesses
While investing in cybersecurity measures can be costly, the cost of a data breach or cyberattack is often much higher. There are cost-effective solutions available for smaller businesses.
The cybersecurity landscape can be complex, with numerous tools, technologies, and services available. Small business owners and decision-makers may feel overwhelmed by the variety of options and assume that they need expensive solutions.
Many cybersecurity solutions are designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and are priced accordingly. These solutions can provide adequate protection without breaking the bank.
Investing in cybersecurity measures can be far more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of a cyberattack. The financial and reputational costs of data breaches, ransomware attacks, or other incidents can be substantial.
Myth 10: If data is in the cloud, it's secure by default
Cloud service providers often promote the security features of their platforms, emphasising the robustness of their data centres, encryption capabilities, and access controls. These marketing efforts can give users the impression that their data is automatically secure once it's in the cloud.
In reality, cloud security operates under a shared responsibility model. While cloud providers are responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure (e.g., servers, data centers), users are responsible for securing their data, applications, and configurations within the cloud environment.
Misconfigured cloud resources, such as improperly configured storage buckets, databases, or firewall rules, are common causes of data breaches. These are the responsibility of cloud users, not the provider.
When using third-party applications or services within the cloud, users should assess and ensure the security of these applications, as vulnerabilities in third-party software can affect data security.
Users must actively manage and secure their data, applications, and configurations within the cloud environment to ensure comprehensive protection against cyber threats.
Final thoughts
We are such heavy users of technology that some cybersecurity myths might seem like immutable truths. This means systems, devices, and data centres are more vulnerable to attacks and threats.
Cybersecurity is essential, and fighting some of these myths is of the utmost importance. Users have a shared responsibility with IT teams, technology providers and managers in maintaining data protection.
By debunking these myths, companies will be more prepared to cover problem areas and prevent breaches.
