Targeted Attack Vs. Untargeted Attack: Knowing The Difference

There are many benefits to understanding as much as you can about cybercriminals. If you want to stay aware of the threats that can be made against your businesses data, then it’s important to know why the threats are being carried out and how they are being carried out.In particular, intentional threats come from cybercriminals who aim to cause your software damage. They are done by malicious people but aren’t always attacks that are specific to you. The two types of intentional threats are targeted attacks and untargeted attacks.Knowing the difference between the two can help you protect your business. Read on to gain all the information you need know:Untargeted AttackThis is the most common and widespread form of intentional threat. The intent to cause damage to people's software is a driving force behind these attacks, but there is no particular person or group that is being targeted. They tend to take the form of malware, worms, and viruses and, for the most part, they are sent out via the Internet. So when you click on an ad by accident that then downloads something to your computer, there is a good chance that there is some form of untargeted cyberthreat occurring.<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2015/04/14/technology/security/cyber-attack-hacks-security/" target="_blank">CNN</a> reported that in 2014, more than 317 million new items of malware were created and distributed. It also stated that it only takes 82 seconds for someone to get tricked into opening an email that contains an untargeted attack. This can seem daunting, but when you learn this type of information, you can recognize where a threat could be lurking and therefore stop yourself from accidentally obtaining it. These types of attacks are very easy to avoid. Don’t click on random ads that pop up on your computer. Don’t open any unfamiliar emails where the source seems questionable. Also, don’t download something unless you’re sure it’s from a secure source. The Internet can be tricky, and it can create a lot of vulnerability, but there are <a href="https://www.anomali.com/blog/">many options</a> out there that help keep your data safe.Targeted AttacksThis type of attack is when a person or a group of people have a specific head they’re trying to hunt. Whenever there is something on the news about a security hack, like a government with files, that is a targeted attack. The aim is to attack a critical infrastructure system. These can be very dangerous to a nation as a whole or to your big business if you have aggressive competitors. It’s most effective when the target aims for only one piece of the specific system they’re targeting.In 2015, 5 out of 6 large companies fell targets to cybercriminals. When it comes to businesses, their goal is to gather as much vital information you’re storing about your company so that they can sell it on the black market. This causes massive amounts of damage to your company while your competitors profit. The main way to prevent this type of threat is by making sure you have an up-to-date cybersecurity system that works for your business. If you understand the idea of a targeted attack and what it means to your business, then you know which cybersecurity features you will need to prevent it. Don’t be fooled, this type of attack isn’t specific to big businesses. It’s all about how <a href="http://www.csoonline.com/article/2866911/cyber-attacks-espionage/why-criminals-pick-on-small-business.html" target="_blank">juicy the data</a> is and how poorly it is protected. So whether you’re a big or small company, it’s important to understand your need for cybersecurity.It is very beneficial to know the difference between a targeted attack and an untargeted attack so you can better understand how to protect your company. Always keep in mind that an untargeted attack is going to be something you yourself will stumble upon on the Internet, but as long as you know what to look out for, you should be okay. A targeted attack, on the other hand, is something that is specifically aimed at you or your company. Therefore, you need to make yourself unattractive to these cyberthieves. To do that, you must maintain a strong cybersecurity network and make sure your important data is kept safe.Want to learn more about how to build a threat intelligence program? 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