The world we live in now is technologically advanced. However, a danger arises with technology. As a result, it becomes necessary to comprehend the fundamentals of cyber security. It is much more essential for kids because the threat facing their technical abilities is growing daily. Data theft, financial fraud, phishing, and other cybercrimes are now widespread. The demand for cybersecurity has surged as a result.
What is Cybersecurity?
Let’s take a moment to assimilate some fundamental knowledge regarding cyber security before moving on to the main topic of this article. Data protection has become the cornerstone of our existence, and cybersecurity is the technological process through which gadgets and websites of the utmost significance implement cybersecurity safeguards. The CIA trinity, which stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability, is one of the greatest ways to comprehend the subtleties of cybersecurity. When we discuss secrecy, we mean the condition in which only a particular user group is permitted access to the information. Usually, groups and institutions like the Indian defence forces and others will apply this. This particular set of persons has the authority to change, update, or remove the material at hand thanks to integrity. Accessibility suggests that the system, database framework, etc., should be created in a way that makes them easily accessible. Cybersecurity is crucial if students are to use technology safely and avoid sensitive information from being accessed by uninvited parties.
Common types of cyberattacks:
Each cyberattack is motivated. It could be motivated by money or by a desire for vengeance. A cyberattack may occasionally be concealed as a military technique, while other times it may be more of a political ploy. Cyberattacks may often be very expensive. Therefore, it is crucial to include the types of assaults and the ways they approach your system as one of the technical skills for pupils.
Distributed denial of service, also known as DDoS, man in the middle, email assaults, password attacks, and malware attacks are the main five types of attacks. Let’s get a thorough understanding of each of them.
1. DDoS, or distributed denial of service
Having trouble accessing a website Internet usage? Well, occasionally, internet traffic is generated artificially. A website has a botnet controller that manages every bot that is connected to it. The hacker commands all the bots in the botnet to assault a server or website so that it is swamped with traffic. The hacker considers himself successful as soon as you can’t access a website. This is a distributed denial of service, or DDoS, cyberattack.
2. Man in the Middle
Let’s say you want to make an online payment, so you connect to your bank and complete the transaction. The CVV and payment card information must now be entered in order to complete the purchase. The hacker can impersonate you and see your transaction at that same moment. Your personal information will become available to the hacker as soon as you enter it. This can be referred to as the “man in the middle” and opens the door for financial fraud.
3. Password attack
To break a password, one uses a password assault. Five different types of password attacks exist:
Remember the log table you used in school for calculations involving physics or chemistry? In that they display pre-generated hash values that can be used to decipher passwords, rainbow tables are comparable to log tables in this regard.
A keylogger is a device that records keystrokes made on a keyboard. Using a keylogger, your account information and password can be simply retrieved.
- Dictionary attack: Using this technique, every password is input after being run through a dictionary.
- Brute force – There is no minimum required to login to a profile or start a transaction in this case. It takes a lot of time because you have to try entering every password in this trial-and-error manner.
- Shoulder surfing – is a common practise at cybercafés and other public areas when the hacker peers over your shoulder to your keyboard to see your passwords and account information.
4. Email assault
Three categories can be used to categorise email attacks:
- Phishing: The attacker often sends email as the bait. It incites people to divulge their information. A customer of ABC bank would likely click the link and provide the information. Banks do not send emails like this; these are always phishing scams.
- Spoofing: The attacker sends you an email that claims to be from a respectable company or person while actually coming from another person or organisation. Always ensure that the person sending the email is who he claims to be by asking him one more time.
- Attachments to emails: In this type of attack, the hacker sends you an email with a file attached. Your entire system is compromised the moment you download these attachments.
5. Malware Attack
Malicious software or programmes that damage or impair computers are known as malware. They come in three varieties: Trojan horses, worms, and viruses. They enter your system through documents, online downloads, unsecured network connections, email attachments, and malicious advertisements. They can also enter through removable media like a pendrive or CD.
Make sure you don’t click on any suspicious links or download any dubious attachments or advertisements to protect your system from cyberattacks. Additionally, you can activate the Windows Defense Firewall to shield your system from potential threats and viruses. Nowadays, most users choose antivirus programmes that assist in spotting threats as soon as they attempt to enter the system. The next time you browse the internet, use cautious. So, that’s all the fundamental knowledge a student has to be aware of about cyber security.
Conclusion:
No matter how advanced your child is on the internet, it is your responsibility to make their online presence as safe as possible. Having a sit-down mundane talk will not be very effective, hence it’s recommended to adopt a more fun approach that’s appealing to children. If you try to speak in their language, they are more likely to listen and pay attention.
