Cybersecurity

As technology’s influence in everyday routine intensifies, cybersecurity threats are taking a sophisticated path to counter us. If we look at our life, starting from waking up to going back to bed, humans use an infinite number of technology gadgets without realizing the number of threat they possess. Despite its popularity, the technology era is also filled with misinformation. The evolving nature of cybersecurity, espoused with mushrooming regulations by government and organizations have opened the door for misunderstanding, which eventually leads to challenges and sometimes, security myths. The world of cybersecurity can be convoluted and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Cybersecurity is a realm where past myth and future hype often weaves together, obscuring what actually has happened and where we really are now. That’s why IndustryWired has listed some of the famous cybersecurity myths and debunked them for you.

Government is watching you through your mobile or laptop camera

This is a very absurd claim that has made its way into people’s mind. People always have a suspicious eye towards governments’ surveillance of them. Not to forget the fact that China is using facial recognition technology and surveillance cameras to track down and monitor its Uighur population. However, it is different in other countries. The story will look very different if the misconception just ends with ‘cybercriminals or hackers watching you through the camera.’ But for a government to put you under constant overview, they first need to get approval from the court. Governments can only do it with legal authority. Therefore, having a vague perception that the government is looking at you all the time is meaningless. Moreover, to encrypt your device from such surveillance tracking, experts suggest installing antivirus.

Antivirus is more than enough to give protection

Hundred percent protection against cyberattack is a myth, whether with or without antivirus. Even if you are a professional and use reliable antivirus software on your computer, you are still vulnerable to cyber threats. There is no assurance that antivirus software can completely protect your device. Technology not just gets sophisticated from a professionals’ point of view. It is the same for cyber criminals as well. They too grow along with technological evolution and learn new methods to enter into your device. Unfortunately, antivirus software can assist in containing the damage from a cyberattack, but it can’t prevent the attack from occurring. Cyber criminals are well-versed in cracking into anti-viral security. So regardless of the protection, you are under, you need to be careful of your online activities.

Cybersecurity breaches are covered by insurance providers

Starting from small to medium and large, every organization is using technology in some way. These businesses must’ve already taken up general insurance services in order to keep their workflow running even in case of mishaps. Therefore, business owners often think that cyberattacks are covered the insurance. Although some insurance companies provide protection for financial loss due to cyberattacks, not all come under that umbrella. Therefore, instead of buying plain insurance and expecting the company to cover your cybersecurity breach cost, look for insurance providers who specifically focus on cyber and data insurance.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is a safe way to protect company info

Bring Your Own Device or BYOD policy is being greatly adopted recently. Many companies, instead of providing company device to employees are asking them to bring their own device to work. Even though it is cost-effective, there are underlying challenges to this. Business owners function with a fake assumption that personal laptops don’t have confidential company details. But what they forget is the critical passwords and login info they carry. Apps with personal data, logins, and business-related stuff are easy to compromise, and every insecure device is just another potential hole in your cybersecurity foundation. Even if employees use personal device despite these issues, they should follow strict guidelines to not compromise company data.

Cybersecurity attacks only happen in IT departments

While IT departments in a business do handle the majority of cybersecurity issues, the threat is not confined to the team alone. Even other departments like business, planning, media, etc, have critical business information that is worth protecting. Therefore, even if it is small, companies should provide cybersecurity training to all employees equally. This will help them not open malicious emails that disguise to be from HR or their manager. Cybersecurity training is a one-time deal to encrypt critical office data.