CYBER ATTACK : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CYBER ATTACK : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEWS : Entrepreneur Elon Musk cited a “massive DDoS attack” for the technical glitches during his recent audio interview with Donald Trump on his social media platform.

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?

1. Cyber Attack

  • Definition:
    • A cyber attack is a malicious and deliberate attempt by an individual or organization to breach the information systems of another individual or organization.
  • Objective:
    • The attacker usually seeks some type of benefit, such as financial gain, data theft, or disruption of services, by compromising the victim’s network or systems.
  • Common Types of Cyber Attacks:
    • Malware: Software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device, service, or network.
    • Phishing: Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications.
    • Man-in-the-Middle Attack (MITM): Intercepting communication between two parties to steal data or inject malicious content.
    • Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack: Overloading a server or network with excessive requests to disrupt services.
    • SQL Injection: Exploiting vulnerabilities in a website’s SQL database to execute malicious SQL code.
    • Zero-Day Exploit: Attacking a system by exploiting unknown vulnerabilities that have not yet been patched by the software provider.
    • DNS Tunneling: Using the DNS protocol to bypass firewalls and gain access to a target’s network.

2. Cyber Security

  • Definition:
    • Cyber security refers to the application of technologies, processes, and controls to protect systems, networks, programs, devices, and data from cyber-attacks.
  • Objective:
    • The primary goal of cybersecurity is to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information by preventing, detecting, and responding to cyber threats.

3. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)

  • Role:
    • CERT-In is the national nodal agency responsible for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur in India.
  • Establishment:
    • CERT-In was established in 2004 and operates as a functional organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
  • Functions:
    • The agency monitors cyber threats, provides incident prevention and response services, issues advisories, and enhances cyber security awareness among stakeholders.

4. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack

  • Definition:
    • A DoS attack is a type of cyber-attack where a website or online service becomes inaccessible because it is overwhelmed by a flood of malicious traffic.
  • Methodology:
    • The attacker directs a large number of users or bots to simultaneously access a target server, overloading it and causing slowdowns or a complete halt in services.
  • Impact:
    • This type of attack can result in significant downtime, loss of revenue, and damage to the organization’s reputation.

5. Suggestions by Experts on Cybersecurity

  • User Training:
    • Experts emphasize the importance of training internet users on the best practices of cybersecurity to ensure safe participation in the digital economy.
    • User awareness is crucial for enabling secure digital transformations and reducing the risk of cyber threats.
  • Security Practices:
    • Authentication Training: Organizations should train users on secure authentication methods, including password management and multi-factor authentication.
    • Regular Password Updates: Users should be required to change passwords frequently to enhance security.
    • Security Alerts: Implementing alerts and warnings before users open potentially malicious links can prevent phishing and other attacks.
  • Compliance and Risk Assessment:
    • Organizations must regularly conduct security risk assessments and ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards to protect their networks and data.
  • Awareness of Security Measures:
    • Users should be informed about security authentication methods like two-factor authorization and the importance of accessing encrypted websites.

6. Significant Developments in Digital Payment Security

  • Transformative Guidelines:
    • The guidelines on digital payment security have undergone significant changes to secure transactions across various platforms.
  • Scope:
    • These rules cover not only payment transactions and applications but also the security of point-of-sale (POS) devices and ATMs.
  • Encryption and Decryption:
    • Ensuring proper encryption and decryption mechanisms on POS devices and ATMs is vital for protecting financial data from cyber threats.

7. Way Forward

  • Cyber Insurance:
    • The emerging field of cyber insurance is gaining importance in the financial services industry as a means of providing coverage for individuals and organizations affected by cyber attacks.
  • Customer Awareness:
    • It is essential to raise awareness among customers about cybersecurity practices during their onboarding process to prevent cyber crimes.
  • Law Enforcement Role:
    • Law enforcement agencies play a crucial role in minimizing cyber crimes through investigation, enforcement, and collaboration with cybersecurity experts.
  • Cohesive Effort:
    • A coordinated approach involving government agencies, private organizations, and individuals is necessary to effectively contain and prevent cyber frauds.

Source :   https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/trump-musk-interview-ddos-attack-9511956/lite/