Since password hackers have carried out a considerable number of “successful intrusions”, Google has advised the majority of its 2.5 billion Gmail users to reset their passwords and improve account security.
Users are being advised to adopt additional security measures, such as two-factor authentication, if they haven’t already, and to keep a close eye out for any unusual activity.
Common Hacking Tactics Targeting Gmail
Hackers frequently obtain Gmail passwords by fooling users into disclosing their two-factor authentication codes or by sending emails with links to phoney sign-in sites. According to Google research, barely one-third of users update their strong, one-of-a-kind passwords on a regular basis.
Google’s Advice for Stronger Account Protection
In addition, Google has urged users to strengthen their security procedures following a hack of its own Salesforce database. Google issued a warning in June that malicious actors were using social engineering attacks to fool people by pretending to be IT support staff members.
What Data Was Exposed?
The company claimed that this tactic was “particularly effective in tricking employees.” Although the hacking technique may be utilised for more severe attacks in the future, it primarily compromised publicly accessible data, such as contact information for small and medium-sized enterprises.
In a blog post published in June, Google stated that it thinks threat actors that use the “ShinyHunters” brand might be getting ready to establish a data leak site (DLS) in order to intensify their extortion efforts. It went on to say that these new strategies, which include those connected to the recent UNC6040 Salesforce data breaches, are probably meant to put more pressure on victims.
Who Are the ShinyHunters?
On August 8, it sent out an email to all users affected by this event. Originating from the Pokémon franchise, ShinyHunters was founded in 2020 and has since been connected to multiple high-profile hacks of companies such as Microsoft, AT&T, Santander, and Ticketmaster.
Google Blocking Unverified APKs from 2026
A big update that Google has revealed for Android might drastically affect how apps are deployed on the platform. The business will mandate that verified developers register all apps on certified Android devices beginning in September 2026. Users will no longer be able to sideload programs from unidentified or unconfirmed sources as a result.
Why Google Is Tightening App Security
Google claims that this action is intended to improve security and lower the possibility of malware, which is frequently distributed by hackers using APKs. The goal of the new regulation, according to Google, is “improving Android’s security to keep it open and safe.” The business contends that requiring developers to authenticate themselves will provide the ecosystem a crucial new level of accountability.
Quick
Shots
•Hackers carried out “successful
intrusions” into Gmail accounts.
Hackers allegedly stole over $230 million in customer holdings, or about half of the platform’s reserves, from WazirX, one of the country’s main cryptocurrency enterprises. This was one of the worst hacks on an Indian exchange. This event demonstrates the difficulty in securing Bitcoin exchanges and their subsequent heightened vulnerability to hacking attempts on a global scale.
A “force majeure event” that was “beyond its control” was what WazirX referred to as the security breach. A number of deposits have been stopped and the affected wallets have been contacted to facilitate recovery. The business said in a statement that it is in communication with top-tier resources that can assist with the undertaking.
“Our preliminary investigations show that one of the self-custody multi-sig smart contract wallets created outside of the Liminal ecosystem has been compromised. We can confirm that Liminal’s platform is not breached and Liminal’s infrastructure, wallets and assets continue to remain safe,” the company stated in its official statement.
Comprehensive Action Taken by the Company
Police are currently reviewing a physical complaint and the online report submitted through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Along with CERT-In and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) India, the company has reported the incident.
The listed addresses were blocked after proactive outreach to 500+ exchanges. In order to aid in its recovery efforts, the company is actively collaborating with the many exchanges that are cooperating with it.
Recruiting a team of cybersecurity professionals to aid in the company’s probe and restoration operations.
Set up a bounty program to get back the stolen property. If anyone has information that can help freeze and retrieve the stolen cash, then that person could win up to $10,000. A White Hat Bounty of up to $23 million, or 10%, is what the company is proposing.
It has temporarily disabled the ability to deposit or withdraw INR or cryptocurrency to guarantee the security of your valuables.
The company has chosen to halt all trading operations, despite its earlier warning about partial collateralization of assets. The company will thoroughly inspect the security measures in place, review the impacted systems and forensic data, and then resume normal operations.
Next Step to Keep Its Customers Updated With Recent Developments
The complete impact and recovery methods will be understood and determined by the company’s analysis of all forensic evidence in collaboration with experts.
WazirX is making great strides to facilitate the withdrawal of funds. It values its clients’ understanding while it navigates this intricate issue, as processes such as security audits and forensic analysis take time.
As the project develops, the company will keep its clients aware of its status through frequent updates.
In an increasingly interconnected world, where online tools and services play an integral role in both our personal and professional lives, password security has become a critical concern. From social media accounts to financial platforms and email services, passwords serve as the first line of defense for protecting our sensitive information.
However, with the growing number of online accounts and services, the task of managing passwords has become a daunting challenge for many. In response to this dilemma, password managers have emerged as indispensable tools that simplify and fortify our digital security. A password manager streamline the process by storing all passwords in one secure account. Notable features include generating random passwords, easy access to multiple accounts, convenient autofill, and secure password sharing.
Studies have shown that the majority of people use very weak passwords and reuse them on different websites. In fact, nearly 35% are using the same password for most of their online logins. The best password managers are the ones which are easy to use and let you manage all your online passwords in a protected and easier way.
In this blog, we delve into the world of password managers to explore the top solutions available today. Discover how these innovative tools not only generate robust and unique passwords but also streamline access to multiple accounts, offer autofill convenience, and ensure secure password sharing. Our curated list of the best password managers will empower you to take control of your online presence and protect your valuable data with ease.
Top 10 Reliable Password Managers
Password Managers are very useful for protecting and managing multiple passwords for different platforms in a unified and centralized place.
Let’s look at some of the Top password Managers of 2023.
RoboForm is the password safety solution. Its powerful admin panel centralizes the password of employees. Enjoy the benefits of automated password management and secure your system from external and internal threats.
It not only securely stores your passwords from different sites but also keeps them up-to-date and organized. You only need to create a master password for Roboform to access and manage all the passwords.
The master password is not stored on the server to ensure security. You can easily create your account within 2 minutes and onboard your employees, assign the desired roles and permission.
Pros:
More than 6 million users and 10 thousand companies are using it
Secure, intuitive, and easy-to-use interface
AES-256-bit encryption for password creation, storing and sharing
Cons:
The pricing structure for the business plan is messed up
Dashlane is a robust and powerful password manager that helps to store, share, and use your passwords with full security. An automatic password manager is vital for the security, productivity, and profitability of the business. It eliminates weak, reused, and vulnerable passwords. It auto-fills the password whenever you or your employee needs it.
Security is the most promising feature of this software, it even removes all your databases from their side when you leave Dashlane.
Its password generator tool generates very strong passwords for you and reminds you to update the vulnerable password for better security.
NordPass is a password manager that stores all your sensitive information like passwords, credit card credentials, and other information on its secured server. It uses a zero-knowledge architecture to ensure all the data is stored in an encrypted form in the Nordpass vault.
To ensure an additional layer of security, it uses multi-factor authentication. So, to login into your account, you also need to prove your identity after entering the master password.
Easily add members to your account and allow them to use the passwords based on the roles you’ve assigned. You have the power to remove any user from the list at any time. To auto-generate strong passwords, you can play with settings, like you can set the number of characters, digits, special characters, and capital letters. A combination of all these characters will create a much stronger password for you.
Pros:
More than 2.5 million users and 1500 companies worldwide are using it
XChaCha20 encryption
Monitor your account in real-time to prevent data breaches
The auto lock system automatically locks the password manager after a set amount of time
A password manager is a need for any business to securely save and use its sensitive information, and LastPass helps in this regard. Now you do not need to remember all the passwords, you only need to remember one password, which is the password for LastPass. Generate as much stronger passwords as you can and access them in a single click.
It significantly removes the burden of remembering complicated passwords for hundreds or thousands of sites. Auto-fill your form and password in a single click with full security.
Add all other notes securely into your LastPass vault and get access to it anytime, anywhere. Easy accessibility on all major web browsers and mobile devices.
Pros:
Access your Lastpass vault using Lastpass authentication without entering the master password
Dark web monitoring
Get alerts when there is any risk of a data breach
Multi-factor authentication and AES-256-bit encryption
Cons:
For some websites, auto-fill doesn’t work properly
1Password, As the name suggests, you only need to remember one password and you become eligible to login into different sites. It makes it easy to organize your secure information and autofill the password on the websites.
Extension for all the major web browsers and mobile apps for iOS and Android makes it easier to use it on any device. Whenever you sign up for a new account, you can generate a strong password using a password generator of 1Password. After the sign-up process, it will automatically save this password in a vault for future login.
Apart from saving and using the password, you can also save your personal information and credit card information for fast filling out the personal information form and payment form.
Pros:
Checks weak and compromised passwords and suggests changes
It regularly removes the password from the clipboard to ensure the safety
AES-256-bit encryption
The secure remote password helps to authenticate your master password without sending it over the Internet
Cons:
The price is comparatively high
Doesn’t allow you to move items from one vault to another directly
Headquartered in Canada, a member of the 5 eye alliance
Bitwarden is an open-source password management tool. It is always a better option to conduct a self-assessment of every product before making the final decision. Bitwarden does provide all the essential features of a password manager but there are some security metrics you need to analyze.
Bitwarden’s AI analyzes the vault and looks for weak, reused, and vulnerable passwords to make them even stronger. Since there are always some ups and downs when we compare different products under the same niche, we need to go through all the features.
It provides its plan for individuals as well as businesses to improve their privacy and security. It conducts an extensive list of audits which puts it slightly on the upper side of the competition.
Pros:
Open source code is available to view the vulnerability at all times
Zero-knowledge architecture
Conduct third-party compliance with privacy shield, GDPR, and CCPA
Cons:
Less appealing user interface
A limited number of bitwarden users share confidential information
Bitwarden’s headquarter is in California, which is a member country of the 5 eyes alliance
Keeper is a fully cloud-based secret manager. It securely stores all your secret information like API keys, database passwords, certificates, SSH keys, or any other confidential data. Each secret in the vault is encrypted with an AES-256-bit key and each key is further encrypted with AES. It empowers the employee to access the credential, anywhere, anytime.
One timeshare feature of the keeper helps to share confidential information without account creation. Information is shared via a secured link which automatically expires after the time you set, one can access the files on only one device.
It is a boon for IT companies to secure their database, programming, and other file passwords and easily use them on the go. Millions of users and thousands of enterprises are already using Keeper to store their passwords and other confidential information.
Pros:
Access Manager to assign role-based access and permission
Zero-knowledge and cloud-based infrastructure
Integration with all IT slack
Dark web monitoring
Separate vault for family members
Dev-ops secret management
Cons:
The free plan is not available
Slow customer support
Pricing Plans
Plan
Price
Business Starter
$2.99/user/month
Business starter
$3.75/user/month
Enterprise
Custom Quote
Zoho Vault
Website
www.zoho.com/vault
Rating
4.6/5
Free Trial
Available
Platform Supported
Web, Android, iPhone/iPad
Best For
Businesses and Enterprises Users
Zoho Vault | Best Password Managers
Zoho Vault is the software provided by the very popular software solution provider, Zoho. It is a password manager that helps to store your passwords, documents, credit card information, SSH keys, and much more.
All the sensitive information is stored in the Zoho data center in encrypted form with AES-256-bit encryption. Because of advanced security features, affordable price, and ease of use, Zoho Vault is a winner of Editor choice password manager.
Whenever the user demands the password, it decrypts the password on the client side. Your master password is only yours, even Zoho doesn’t store it.
Pros:
Host proof hosting security pattern
Free forever plan with a comprehensive list of features
No storage limitations
Availability of innovative browser extensions and app
LogMeOnce is a US-headquartered company that offers password management services. Apart from other software in this industry, it has a patented QR-based login system. While other providers ask for a master password to log into the account, it offers multiple login options like QR, Selfie, Face, fingerprint, Pin, Password, and Azure. Cloud storage encryption is the additional feature provided by this software that encrypts the files and stored content on the cloud storage sites.
mSecure password manager offers flexibility and security at the same time. Equipped with the bank-level security standard your password and sensitive information are fully secured. You get all the required features you expect from any password manager app, plus some additional features like adding tags to your records and intelligent syncing.
It provides flexibility to share the data which you want to share by creating a separate vault. You can permit users to view, edit, share, or download the shared data.
Some sites like Dropbox ask to scan a QR code for verification when 2FA is on. With mSecure, when you scan this code with a one-time password field, then you can use mSecure to authenticate your Dropbox account in the future.
Pros:
Secure cross-account sharing
Biometric unlock for all platforms
Industry-standard AES-256-bit encryption
Intelligent password syncing via mSecure cloud, Dropbox, iCloud, or wifi.
Data merge feature while restoring a backup
Cons:
One can share passwords with only other mSecure users
Update related issues
Pricing Plans
Plan
Price
Essential
$1.99/month
Premium
$2.99/month
Family
$5.99/month
Teams
$23.90/month
Conclusion
Embracing a reliable password manager is no longer an option but a necessity in today’s digital landscape. As we explored the top contenders in the world of password management, it became evident that these tools offer a seamless and secure way to protect your online presence.
With the ability to generate and store strong, unique passwords, effortlessly access multiple accounts, and enhance your overall digital security, password managers empower you to take control of your online life. They serve as an invaluable shield against data breaches, identity theft, and other cyber threats that could have severe consequences on both individuals and organizations.
As you embark on the journey of selecting the best password manager for your needs, consider the unique features, user-friendliness, and compatibility with your devices and platforms. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your digital life is well-guarded is priceless.
FAQs
What is password manager?
Password managers are tools that securely store and manage all your passwords in one place.
Why do I need password manager?
Password manager eliminates the need to remember multiple passwords and enhances your digital security by generating strong and unique passwords for each account.
What are the best password managers?
The best password managers to protect your passwords are as follows
Roboform
Dashlane
NordPass
LastPass
1Password
Bitwarden
Keeper
Zoho Vault
LogMeOnce
mSecure
Is a password manager worth it?
Password managers are the safest way to keep track of your passwords, as they allow you to use stronger passwords without needing to memorize anything.
What is the best free password manager?
Bitwarden is one of the best free password managers. It’s available across iOS and Android. It also has native desktop applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also integrates with every major browser including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
Are password managers safe to use?
Yes, password managers use advanced encryption and security measures to protect your passwords. Reputable password managers employ industry-standard encryption protocols to safeguard your data from unauthorized access.
How do password managers generate strong passwords?
Password managers utilize complex algorithms to create strong, random passwords that are difficult for hackers to crack.
What should I consider when choosing the right password manager for my needs?
When selecting a password manager, consider factors such as security features, user-friendliness, cross-platform support, compatibility with your devices, and the reputation of the provider.
The digital world has made our life easier and faster. Nowadays, anything is possible with just a click or a touch. It wouldn’t be wrong to say, that our life revolves around the internet. Every business, organisations, and companies are on the internet. However, with the increase in the use of the internet in the world, we have seen a drastic increase in cybercrime as well. Many organisations and faced cyber-attacks on them.
Firstly we need to understand what a cyber-attack is. A cyber-attack can be defined as a malicious activity or planned attempt by any organization or an individual to steal or corrupt the information of the system of another organization or individual. Cybercriminals or hackers generally use various methods to attack the system; some of them are malware, ransomware, phishing, denial of service, and other methods. In this article, we will talk everything about India being the third most cyber-attacked nation and what steps the Government has taken. So, let’s take a look at them.
Cyber attacks are done in many forms by criminals and hackers and some of them are defined below:
Malware
Malware can be known as malicious software, which includes spyware, viruses, worms, and ransomware. Malware violates laws and launches a network through a vulnerability, generally happens when a person clicks on a minacious link or email attachment that then installs the risky software into your system without your permission. Once this software attacks your system, the malicious software can manage to do things such as install some more malicious and additional harmful software, can obtain and spy on all the information present on the hard disk, can disrupt some components of the system, and can block your access to manage some important components of a computer network.
Phishing
It is a cyber-crime in which a target receives an Email, telephonic call, or a text SMS by someone who pretends to be a lawful organization or institute to lure the targets into providing essential data and sensitive information such as banking details, credit cards, and debit card details, personal information, and various account passwords. Then these details are used by the attacker to access the information-which can further result in financial loss, cyberbullying, cyber blackmailing, and identity theft.
Man-In-The-Middle Attack
This cyber-attack is also known as eavesdropping, takes place when attackers insert themselves in between transactions of two-party. Once the attacker interrupts the traffic, they can rectify and steal information. On less secure public Wi-Fi, attackers can indulge themselves between a visitor device and the network through the same Wi-Fi connection. Without having an idea, the user passes all information through the attacker- after the malware reaches inside the device, the attacker can install malicious software to steal all of the victim’s data.
Denial-Of-Service Attack
DoS is a cyber-attack that is meant to shut down a server, network, and machine by making them inaccessible to the right users. DoS floods the target with traffic, or it just sends irrelevant information that triggers a crash of the server or network. Sometimes attackers can also use multiple compromised devices to attack. This is known as Denial-of-service (DoS).
SQL Injection
Structured Query Language Injection is a cyber-attack that takes place when the attackers insert the malicious coding inside the server that takes over the SQL and forces the system server to disclose the crucial information and data. SQL Injection destroys the database, and the attacker can modify or delete the data stored in the database, causing persistent changes to the application behavior or content.
DNS Tunneling
It is the most damaging DNS attack. Domain Name Systems turns into a hacking weapon. DNS tunneling is a cyber-attack where the hacker or attacker encodes the information of other protocols or programs in DNS queries and responses. DNS tunnelling generally holds data payloads-which can be added to an attacked DNS server and is used to control applications and remote servers.
Reasons Behind Cyber Attacks
There are several reasons why these cyber attacks take place and they are:
To gain business financial details.
To gain customer financial information (for example- Bank details).
To gain product design or trade secrets.
To gain login credentials and email addresses of various customers or staff.
Cyber-warfare: It is a war caused by the Internet to leak information.
Biggest Cyber Attacks in India
SIM Swap Scam
In Mumbai, two hackers were arrested for transferring almost 4 crore rupees from various bank accounts in August 2018. They illegally transferred money from the bank accounts of numerous individuals just by gaining SIM card information. Both the hackers blocked individual SIM cards, and with the support of fake documentation, they pulled out transactions with the help of online banking. Various company accounts were also on the target.
Hacking of Indian Healthcare Websites
In 2019, Health Care websites became the target of cyber-attack. As confirmed by US-based cybersecurity firms, hackers broke in and invaded a leading India-based healthcare website. The hackers were able to steal the information of about 68 lakh patients as well as doctors.
Hacking of UIDAI Aadhaar Software
In 2018, around 1.1 billion Aadhaar cardholders’ personal information was breached. According to data by UIDAI, more than 210 websites leaked the essential Aadhar details online. Data leaked included Aadhaar, mobile numbers, PAN, bank account numbers, IFSC codes, and mostly all the personal data of all individual Aadhaar cardholders. If it was not quite shocking, some anonymous hacker was selling the Aadhaar information of individuals for 500 rupees through WhatsApp.
ATM System Hacked
In 2018, cyber attackers targeted the ATM servers of Canara Bank. Almost around 20 lakh rupees were stolen from various accounts of Canara Bank account holders. There were around 50 targets estimated according to information provided by the source. The cyber attackers were able to steal the ATM details of around more than 300 account holders. Hackers were using skimmed devices to wipe out the information from debit cardholders. The transactions made by hackers from various accounts amounted from 10,000 rupees to a maximum amount of 40,000 rupees.
Cosmos Bank Cyber Attack in Pune
Attacked by hackers in the year 2018. The cyber-attackers pulled off almost 94.42 crore rupees from Cosmos Cooperative Bank, which shook the entire banking sector of India. Hackers were able to steal huge amounts by hacking the ATM server of the Bank and gathering the information of debit cardholders and visa details. Hackers from around 28 countries immediately withdrew all the money as soon as they were informed.
Global Weekly Cyber Attacks per Organisation
Steps Taken by Indian Government
To counter these attacks, the Government of India has taken a few steps to secure companies and organisation from being victim.
Personal Data Protection Bill
The bill implies the processing and storage of any critical data related to individuals living only in India. It majorly states that the sensitive and essential personal information of the individual should be stored locally; however, it can only be processed abroad under some terms and conditions. The bill also focuses on making social media companies more accountable and urging them to solve issues related to the spread of irrelevant and offensive content on the internet.
Website Audit
Surrounded by the rising number of government website hacking, data theft, email phishing, and privacy breach cases in India, the Indian government has taken initiatives to conduct an audit on all of the websites and applications of the government. Under this initiative by the Indian government, around 90 security auditing organizations have been enlisted by the government for auditing the best practices of information security of the Indian government data.
CERT-In
The advancing Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which is responsible for operating the national agency for handling cybersecurity, has helped in decreasing the rate of cyber-attacks on government networks and servers in India. The implementation of cybersecurity awareness and anti-phishing training across Indian government organizations and agencies has assisted employees working in technological department of government sectors in fighting cybercrimes. Apart from spreading awareness of the hazard caused by phishing attacks to the public, CERT-In has issued advisories and alerts regarding the latest cyber countermeasures and vulnerabilities to counter and tackle them.
Cyber Surakshit Bharat
India aims to strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem in coordination with the government’s vision for making Digital India. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has come up with the Cyber Surakshit Bharat movement. This program is in association with the National e-Governance Division of India. Indian governance system has transformed digitalization rapidly; therefore, the requirement of good governance is important. With such an initiative by the government, there would be an increase in awareness against cybercrime and building the capacity for securing the CISOs and the frontline IT staff across all government organizations in India. Apart from just awareness, the first public-private partnership also includes a series of some workshops to make government employees fight against cybercrimes and help professionals with cyber security health tool kits to take down cyber threats.
Conclusion
Cyber-attacks have now become a weapon to launch attacks on different organisations. Mainly they are done to attain secrets of organisations or Governments. Unfortunately, because of this India has become prone to cyber-attack and in 2020, it recorded 1.16 million breaches alone. Some steps have been taken to counter these attacks, however more and more strong cyber security is needed.
FAQs
Which countries get cyber attacked the most?
Top 3 countries that cyber attacked the most are:
Japan
Australia
India
What do you mean by Cyber Attacks?
A cyber-attack can be defined as a malicious activity or planned attempt by any organization or an individual to steal or corrupt the information of the system of another organization or individual.
Which country is the best for cybersecurity?
Sweden has suffered the lowest rate of malware infection. It is considered as one of the best country with cybersecurity.
With the advent of digitalization, the rise in threats of cyber-attacks comes in. We have reported large figures in cases relating to cyber-attacks both in the corporate sector and among individuals as well.
Cyber-attacks have played a major role in bringing cyber insurance to the core. Cases of rising cyber fraud are not only limited to companies but also individuals. Therefore, cyber insurance is a considerable option.
An immense rise in the cyber insurance market has been seen globally. The figures are estimated to reach USD 20 billion by 2025. Indian base for cyber insurance is around Rs. 500-700 crores.
Several cyber insurance providers cyber insurance to cover individuals and companies as well. A few cybercrimes coverage included in the cyber insurance policy are social media liability, cyberstalking, IT theft loss, cyber extortion, and many others.
A majority of cases reported globally and in India are related to e-mail based attacks, malware or ransomware, and phishing attacks.
The term cyber insurance is synonymous with cyber risk insurance and cyber liability insurance coverage. A cyber insurance policy helps an organization to continue to run even in case of a security breach. It acts as a friend in disguise that offers a helping hand in times of crisis.
Cyber insurance acts as a helping hand to mitigate the exposure of risk by offsetting the costs involved as it consists of various policies of recovery in case of a breach regarding cyber security.
Why is Cyber Insurance a Must for Every Company?
The reports of Ponemon Institute’s Cost of a Data Breach says that data breach costs $3.9 million on average. It includes remediation, continuity costs, fees, etc.
Cyber insurance comes into light as a friend in disguise that assures an organization needs not to bear all these costs alone. Cyber insurance helps to get prepared to respond effectively in case of a data breach.
The 2019 survey report by Marsh and Microsoft mentions that about 47% of businesses have cyber insurance cover. Apart from this, 89% of businesses are in confidence that their cyber insurance policies cover the costs of any cyber event that might occur. These stats depict an increasing number of organizations buying cyber risk insurance.
Cyber risk insurance is important for risk mitigation. A single cyber-attack on an unprepared company can put it totally out of business. Therefore, the implementation of a cyber risk management program is a must for all small and big organizations. The program must include at least the following three things:
Notices the risks to which an organization might be exposed to
Helps a company prevent breaches
Helps the company to recover from a possible breach
Following are a few reasons that make cyber insurance a must-have:
Not only the big businesses but also the small companies are targeted by hackers. Small businesses are at a greater risk instead, as they do not have proper financial resources to bounce back after a cyber attack or data breach.
Data is a critical business asset that must be protected. The value of data is as important as the device in which it is stored. A cyber policy offers coverage for data restoration in the event of a breach of data.
The organization might face harsh penalties in case of loss of credit card data. According to stats, credit card crime is a $7.5 billion industry worldwide and growing. Even the smallest retailers are exposed to this risk.
A ransomware attack, a computer virus, or an untrustworthy employee may shut systems down; a cyber insurance policy can cover your losses including the compromise with the data or the device in which it is stored.
Cyber insurance also covers costly claims such as defamation, breach of information, copyright infringement, etc.
Cyber Insurance policy offered by the companies ensures public trust and a reason to the customers to remain connected and save a large number of future sales resulting from customers that the company might lose to its competitors.
To ensure financial safety against any kind of cyber fraud, as any kind of breach ultimately leads to a lot of expense. Insurance companies offer cyber insurance policies that also cover any sort of monetary loss.
Any business venture that stores data online or in any way use technology is at risk of a cyber-attack. The outcomes can be shattering. Stats mention that the average cost to resolve a data breach issue is about $7 million.
Cyber insurance helps the company recuperate after a data breach. It is an essential option that includes costs of business interruptions, legal fees, revenue loss, public relations expenses, equipment damages, and legal costs. Cyber insurance plays a vital role in shielding the organization in the long run before a breach occurs.
With Indian businesses getting online, cyber insurance in India is the need of the hour with the proliferating cases of online breaches. Cyber frauds have taken a higher jump during the Covid-19. It has experienced a rise with the increase in digital payments.
Cybercrime is the world’s fastest-growing crime, cyber insurance is the solution.
FAQs
What is cyber insurance?
Cyber insurance is insurance that covers your liability and protects your company from Internet-based risks.
What are the benefits of cyber insurance?
Cyber insurance provides Data breach coverage, Legal support, and protects you from phishing, email spoofing.
What do cyber insurance policies cover?
Most cyber insurance covers any data that has been lost, damaged, stolen or corrupted due to the security breach.
There’s a reason why the term “dark web” sounds ominous. The dark web is a part of the internet you can’t find with your regular browser. To access it, you need one designed for uncovering these hidden sites. The dark web is a hidden area of the internet where people and businesses can go anonymously to buy illegal drugs, guns or other criminal activity.
Do you know what businesses happen on the dark web?, You’re probably thinking of things like stolen company data, pirated software, and password lists when you think of what sells on Dark Web markets. But that’s not even close to the complete picture of what’s going on in the Dark Web – and what you don’t know could be the catalyst for the next onslaught. Let’s see what all “actually” happens on the Dark Web.
The dark web is a dangerous place where you can buy or sell almost anything. Drugs, Guns, counterfeit money, other people’s Netflix accounts, credit card details, and other items can be purchased and sold on the dark web.
You can also get software that allows you to log into other people’s computers. Data, passwords, and hacking services aren’t the only things sold on the Dark Web. Weapons, narcotics, stolen items, plundered artefacts, illegal commodities, endangered animals, slave labour, and child pornography are among the dangerous, unlawful, and nasty entities that can’t sell openly, as well as innocent but weird things that you wouldn’t anticipate.
The dark web, though, isn’t just for criminals. You’ll also find online editions of long-out-of-print books, a collection of political reporting from mainstream news sites, sometimes journalists use it so their sources can remain unknown and several whistleblower websites dedicated to exposing corporate and government misconduct.
The dark web is the most notable place for buying drugs. A good example is ‘Silk Road’, the go-to destination when looking up illegal substances on Tor. Still, it wasn’t always this way—the original version of Silk Road was shut down back in 2013. The FBI took action after the only one-year operation due to too many reports about shady deals being made under its name, which further investigated several alleged crimes committed against both users/buyers.
Firearms
A study by Rand Corporation in 2019 found that it’s relatively easy to find firearms for sale on the dark web, and almost 60 percent of all listings are advertising products originating within the US. Europe represents a more significant market compared with America as they generate revenues five times greater than those in the US. This means there is an ample supply both domestically and internationally.
Password and Usernames for Streaming sites
You may be able to find the passwords for some of the most popular streaming services on dark websites. Cybercriminals sell these login details so that people who want a subscription without paying can use them instead. Passwords and usernames for platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime, and others are commonly available.
Credit And Debit Card Details
Criminals sell Credit and Debit card information for others to commit crimes. They’ll use these numbers and charge them on something without permission, like online shopping platforms or make an unauthorised withdrawal or payments. According to a report by Gemini Advisory, in 2020, posted 115 million stolen debit and credit card details were to the dark web.
Bank Account Details
A cyber security firm Digital Shadows conducted a survey, and according to it, online marketplaces currently sell over 15 billion pieces of financial account information. According to the research, banking and financial accounts made up about a quarter of the internet ads.
After purchasing your bank account information, fraudsters may do a lot of damage. They can make purchases with your account and quickly deplete your savings or checking accounts.
Legitimacy
Cybercriminals aren’t the only ones who want to remain anonymous online. Consumers increasingly use Tor and other anonymous web browsers to conduct simple online searches. As more consumers begin to get tailored adverts based on their web searches, the importance of keeping their search habits private will become evident.
Threat Intelligence
Collaboration and sharing of information are also facilitated via Dark Web exchanges. Cybersecurity professionals watch chat rooms where sophisticated opponents frequently debate hacking concepts. Security analysts can learn about new and emerging risks by listening to these chats.
To monitor and analyse assaults, several firms deploy threat intelligence and mitigation platforms. They can protect against attacks on their assets and applications using information obtained on the Dark Web and keep up with new vulnerabilities being marketed in underground marketplaces.
Dark Analytics
While organisations aiming to obtain unindexed data from the Dark Web face risks, the benefits of anonymity enable them to gain hitherto untapped business, consumer, and operational insights by studying unstructured, concealed, or unprocessed data.
Companies utilise new search tools designed to assist users in targeting scientific research, activist data, or even hobbyist forums in the same way that security organisations watch exchanges for dangerous intelligence.
Dark data can be found in various places, including on the Dark Web. Enterprises are figuring out how to harness this trove of untapped information from many sources to inform business decisions.
Security leaders must understand who uses the Dark Web, why they use it, and how the data they acquire can affect the security posture of their firm. But there’s also plenty of legal material on this corner that you might find fascinating too. The dark web is an excellent place to get medical advice that you want anonymous.
FAQ
What kind of services are on the dark web?
One can find drugs, firearms, credit and debit card details, and passwords.
Is the dark web illegal?
Surfing on the dark web is not illegal but purchasing illegal items from the dark web can land you in trouble.
With the rise of sophistication in computing and a huge threat in the cyber domain, Ethical Hacking has become important. Also, cyber security needs to be very much strengthened. The ultimate test of cyber security is penetration test or ethical hacking. In this, hackers try hacking the system with various methods and see if the system will get hacked or not.
This is why ethical hacking companies are of great importance in today’s time. They show you the true strength of your software in the practical world. So without much ado, let me start discussing top ethical hacking companies to watch in 2022.
Crowdstrike is a cybersecurity company founded by George Kurtz, Dmitri Alperovitch, and Gregg Marstonone in 2011. It has a cloud-native platform that detects and block threats. It is known for its foolproof hacking methodologies.
2. HackerOne
HackerOne Homepage
HackerOne is a United States-based company that provides various security services in this country. They have one of the best hacking and security experts in their company. Their company works in preventive measures, they help developers build their app hackproof in the development phase. This company works with e-commerce, financial services, and many other companies.
Some of their esteemed clients are Lufthansa Airlines, HBO, Twitter, Spotify, and the US department.
3. Balbix
Balbix Homepage
Balbix is based in San Francisco and works in automating cyber security for different companies. Their speciality is real-time cyber security checks and troubleshooting. They have expertise in data, and insights to deal with real-time attacks. They have services and products which help their clients build robust security systems.
4. Bitglass
Bitglass Homepage
Bitglass has unique cyber security technology that can determine if you are facing a threat by merely looking at your interaction with their software. The most popular product of Bitglass is CASB. This is a security system for remotely working systems. With the rise in Pandemic, remote working is on the rise and this is where this software can come in handy. Their main goal is to safeguard the end computer.
5. Carbon Black
Carbon Black specializes in cloud-native endpoint security systems. Apart from this, they also specialize in workload protection systems. They use behavioural analytics to protect their system. Using its year’s long experience and various insights, it has designed systems by which it can block the most complex cyber-attacks.
Their product VMware Carbon Black Cloud is one of the most popular products. It accesses every abnormal activity and learns it so as to avoid these types of activities in the future.
It is a New England based startup. Sequretek specializes in workload protection. They have designed cyber security technology to keep in mind modern-day security standards.
Sequretek also uses security technology which helps in combatting modern-day attacks. It uses advanced analytics. They have trained their product to detect anomalous behaviour from any user and prevent any further unsafe activity.
7. Security Bulls
Security Bulls Homepage
Security Bulls specializes in penetration testing. Their cyber security testing services and monitoring technology is very advanced. It offers security analysis services to its clients. They also provide you with a risk percentage for your digital asset after analyzing it.
8. Cryptoloc Technology Group
Cryptoloc Homepage
Crpytoloc is based in Brisbane and is known for its advanced cyber security technology. In the ongoing years, it has researched and innovated a lot in the field of cyber security. Due to its amazing technologies, it was named Forbes 20 best cyber security startups in 2020.
It also has a patent registered in encryption-based security systems. This company also provides several platforms to its client companies which makes their work simpler.
9. Cyberint
Cyberint Homepage
Cyberint is an Israel-based company that is known for its robust security systems. They provide all the services which a cyber security system is expected to give. The company provides attack simulation, virtual HumINT operations. They believe in delivering trusted long-term security systems. They devise innovative preventive methods so that their clients can safeguard their digital assets properly.
10. Lightspin
Lightspin Homepage
It was founded in Ra’anana, Israel in 2015. This company is more known for the training it gives to its client employees. They play a crucial role in upskilling its client employee. In this platform, you can specialize in any one of the disciplines in cyber security. Here you can avail yourself of personalized learning and gain a lot of professional insight into the field of cybersecurity.
All of these companies have extraordinary skills in their fields. Each company has a speciality and works diligently in that area. These companies have thought out of the box and have devised special cyber security systems.
FAQs
Which company is best for ethical hacking?
Crowdstrike, Hackerone, BitGlass, and Balbix are some of the top ethical companies.
Who is the best Ethical Hacker in the world?
Kevin Mitnick, Tsutomu Shimomura, Richard Stallman, Charlie Miller, Greg Hoglund, Joanna Rutkowska, and Sherri Sparks are some of the top ethical hackers in the world.
Which country is best for ethical hacking?
China is the top country from where the most security hackers come from.
Startups and small businesses are at serious risk of cybercrime. Ransomware, IoT attacks, DDoS attack and deepfakes are threats to growing companies who lack the professional protection that larger firms may enjoy.
It’s crucial that startups and small businesses invest in IT security to provide the protection they need to power productivity. If you’re struggling to identify where to start, here are 10 ways to set up cybersecurity for startups.
Almost half (46%) of all UK businesses were the victims of cyber-attacks, the Government found in a 2020 survey. Across the world, 53% of small businesses are targeted by hackers and online criminals, says Cisco – and the threat level is increasing.
Of those businesses attacked, 33% experienced a cyber breach once a week in 2020, costing almost £1,000 each time to fix the problem. As well as incurring expenses, companies can suffer from data losses and damage to reputation that can be more difficult to claw back.
While startups may not have established a profile, missing protection makes them easy targets for online criminals. A lack of investment in infrastructure, personal safety, and a robust IT security culture means that startups can be easy pickings for online predators.
The National Cyber Security Centre has created a set of simple guidelines for startups, but these are far too basic for most businesses.
At Syntax, we work with businesses of all sizes to safeguard their IT systems and provide IT security solutions that deliver the highest levels of protection.
Invest in Antivirus protection
While the Government may have recorded a fall in viruses or other malware (from 33% to 16%), strong antivirus software should still be the first investment you make.
Online threats have increased by almost 30% during the Coronavirus pandemic, as digital criminals attempt to take advantage of lapses in online defenses.
Antivirus software acts as a first line in protection, alerting you to threats and safeguarding your systems from identified risks. While it may be tempting to use free antivirus software, avoid it. Investing in a professional antivirus package is the only way to enjoy total peace of mind and protection.
Installing your antivirus software is just the start; you’ll also need to ensure that everyone in your organisation installs updates as soon as they’re released as new threats emerge every day.
Think you’re protected using a Mac? Macworld provides a list of all threats, and it’s growing every day. Whatever platform you use, invest in anti-virus software.
Commit 100% to the cloud
Storing documents and data in the cloud isn’t just convenient; it can be much safer too. As a business owner, you maintain control and oversight of all information. You’ll have an audit trail, too, enabling you to see who is accessing what data and when. It’s easy to generate audit logs in Microsoft 365, providing total transparency.
By using cloud services, you can hopefully avoid dangerous practices, such as saving to a local computer, emailing files through a web-based provider, or using external storage devices such as USB sticks.
An incredible 85% of all data breaches were caused by human error, including poor password protection, Verizon found in its 2021 survey. The problem is your people. A Google survey found that 65% of people used the same passwords for multiple accounts. This gives hackers and online criminals easy access to your systems.
Staff must understand the risks of poor password etiquette, including reusing the same password multiple times. Other simple but common issues include writing passwords down or sharing them with other employees.
Create Professional policies
The Federation of Small Business recommends you create a password policy to ensure staff choose (and don’t reuse) passwords, and we agree. But you should go further. Every startup and small business should develop professional policies to safeguard IT systems.
A strong policy will spell out precisely what you expect of each staff member, including what they shouldn’t access, how to manage data, keep passwords secret and more. An IT policy will also ensure that your organisation adheres to legislation, including GDPR and UK data protection rules.
Restrict Network access
Cloud platforms enable you to set tiered access levels, allowing only those who need the information to access it. This may mean that only your accounts team, for example, can access information on invoices and outgoings.
It’s critical as insider threats – where someone within your organisation intentionally accesses information they should – are on the rise. Research in 2020 found that 60% of all data breaches are caused by insider threats. Don’t give anyone – outside or inside your organisation – a chance.
Safely store sensitive data
Data is likely to be an organisation’s greatest asset and its most significant risk. Protecting data isn’t just a legal duty; an information breach can lead to long-lasting damage to your reputation too.
Cloud storage systems provide extra safety for your data. For example, you can set tiered access, provide password protection and see who has accessed data and when. Secure cloud storage systems are also external to your business and regularly backed up, removing one stress point from your IT security.
Establish a culture of security
We’ve identified that your people are often the weakest link in your IT security, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Establishing a positive security culture ensures that all staff – from the boardroom to the backroom – take IT security seriously.
Each member of staff should understand their role in keeping your startup safe. Installing updates, protecting passwords and identifying potential threats are just some of the ways you can create a culture of IT security.
It’s also critical that staff have the confidence to immediately raise an alert if something goes wrong (and unfortunately, it will).
Have a Recovery backup plan
It’s highly likely that you’ll experience an IT security threat, so we recommend that every startup has a robust disaster recovery plan. Each plan should include details of how you’ll manage your hardware, software and essential systems in a crisis.
The priority here is to ensure the safety of crucial data and to restore systems as soon as possible so you can continue to work.
Using cloud-based systems and software can reduce your time offline, restoring productivity – and profitability – as quickly as possible.
Smaller businesses invest proportionally smaller amounts in IT security than larger firms, stats show. This increases their risk of damaging data breaches and online threats.
Every startup should ensure that IT security is a priority and invest in it. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here; the amount you spend depends on your organisation, systems, and the security risks you face.
Our advice is to regularly review IT security spending and avoid the temptation to cut costs or corners.
Work with a IT partner
Managing IT security is a full-time job, but too many startups struggle to balance priorities, compromising their protection. Working with an experienced partner can prove to be a cost-effective way to manage your IT systems.
Outsourcing support can be cheaper and more effective than in-sourcing the task to an already over-stretched IT team. Experienced providers can deliver 24/7 support and guidance, as well as protecting you from new and emerging threats.
FAQ
Do startups need cybersecurity?
Yes, If you’re a small business or a startup you are vulnerable to hackers and so you should step up your cybersecurity to Keep your startup safe from hackers, data loss and breaches.
What are the 3 major types of cybersecurity?
Cloud Security, Network Security, and Application Security are the 3 major types of cyber security.
Why do small businesses need cybersecurity?
Small businesses should invest in cybersecurity to protect their own business, their customers, and their data from growing cybersecurity threats.
There has been a lot of recent incidents related to data breaches from different companies which include the top companies in and around the country. The most recent data breach was reported by the well-known airline of India, Air India. Let’s look at the information about the data breach faced by the airline.
Air India has conveyed that the data of millions of passengers have been compromised due to a cyber attack and it involves the personal data of the passengers registered between 26 August 2011 and 20 February 2021.
The airline has announced that the data breach had taken place due to a breach from the SITA passenger service system and the data breach involved the information of around 45 lakh passengers.
What is SITA?
SITA is a technology based company which is located in Switzerland. The company specializes in information technology and air transport communications. The country that was started with a 11-member airline now has a customer base of 2,500 customers in more than 200 countries across the globe.
Some of the services offered by the company include reservation systems, passenger processing, etc. In the year 2017 Air India had entered into a deal with SITA to enable the airlines to join Star Alliance by updating its IT infrastructure.
In the month of March, Air India had communicated that SITA had been under a cyberattack in the last week of February which led to the leakage of personal information of its passengers.
The company in a statement had mentioned that the data of around 45 lakh passengers have been compromised due to the cyber attack from across the world. The personal data that were registered in between 26 August 2011 and 20 February 2011 have been compromised.
The company has conveyed that the data that were breached during the cyber attack included the name, date of birth, contact details, passport information, ticket information, frequent flyer data and even the credit card information.
Steps taken by Air India after the Data Breach
The airlines have conveyed that it would launch an investigation into the incident. Other than this they have conveyed that, they have taken steps to secure the compromised servers, engaging certain external specialists of data security incidents, resetting passwords of its frequent flyer programme and contacting the credit card customers.
This data breach would affect you as an individual only if you have used to airline services in between the mentioned dates. The important point is that the credit card information has also been compromised and it can be a threat to your credit card.
However, Air India has assured its passengers that they were no evidence of any misuse of the compromised data, the airline has asked everyone to change the passwords of their confidential data which includes your credit card password and frequent flyer programme.
FAQ
What data got leaked in the Air India data breach?
The personal data of around 45 lakh passengers were leaked, which includes name, date of birth, contact details, passport information, ticket information, frequent flyer data and even the credit card information.
How did Air India faced a data breach?
Air India announced that the data breach had taken place due to a breach from the SITA passenger service system.
Who took over Air India?
Tata Sons Ltd were the frontrunner in acquiring Air India.
Conclusion
Cyberattacks have been reported frequently by different companies and are posing a serious threat towards the privacy of individuals. The rise in digitalization across the globe has led to an increase in the cyber crimes and cyber attacks by the criminals.
Apple has recently released an update to its iPhone’s operating system which consists of app tracking transparency. It is said to have affected Facebook’s business model. Let’s look at what exactly is app transparency and the new update which can be accessed by the Apple users across the globe.
Apple has rolled out a new update to its iPhone users operating system – iOS 14.5. The update features a new batch of emojis according to the current requirement. Other than the emojis the main highlight of the update is the introduction of app transparency in the apps.
This new update is considered very significant for some users whereas less fun for others. This new feature is considered to be a guide of privacy which is user-oriented in the new era.
Not everyone is happy with the new update which is rolled out by Apple especially Facebook. The social media giant’s business model completely depends on tracking the user’s data in order to sell personalized and targeted ads.
The new update provides you with an option to choose whether the mobile applications can track your online habits or not.
Apple’s iPhone is well known for its privacy features in the market. The new update is another step taken by Apple to be recognized globally as the platform for privacy. The new feature which is rolled out by Apple will display a notification that will pop up on the screen.
Apple App Tracking Transparency
The notification will explain what data the mobile application wants to collect from your device and what it intends to do with the collected information. In order to gain the access to the new feature, the users will have to just keep their phone updated and install the new iOS update. On most of the devices, the new feature will get updated automatically.
Once the new feature is updated, the already installed mobile application will display an option on whether you would want to opt in or opt out of the new feature.
How does App Transparency Work
Apple has provided an explanation which says the new update on tracking the transparency of the apps is through an API (Application Programming Interface). The developers use this as a set of programming commands in order to interact with the operating system.
The API will provide the software developers a few functions that is preprocessed. This will allow the developers to request authorization for tracking or check the status of authorization using tracking managers for every single mobile application.
This feature also means that the operating system will have a base location that will store and check on what permissions have been granted to all the applications on the device. The downside of this feature is that there is no physical mechanism that will stop the tracking of a user by the apps.
The transparency of the tracking of apps is a framework of just a pop-up box.
If you choose the option app not to track and if the specified mobile app is using legitimate advertising identifiers on the device then when you choose the option no, the application will set the identifiers of advertising into zero. The apps that honor Apple’s tracking policy will reduce the capabilities of tracking.
But if a mobile app does not honor the tracking policy of apple and is determined to track the user’s activities then they could use different techniques which will help them track the user’s data. This will make it difficult for Apple to detect or prevent the mobile app from tracking the data of the users.
Apple is likely to find out and make it hard for the mobile app developers who would not play by the rules set by Apple. Apple had updated its Guidelines for its App Store recently which is completely concentrated on the developers.
According to the new Guidelines the app developers should receive clear permissions from the users through Apple’s API for tracking the transparency of apps to track the activity of the users.
Why is Facebook objecting it
Facebook has an objection regarding the new operating system update that is rolled out by Apple. Facebook’s major revenue is through the data it collects from its users. The new feature is a threat to the social media giant’s revenue generation as the company’s main source of revenue is through the sales of targeted ads. The revenue Facebook generated through advertisements during the year 2020 was more than USD 80 billion.
FAQ
What is app tracking transparency?
App tracking ensures that any app must ask you for permission before tracking your activity outside of its own app.
What is going on with Facebook and Apple?
Facebook says Apple is attempting to push free apps, which often sweep data up and feed it to advertisers, to move to subscription models.
How will iOS 14 affect Facebook?
Apple’s iOS 14 will affect the way you use Facebook Ads. Going forward, the SKAdNetwork API will be used by Facebook for app advertising on all iOS 14 devices, and this will either restrict, aggregate, or delay all app event data.
Conclusion
Apple’s step is well positioned to delivering the privacy required for its users. However, the feature is optional and the users will have the choice to opt in or out of it. This can not be considered as an end to the advertising of the digital world as we receive free access to all the services because of their advertisements.
