Falling prey to hackers using completely new and unknown vulnerabilities can call for pity but falling prey to hackers who use well known attacks is simply unforgivable. In the modern world, it is extremely easy to stay up to date with the latest information and also to update one’s self with regards to various steps and factors which can help with protection from known vulnerabilities. The biggest problem makers in terms of online security are not the individual hackers but criminals, government sponsored hacking programmes, hacking criminal groups, etc. These groups use a range of automated hacking tools which are extremely high tech and can easily locate and target systems with vulnerabilities. While it is almost impossible to protect systems against unknown attacks, one can simply follow a few steps to protect their systems from known attacks and vulnerabilities.
Staying up to date
One of the best ways of protecting systems from known vulnerabilities is by staying up to date on the latest information available. There are numerous programs such as email alerts from the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team or Secunia’s Vulnerability Intelligence Manager which can help users stay up to date and ensure that their systems are protected.
Regularly scanning for system vulnerabilities
One of the main reasons that people get hacked is that they do not patch properly. The best way to ensure that a vulnerability has not been missed or a patch has been ineffectively installed is by using vulnerability scanners such as the Tenable Nessus or the Rapid7 Nexpose.
Never say “NO”
It is extremely important to embrace change with open arms and also be open to newer programs which might be much more beneficial in upgrading defences against vulnerabilities. There is a simple saying which states that one should change according to the times and it completely holds true in this case. There have been numerous cases of users falling prey to vulnerabilities only due to their rigidness of using or upgrading to newer programs which offered protection against the vulnerability in question.
Proper user training and testing programs and modules
Finally, training by way of user education programs and reinforcing and testing their effectiveness by way of tools such as Phishme are excellent ways of preparing and protecting users against vulnerabilities. These tools generate programs which are intended to entice the users to get caught in the vulnerability and then report back to the administrator whether the user fell prey or not. The ones who did fall prey are made to brush up on their trainings again.
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