The Common Signs Of Being Cyberattacked

In today's digital age, the threat of cyber attacks looms large, and it's crucial for individuals and organizations to be aware of the common signs that indicate they may be under attack. Cybercriminals employ various tactics to infiltrate systems, steal sensitive information, or disrupt operations. 

By recognizing the red flags of a cyber attack, you can take prompt action to mitigate the damage and protect yourself from further harm. In this article we'll explore the common signs that indicate you might be under a cyber attack and provide insights on how to respond effectively.

​Common Signs of A Cyberattack 

These are the usual tell-tale signs that indicate that you or your organization have been cyberattacked. 

1. Usual files, applications or services cannot be accessed, 
2. Encounter frequent errors when trying to access your files.  
3. Unauthorized account access or notice any suspicious account activities. 
4. Unfamiliar login attempts or failed login notifications. 
5. Password reset emails or  account recovery requests you didn’t initiate.  
6. Changes to account settings without your knowledge. 
7. Files or software have been deleted or installed, or if you notice any unusual modifications to your data. 
8. Suspicious unexpected pop-ups whenever you access the internet or even when you’re not browsing the internet, or unknown programmes or files appear. 
9. Redirected to websites that you did not intend to visit. 
10. Check for outbound connections to unfamiliar IP addresses. 
11. Communication with suspicious domains or excessive data transfers that you cannot account for. 
12. Slower than normal internet speeds despite a stable connection. 
13. Unusual amounts of network traffic or high data consumption, OR frequent computer/programs “hang” or crashes. 
14. No control over functions of the computer. For example, devices can be controlled remotely (i.e. mouse/pointer moves on its own) or computers get locked and display ransom messages.
15.  Suspicious emails with spelling or grammatical errors, requests for personal information, or urgent requests for money. 
16.  Emails sent automatically without the user’s knowledge. 
17.  Unrecognized antivirus software scans randomly appear. 
18.  Unfamiliar charges on your credit card or unexplained withdrawals from your bank account. ​

Responding to a Cyberattack 

1. Disconnect From The Network: If you suspect a cyberattack, disconnect affected devices from the network to prevent further compromise. This can help contain the damage and limit the attacker's access.
2. Report The Incident: Contact your organization's IT department, inform relevant local and central authorities, financial institutions and other applicable industry regulating bodies about the cyber attack. Prompt reporting is crucial for initiating the incident response process and preserving evidence.
3. Notify Partners, Clients and Customers : Notify partners, clients and customers of the potential breach as early as possible. It is recommended to send written communications which clearly states a data breach occurred, what information was compromised, what you are doing to rectify this incident, and steps you are taking to ensure no further damage is done. 
4. Change Passwords And Strengthen Security: Change passwords for compromised accounts and enable strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. Update your security software and apply patches regularly to protect against known vulnerabilities.
5. Call External Experts: Call in a cyber-forensics team to test your network and systems to find out the type of attack that occurred, how they gained access to your network and identify potential vulnerabilities that might be exploited so that you can rectify them before another attack occurs. 
6. Conduct System Scan And Restore From Backup: Run a comprehensive system scan using reputable software to detect and remove any malicious programs. Restore your systems from a clean backup to ensure they are free from malware.
7. Enhance Security Measures: Reevaluate your security practices and implement additional measures, such as using endpoint security solutions, regularly conducting vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT), and regularly backing up important data. Educate yourself and your employees on best practices for cybersecurity.
8. Update Incident Response Plan: Review and update your incident response plan at least once a year. A written plan must be put in place, which includes all the necessary steps one must take after an incident occurs, a clear layout of the contact details, and an updated map of your computer network to aid in accessing potential vulnerabilities. ​

Takeaway

Being aware of the common signs of a cyber attack is essential for individuals and organizations to protect themselves from potential harm. By recognizing the signs of unusual account activity, unexpected slowdowns, suspicious emails, unexpected pop-ups, and unexplained changes in system settings, you can take proactive steps to safeguard your digital security.

Regularly updating and patching software, using strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and educating yourself about common cyber threats are key practices to minimize the risk of falling victim to cyber attacks. As it is said “Prevention is Always Better Than A Cure”. Remember, staying vigilant and promptly responding to any suspicious signs can make a significant difference in preventing or mitigating the impact of a cyber attack.

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