Cyber security

World has become a global village just because of internet. Now each and every individual is connected to internet so securing our data from viruses, hackers or unauthorized persons is necessary. Cyber security means protecting data, networks, programs and other information from unauthorized or unintended access, destruction or change. We can also say all those activities that are undertaken to minimize threats and any kind of vulnerabilities. It encompasses all the mechanisms and processes that protect digital equipment, information and records from illegal or unintended access. The internet has become the integral part of today’s generation of people from communicating through instant messages and emails to banking, travelling, studying and shopping, internet has touched every aspect of life.

Cyber threats can be caused due to negligence and vulnerabilities, or unintentional accidents. Nevertheless, they can also be planned or intentional, like hacking or access by unauthorized users. The main objectives of such type of system attackers or hackers are to steal confidential information, to destroy or to change data and the like. System attackers can be crackers or recreational hackers. They have a variety of tools that can harm or infect the computer; usually they use malicious logic or virus to gain unauthorized access to a computer. Opening email attachments that carry the virus, clicking malicious links or websites or unintentionally downloading a dangerous program are common ways through which a computer can be infected and data can be stolen.

In this age where the use of computers and networks related to them has become common place, there has developed problems concerning cyber security. Cyber security is an important factor to be considered if one is to be able to protect oneself from malicious people and software from internet. Most of the threats to computer networks come from the internet and these are often intentional, having been developed by people with malicious intent. Cyber security therefore, an attempt by individuals to protect their personal information and other digital assets from attacks from the internet. As the number of data networks, digital applications, as well as internet and mobile users are growing, so do the chances of cyber exploitation and cybercrimes. Even a small mistake in securing data or bad social networking can prove to be extremely dangerous. If accounts are not properly secured, it makes easier for hackers or unauthorized users to access your accounts and also to spread viruses or social engineered attacks that are designed to steal data and even money. Such types of issues highlight the need for cyber security as an essential approach in protecting and preventing data from being used inappropriately.

With the growing use of the internet by people, protecting important information has become a necessity. A computer that is not having appropriate security controls can be infected with malicious logic and thus any type of information can be accessed in moments. Number of infected Web Pages and malicious websites can be seen every day that infects the computer and allow hackers to gain illegal access to other computer systems. Hacking of important data, computer viruses and other cyber related threats affect our lives that range from minor inconvenience to serious incidents. We download different softwares, mobile apps and install them without reading the terms and polices and while installing we provide them access to our camera, gallery etc. Keep in mind one thing when an individual is connected to the internet that means his/her data is not secured, nowadays everyone is on social media using twitter, facebook, instagram, whatsapp etc. and even they cannot travel before updating a status over there so information related to any individual can be easily accessed. Where he is going? What he is doing? Bla bla bla .To protect ourselves from viruses and unauthorized persons to access our data or information

1.      We should update antivirus in our computers.

2.      At least once in a month we should change passwords.

3.      Always keep strong passwords.

4.     Do not use same password for different accounts.

5.       Check privacy, activity logs regularly.

6.     Do not open links without checking, from unauthorized persons.

Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility so what are you waiting for lets make Gilgit-Baltistan free from Cyber Crimes. Please like our page https://www.facebook.com/gilgitcybersecurty/ and be part of this mission for the first time in Gilgit-Baltistan.