Cyber security is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber attacks are usually aimed at assessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes
Cyber Security is important because it helps protect an organization’s data from digital attacks that could damage the organization or individuals if placed in the wrong hands. Medical, government, corporate and financial records all hold personal information.
There are 7 Types of cyber attacks
- Denial of Service Attack
- Hacking.
- Malware.
- Phishing.
- Spoofing.
- Ransomware.
- Spamming.
Although all of these are something a journalist should be concerned about and take precautions, as a Future journalist I would be most concerned with hacking . This is because if you have information on an article that no one else has other journalists who don’t abide by communication ethics could swipe the information from your computer and could use it for their personal gain.
Phishing
Phishing is another cyber attack which is much like hacking. It is the attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Everything about cyber attacks are designed to deceive the user and as a journalist it is even more important to protect your data.
Ways to Protect Yourself From a Cyber Attack
*Use a full-service internet security suite
*Use strong passwords
*Keep your software updated
*Manage your social media settings
*Keep up to date on major security breaches
Even when you’re simply setting up different accounts such as an email , social media , an apple ID or even ordering something online ,you are at risk for a cyber attack. Taking the steps listed can make it less likely to get your information stolen. If you become a big time journalist this will be majorly important so others wont take your hard earned research.
Becoming Oprah Winfrey 