What Are the Most Common Types of Security Threats That You Need to Know?

Due to the growing number of threats every day, it can be difficult to keep track of all of them. While you can find numerous resources online, there are some of the common threats that stand out from others. These online threats mostly have one major objective and that is to target and exploit the vulnerability on your devices. When you are aware of these common types of attacks, it can help you to find an effective solution. Although there is an extensive list of potential threats, some of the common security threats are mentioned below.

1. Botnets – Most people are not aware of botnets because of its ability to work in the background without the knowledge of the user. It largely goes undetected and might add the infected device into a botnet. Basically, it is a collection of software robots or bots which creates an army of infected devices. These hijacked or compromised computers can be controlled by hackers from a remote location.
   A botnet can send spam emails with viruses attached to compromise other computers and devices. This network consists of tens to hundreds of computers which might work together to spread all kinds of malware.

2. Worms – Worms are one of the major threats for your computer and the internet as a whole. Unlike a virus, worms can self-replicate and spread to other devices without any human interaction. One of the major impacts of a worm is that it can install a backdoor and exploit security holes in software. On the other hand, when it gets into the phones of any employee, it can corrupt files, steal confidential data, and modify system settings to make your device vulnerable.
   To protect your computer and prevent the spread of worms, you might need to install McAfee Security software from mcafee.com/activate.

3. Malware – It stands for ‘malicious software’ which comes in various forms that can damage your personal computer. Malware is often used to refer to any software which is designed to cause damage to your devices, server, or network. The type of malware attacks depends on what the hackers are trying to achieve. In some case, you might see a pop-up message telling you that there is a security problem or other false issues on your computer. This particular attack is commonly known as scare ware. Antivirus software like McAfee Total Security might be the best option to protect your devices against such malware and potential threats. You can manage the settings of McAfee Security by going to McAfee My Account.

4. Spam – It usually refers to unsolicited messages that you receive in your inbox. In most email services, there is a separate folder to store these particular messages. This could make it easier for you to focus on important emails. Spam is often used to send malicious information out and collect information from people. The best way to stay away from spam is by looking at the sender’s address. If you do not recognize the sender’s email address, do not open it and especially never open the embedded links.