No one will stay interested unless your article starts strong with an attention-getting hook, so consider starting by asking a question or starting with the context or compelling statistics to make an impression first impression on readers. Here are a few other strategies for doing just that:
1. Password Auditing
Password auditing is an integral component of cybersecurity and should be performed regularly. Specialized software can simulate cybercriminal attempts at breaching into systems by trying to break in, showing security and IT teams which passwords may be weak or “pwned”, so they can eliminate those as potential security risks.
Finding weak credentials in network services and web applications is also possible with this free tool, providing fast action to ensure network security. Wordlists and port lists can also help speed up this process.
2. Password Hashing
Password hashing is a method of turning any password into a unique hash code that cannot be reversed or stolen and makes it more difficult for hackers to guess users’ passwords using techniques like dictionary and brute force attacks. InfoSec experts often advise hashing passwords with algorithms like SHA-256, RIPEMD, or Argon2 that are designed specifically to resist such attacks.
Hashing, unlike encryption, which is reversible, provides your data with additional protection from hackers gaining entry to your database and access to passwords. Furthermore, hashing can prevent them from using these same passwords across various platforms.
3. Packet Sniffer
As data travels across the Internet, it’s broken into small packets for secure transmission. Unfortunately, hackers often use sniffing attacks to intercept traffic and steal sensitive information.
JavaScript sniffing attacks, for instance, can insert malicious code into a website and capture personal information as you complete forms or purchase items online. This information could then be sold off to data brokers for other nefarious uses; network monitoring helps detect this suspicious rise in network activity as well as potential malware infections or unauthorized access attempts.
4. Wireshark
With data breaches becoming more frequent, cybersecurity professionals need to have tools at their disposal that can quickly identify any potential threats. Wireshark provides just such an option – it captures and dissects network traffic in real-time or from captured packet files.
However, software like Wireshark may contain bugs. For instance, numerous file parser vulnerabilities in Wireshark could allow attackers to gain arbitrary code execution; fortunately, however, these flaws have since been addressed with new versions of the tool. Read up on how best to utilize Wireshark!
5. Hashcat
As a cybersecurity professional, you may already be familiar with Hashcat as a hacking tool. This program converts readable information into scrambled code that can reveal passwords.
Hashcat supports various hash types such as SHA-256, NTLM, and Kerberos hashes; GPU acceleration allows Hashcat to quickly crack passwords.
Open source can help penetration testers improve backend security, but criminals also have access to it. Therefore, only use hashcats in controlled environments to avoid security breaches; also refrain from hacking without authorization as doing so could incur legal liability.
6. Firewall
Firewalls are essential network security devices that detect and filter data packets as they enter and leave a computer or network, creating a physical barrier between internal and external networks based on predefined security rules.
Packet filtering firewalls examine data packets and allow or block them based on criteria such as source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols. Stateful inspection firewalls monitor active connections to prevent attacks.
Hackers can exploit any gaps in your firewalls by tricking you into opening suspicious emails that contain malware and can lead to widespread infection within a network.
7. Intrusion Detection System
An intrusion detection system (IDS) monitors network traffic for malicious activity by searching for signs of known attacks or deviations from normal activity patterns. IDS can either be network- or host-based and may take measures such as logging the exploit or restricting access.
An IDS provides additional protection by flagging threats that evade firewalls and other security tools, and by detecting vulnerabilities not identified by other tools. An IDS also helps prevent security breaches by helping detect vulnerabilities not detectable by other security solutions.
9. Network Intrusion Detection System
Since data breaches and malware continue to plague businesses worldwide, safeguarding and monitoring your network security has never been more critical. Network intrusion detection systems (IDSs) use software to detect any suspicious activities on the network and notify system administrators promptly of suspicious activity detected within it.
NIDS monitors traffic at Layer 3 or above of the network infrastructure and detects threats by recognizing abnormal patterns within incoming packets. They use signature-based detection or statistical anomaly detection techniques to spot potential attacks by comparing samples of network traffic against predetermined baseline performance levels.
IP security appliances take things one step further by actively blocking or mitigating threats in real time to limit their impact and minimize security incidents. They thus decrease attack surface area while simultaneously decreasing security incidents.
10. Network Access Control
Network access control (NAC) is an invaluable solution for protecting companies against malware threats and unwelcome visitors. Businesses using NAC can monitor device activity without disrupting business as usual – thus keeping security costs to a minimum.
Unauthorized access by bypassing access control policies can result in security breaches, data loss, and the exploitation of network vulnerabilities. Shadow devices like mobile phones, laptops, and connected printers often facilitate these attacks against networks. Network Access Control protects networks against further access by authenticating users and devices once admitted into the network.
