This year alone, we have experienced a 300% increase in reported cyber crimes in the U.S., which means now may be time to start taking the need for cybersecurity seriously. The demand for cybersecurity information and services has never been greater, and Sitetrail’s team of in-house professional security and IT experts, can help you protect your hardware, software and digital data from cyber criminals and hackers. Defending your computing infrastructure, systems and data has never been easier with Sitetrail.
This October is cybersecurity month and Sitetrail is emphasizing the need for individual and organizational cybersecurity awareness.
Choose one of Sitetrail’s cybersecurity solutions:
Cybersecurity is the confluence of three factors: technology, electronic processes and human activity, that combine to collectively protect organizations, networks and individuals from all types of cybersecurity threats. Taken in its entirety, cybersecurity is the practice of defending computers, servers, networks, mobile devices, and electronic systems and data from internal and external malicious attacks. The role of cybersecurity experts is to defend the integrity of a computing or electronic system from digital attacks, as well as protect an individual or organization’s hardware, software and electronic data. Cybersecurity services are meant to defend electronic infrastructure and data assets from all individual threats launched at a particular computing system or network throughout the full life cycle of a cyber attack.
Why do we need cybersecurity? The use of cybersecurity solutions and techniques are pertinent to defending all forms of computing and electronic systems and data; including sensitive data, identifiable information, intellectual property, private health information, and governmental and industry information systems from access by unauthorized parties, theft or damage.
Cybersecurity is also known as information technology security or electronic information security.
Penetration testing is a process used to identify and expose security vulnerabilities (also known as weak spots) in a computing system or electronic network. Penetration testing is an authorized simulated cyberattack, using various malicious techniques, administered to a computing or electronic system to evaluate the security of the system. It measures the potential unauthorized parties may have to gain access to a system’s infrastructure and data.
What is the purpose of penetration testing? The main purpose of penetration testing twofold: the first is to identify exploitable vulnerabilities – defenses that could not hold up against simulated cyber attacks that use similar types of malicious techniques and attacks most often used by cyber criminals, such as the SQLmap penetration testing tool. Aside from measuring exploitable vulnerabilities of a system, the second purpose of penetration testing is to identify and measure the security defenses that are sufficient enough to repel a simulated malicious attack. These two aspects of penetration testing together provide a full assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of a system’s security against malicious attacks.
Penetration testing, also known more commonly known as a pen test, pentest, or ethical hacking.
Let’s first start with the question: What is malware? Malware, taken from ‘malicious software’, is any program or data stream that has the potential to inflict damage, or cause harm to computing and digital networks, and their users. Malware manifests in various forms such as computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. Malware is designed to infiltrate a computer system or electronic network without the consent of the system’s owner.
Malware removal is the act of detecting and removing malicious software from an infected system and it’s electronic data. Malware removal generally involves introducing anti-virus and anti-malware programs, malware cleaners, trojan removers like the Loaris Trojan Remover, and spyware removals like SpyHunter 5, which all cure different types of malware infections. In more serious cases, installing firewalls are usually required to cure serious malware infections. Malware removal programs can reduce the damage inflicted by malware, and also reduce the likelihood that cyber criminals and hackers will successfully gain unauthorized access to the same computing systems, networks and data.
Making use of penetration testing services is a proactive step to uncovering the security vulnerabilities and exploitative weaknesses in electronic networks, computing systems, data storages and web applications. Penetration testing is a means to identify security vulnerabilities and come up with remedies before you are confronted with cyber attacks that could potentially be very damaging.
Sitetrail’s team professionals and IT experts can help you prevent potential digital attacks, intrusions and breaches with Sitetrail’s Penetration Testing Services. Site Trails’ penetration testing services assist corporations and individuals to proactively secure their computing and electronic systems and data, prevent business interruptions and protect their brand image.
Penetration testing services come in different forms and depend on consumer needs. Sitetrail offers the following penetration testing services:
Web application penetration testing. Penetration testers seek to gain unauthorized access to web applications which could obtain sensitive information, proprietary information, and personal identifiable information such as credit cards, private health records, etc. Web application penetration testing measures the security strength of web applications.
Network and infrastructure penetration testing. Penetration testers aim to expose flaws in electronic networks and devices connected with a computing system. Network penetration testing generally tests firewalls, virtual and physical servers, workstations, and other infrastructure connected to the network. They look out for out of date software, improper security configurations and weak communication algoriums.
Wireless penetration testing. Penetration testers seek to identify security weaknesses in wireless infrastructure. It involves gaining unauthorized access to wireless infrastructure and its content to illustrate the potential damage a breach to a wireless infrastructure can be.
Social engineering penetration testing. Penetration testers evaluate the security awareness and practices of an organization or group of individuals. Social engineering penetration tests provide an assessment of an organization’s employees, facilities and infrastructure, using techniques such as pretext phone calls and text messages, email phishing tests, dumpster dives, etc.
Client-side security testing. Penetration testers aim to uncover vulnerabilities in client-side applications, including web browsers, email accounts, Adobe Acrobat, and many others. Client-side security testing evaluates an individual’s, or organization’s susceptibility to digital attacks and its readiness to recognize and respond to such malicious attacks.
Sitetrail’s team of IT experts and professionals adopt a very standard process employed in their penetration testing services. The first planning phase involves identifying the goals, data sources, and targets of the penetration test. It also includes defining the target environment and determining the penetration methodology of the penetration test that must be administered. The next testing phase involves developing scanning and intrusion tools, and then using the intrusion tools, conducting a security scan to detect exploitable vulnerabilities in a system, and the potential for cyber criminals and hackers to gain unauthorized access. In the final post-attack phase, Sitetrail’s team deliver their final reports and analysis of the penetration test administered, and recommendations for reducing future security risks are also added in as a bonus.
If you’re experiencing malware symptoms on your computing devices or electronic network, Sitetrails Malware Removal Services may be just what you need to repair and restore your hacked systems before any more damage is done. Fast malware removal services, prevention of future attacks, website blacklist removals, and even fixing bugs, Sitetrail’s team of professional and IT experts does it all.
Sitetrail can help you clean up malware and virus infections. Our malware removers follow very particular steps. First, they initiate a malware scanner, which is a baseline scan of an infected computing system or network to find vulnerable and malicious software embedded in it. The next step involves making duplicate logs of files and data before the malicious software is removed and the original files and data restored. The final step is review and reporting. Sitetrail’s team will provide you with a detailed report of malware discovered in your systems and the steps taken to remove discovered malware. The team will also keep you informed of emerging threats and security issues.
Once your malware service is complete, there are a few things you can do to decrease the chances of being hacked again. Updating website software, changing passwords, running anti-virus, anti-malware and anti-adware programs, and creating backups of websites, applications and data storages can all reduce the possibility of a second-time digital attack, and also potentially reduce the damage and loss of data and files in the event of a second-time digital attack.
Sitetrail’s professional cybersecurity services guarantee removal of 100% of malicious software, blacklist removals, and the complete restoration of websites, servers, and computing networks.
1) malware, including spyware, ransomware, worms and viruses usually transmitted through an infected email, folder or device;
2) phishing, which is the practice of send fraudulent phone calls, texts, emails and other communications disguised as a reputable source;
3) man-in-the-middle attacks, which occur when cyber criminals and hackers gain unauthorized access and insert themselves into a two-party transaction or communication; and
4) denial-of-service attacks, which is the flooding of networks, systems and servers with web traffic to disrupt and exhaust resources, system processes and bandwidth, which can also render the network or system incapable of processing requests.
A cybersecurity threat is what an organization or individual is trying to prevent or defend from, and has the potential to inflict harm on a computing or electronic network, or the system’s owner directly. A security vulnerability is a weakness or perceived gap in a network or electronic system that can potentially be exploited by cyber criminals (the threats) who seek to gain unauthorized access to digital assets, data and infrastructure. A security risk is the intersection of digital assets, threats and vulnerabilities, and the degree of potential loss that can result from a security threat exploiting a security vulnerability.
The most targeted industries of cyber attacks are government, retail, technology and healthcare services, due to the large amount of personal identifiable information, proprietary information and government and industry information contained in those three industries. 43% of cyber attacks are targeted at small businesses and 93% of all healthcare organizations experienced a cybersecurity attack or data breach in the last three years. On the other hand, human negligence is also a contributing factor. 95% of all security breaches are caused by human error as cyber criminals and hackers find the weakest point of entry into an organization’s or individual’s system, which is usually not physical infrastructure but rather unsuspecting employees and patrons.
Cybersecurity testing provides detailed accounts of real cyber threats to a computing system or network. Security testing protects electronic systems and data from unauthorized access, improves information security and business management, and improves an organization’s credibility having the correct security solutions put in place. Security testing identifies the most significant vulnerabilities, alongside less significant ones, which will allow for a balanced assessment of security standards, the allocation of additional security resources where necessary, and the prioritization and implementation of malware removal remedies.
Penetration testing is especially necessary for individuals and organizations with newly formed websites, servers, and computing or electronic systems, or in fact, anyone who does not prioritize their cybersecurity. However, even in cases where cybersecurity is prioritized, there are situations in which additional penetration testing may be required. Upgrades and modifications, as well as adding new network infrastructure or applications to a system may require additional penetration testing. Moving corporate offices, significantly changing an organization’s IT structure is also reason enough to look into our penetration testing services. Popular penetration testing tools also include SQLmap Windows, AWS penetration test for Amazon Web Services customers, and for people constantly on the go, the PentestBox, an open source preconfigured portable penetration testing tool is ideal.
There are three different types of penetration testing techniques, black-box penetration tests, white-box penetration tests and grey-box penetration tests. With black-box penetration tests, penetration testers start off with little to no knowledge and access to the target, and white box penetration tests are granted the highest level of knowledge and access, including network systems and information, about a target before proceeding with the penetration test. Grey-box penetration testing involves providing the tester with limited knowledge and access of a target, such as login credential, to ascertain the potential a privilege user has to gain access or cause harm.
Malware is rather easily detected if you look for the signs. A slow computer or processing unit, excessive adverts and pop-up messages and notifications, a suspicious increase of internet traffic, and a different home browser display that you did not change, are all signs of malicious software. Malware can also be detected by performing anti-malware scans. Yet sometimes finding the source of the malware may be more difficult. Malware programs often hide in the most unsuspecting, and seemingly harmless downloadable applications. Malware can also hide in infected email attachments, unsecure websites, executable files, coding or programs, and in pop-up adverts. USB and other storage devices are also places where malware can be stored, and once connected to your systems, cause severe damage.
Malware removal services are necessary if your computing system and electronic network is experiencing malware symptoms. Unauthorized access to system resources, excessive ads and pop-up messages, slow network and computing systems and frequent freezes and crashes are all symptoms that a computing or electronic system has been hacked and infected with malicious software. These malware symptoms result from malicious software programs, such as Malware Crusher, which can lead to SEO spam emails and even lead to blacklist situations.
Free malware removal services are available on the web, but the best malware removal services, which often come at a price, provide best security assessments and protection that their free counterparts do not. The best free malware removal services, which do get the job done, include Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition and Avira Free Security Suite.
Upon detecting a cyber attack, there are certain steps you can take to prevent further damage. Immediately installing antiviruses and anti-malware programs, posting a warning sign on your server or website for your users, and checking with your host provider to find the cause of the intrusion, are all things you can do. However these steps cannot always guarantee that you will get rid of the “backdoor” that hackers most often use to regain entry to your systems on later occasions. Many individuals, independent and within organizations, have thus gone as far as obtaining their CompTIA CySA+ certification to ensure they have the professional expertise to manage and prevent cyber attacks and beaches. CySA+ is an intermediate technical certification that focuses on the practical application and theoretical implication of applying behavioral analytics to networks to detect and combat cybersecurity threats through continuous monitoring, which is something everyone can benefit from having.
However, for people who do not have an inhouse team of qualified IT experts, professional malware removal services are often the better choice to successfully manage and prevent further cyber attacks.
Improving your cybersecurity awareness is a proactive step to ensure your computing and electronic networks and data are always protected. Increasing your cybersecurity awareness can easily be done by conducting independent research on cybersecurity on the web or approaching top cybersecurity companies or organizations for professional cybersecurity advice.
The National Cybersecurity Center, located in Colorado Springs is a non-profit organization for cyber innovation and awareness. By hosting several cybersecurity programs, they aim to serve public and private organizations through education, training and researching cybersecurity threats and solutions that many people have already benefited from.
The National Institute of Standards and Framework’s Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CFS) published a policy framework providing computer security guidance and industry standards that public and private organizations can employ to improve their security operations and governance, and improve their ability to prevent, detect and react to cybersecurity attacks.
The Open Source Security Testing Manual (OSSTMM) is a peer-reviewed methodology for cybersecurity testing that aims to provide training, research and certification services for security process and industry standards. The OSSTMM sets out rules specifically for penetration testing and a standard methodology for discovering security weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
The ISO 27032 provides guidelines and explanations on how companies can ensure that they take the necessary steps to improve the security of their data and network processes. It focuses on information, network and internet security and provides critical information regarding infrastructure protection. The ISO 27032 cybersecurity training program also provides real-world solutions that individuals can employ to defend personal and organizational infrastructure and data from digital attacks, breaches and hacking.
The Metaspoit Project, is another computer security project that offers information on security vulnerabilities and aids in penetration testing and intrusion detection services development. The Metaspoit framework is a tool that allows ethical hackers to systematically probe a network or system for security vulnerabilities and weak points by gaining unauthorized access to electronic systems, executing simulated attacks and evading detection.
The National Cybersecurity Center, the NIST CFS, the IOS 27032, and the Metaspoit Project are all excellent sources of information to improve your cybersecurity awareness.
Human intelligence is the best defense against cybersecurity attacks and breaches. Sitetrail’s cybersecurity team provides the very same cybersecurity services offered by popular managed-security services and cybersecurity companies in the U.S. Sitetrail distinguishes itself by being committed to educating people and organizations on cybersecurity threats, preparing individuals and employees to proactively respond to security threats, and most importantly to strengthen security apparatus and human practices to withstand almost any kind of cybersecurity attack.
More than 77% of business and private organizations do not have cybersecurity response teams or reaction plans, with 54% admitting that they have experienced a cybersecurity attack in the last twelve months.
Don’t be part of the statistics! Prevent your systems from unauthorized access and breaches, malicious software and phishing; and remedy and reinforce existing security protocols to guarantee your cybersecurity safety and privacy.
Contact Sitetrail’s cybersecurity team today!
