Security Measures Against Internet Threats

Security Measures Against Internet Threats

December 17, 2024

By Thals Volmar

Even today, cyber security challenges remain a topic that should not be neglected, continuous technological progress does not remain without effect on the range of means used on the Internet and, broadly speaking, in cybernetics for pernicious purposes. Hackers, criminals, etc., operating in the field continue to embrace and use more effective means to take control of computer systems, devices, etc., for their specific purposes. Therefore, adopting cyber security measures to make a system robust and efficient against threats from criminals and unauthorized uses is essential. 

Security Measures Against Internet Threats are all actions taken or undertaken to defend against threats that may originate or arise from criminals, hackers, attackers, etc., on the Internet; this includes procedures or techniques, technologies, etc., put in place to prevent or reduce and even eliminate cyber threats. The most common security measures against Internet threats are:

Network Layer Security consists of a set of rules and measures adopted to secure data as it transits through a network. It is very important to secure this layer since it acts as a bridge between the different components of a network in order to facilitate data transfers or, in other words, allowing the routing of packets between different components of network(s).

This is done with secure protocols, which are a set of rules and measures used to protect data transmitted across a network by encryption and, above all, used to ensure the privacy, integrity and authenticity of files, data or communication during their transmission across a network or on the Internet. Secure protocols are most often found in application such as Internet browsers, emails, files transfers, etc., mainly using SSL/TLS, Pretty Good Privacy, and IPSec.

Firewall is a security mechanism developed to monitor and filter incoming and outgoing traffic of a network or device based on pre-established rules. As the name suggests, it consists of filters and gateways used to monitor threats from malicious actors and protects the network or device from being accessed by unauthorized third parties. Firewalls are found in the form of hardware and software on the market, nevertheless, the hardware firewall is most often used to protect a network and may be ineffective in monitoring outgoing traffic, the software firewall is often used to protect a personal device or server and more or less effective in monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic.

Multi-Factor Authentication, MFA, is a mechanism allowing to increase the security of an account or application by establishing at least two verification methods to be able to access the account or application, hence the concept two-step verification. Multi-Factor Authentication is a reliable method because it allows the user to access an account or application after submitting several evidence to the authenticator that he/she is the legitimate user. The most common verification evidence is Personal Identification Number (PIN), token or one-time password generated by an authenticator app, Face ID, fingerprint, source and location, and so on.

Virtual Private Network, VPN, is a mechanism created to secure connection between devices on the Internet, allowing data to transit anonymously and securely. VPN allows a private network to access or connect to a public network securely by using tunneling methods to encrypt and decrypt data transmission. As it replaces the user’s original IP address and hides his/her online activities, it also allows access to location-restricted sites or application and to trick a firewall or firewall system. VPN generally falls under the network layer security category seen above; in fact, there are several types of VPNs including IPSec, SSL and TLS, PPTP, OpenVPN, and so on. One can learn more about these terms by consulting the FAQs on the Internet Security page.

Threat Modeling is a thorough analysis undertaken to evaluate a system or any thing in order to identify and enumerate the threats that may be hovering over it and take counter measures to prevent them. In computer language, it consists of a process undertaken by security professionals, system administrators, etc., to identify and enumerate the security risks and weaknesses related to a system in order to adopt proactive measures to fill them.

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The topic we have seen is very useful in terms of the choices to be made in adopting measures to protect yourself and your business on the Internet. As we said above, the challenges of Internet security are dynamic and require continuous attention to avoid becoming a victim.

The list of measures against Internet security threats seen here is not exhaustive, we have taken into account the thread of our blog and discussed terms in clear and simple language to make it easier for everyone to understand how one can protect oneself against bad actors on the Internet. In fact, we recommend that one reads a complementary blog for more choices in the measures to take to thwart bad actors on the Internet, please click here.