Although we have previously written about cloud security, the outlook of 2023 suggests that cloud security attacks will once again be on the rise. With previous attacks striking major corporations like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Marriott, it is clear that nobody is immune. When enacting cloud attacks, cybercriminals are searching for vulnerable endpoints to access or firewalls to breach.
According to Security Boulevard, there are four main types of cloud security threats individual users should be keeping an eye out for. To supplement these threats, we will be providing some ways in which you can keep yourself protected. Ultimately, strong cloud security protects against:
- Unauthorized Access to Data: This threat occurs when hackers access your network, endpoints, devices or applications without the proper permissions. Thankfully, this threat can be mitigated by strong protection and defenses that block cloud application access by IP and GEO location.
Solution: Try abiding by a zero-trust model. Effectively, this means to act as though there has already been a breach somewhere in your system. Secure access using multi-factor authentication, and always use a randomized password generator. - Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks: This is a malware attack that we have written about before. DDoS attacks work by flooding users with malicious connection requests to overwhelming your network connection and paralyze your system.
Solution: If possible, have an excess of bandwidth; the more bandwidth you have, the more requests it will take to drown the connection. It might also be helpful to keep a backup internet connection so that you always have an alternate IP route. - Cloud Misconfiguration: This threat is one common to most at-home networks. If you have default passwords, inadequate access restrictions, mismanaged permission controls or the like, you are going to leave yourself open to attacks through these vulnerabilities.
Solution: Learn the services, settings and permissions of your cloud services. The more you know about how your cloud services function, the easier it will be to protect yourself. This is another threat where it is important to ensure that your security software extends to the cloud. - Data Leaks and Data Breaches: Many cloud vendors promote collaboration and increased shareability between users and devices as real benefits to working with cloud-based software. However—and unfortunately—it sometimes makes it too easy for users to share data. If there is a reduced barrier to sharing, that means there are endpoints hackers can leverage.
Solution: Encrypt your data and change your passwords! The harder you work to keep your data from breaches, the harder it is for those breaches to affect you.
