How to respond to cyber hacks and security breaches

In this guide

• Cyber incident signs
• Steps after a cyber hack
• Cybersecurity practices
• Threat detection tools
• Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape
• Conclusion

The internet hasn’t just made the world a small village, but it has also opened us up to challenges that have never been faced before.

Cybersecurity is the most concerning matter as cyber threats and attacks are becoming more and more common.  

Today, attackers are using very sophisticated and innovative techniques to target computer systems. And their targets aren’t just government sites or large companies. Many individuals and small businesses find themselves under attack.

To make things even more complicated, keeping pace with cybersecurity issues and best practices can be a challenge.

Nevertheless, the cybersecurity threats that made headlines recently include: massive data heists, social media breaches of several public figures, and universities hit by ransomware attacks.

Celebrity Twitter accounts, technology leaders, and politicians were compromised, leading to unintended and inappropriate usage of their accounts.

Bad actors can create fake websites to steal sensitive personal information or lure people into clicking or downloading malicious files, while harvesting their personal identifiable information (PII) or financial data without permission. 

Related resources

• Internet safety resources for students
• Cybersecurity in the transportation industry
• All about online cybersecurity courses
• Cybersecurity in the food and agriculture industry
• Cybersecurity: Who is responsible?

How to know if you have been hacked or phished

Articles from Keepnet Labs and Framework Security emphasize the importance of early detection and proactive cybersecurity strategies to prevent and mitigate cyberattacks.

Common Warning Signs

• Unusual System or Network Activity: Sudden spikes in traffic, sluggish performance, or unexpected reboots may indicate malware or DDoS attacks.
• Unauthorized Access Attempts: Multiple failed logins, especially from unknown locations or during odd hours, could signal brute-force attacks or credential theft.
• Unexpected Behavior: Altered system settings, disabled security software, inaccessible files, or unknown software installations are red flags of possible compromise.
• Phishing Emails: Messages imitating trusted contacts with suspicious links or attachments often lead to malware infections or stolen credentials.

Proactive Defense Strategies

• Incident Response Planning: Having a tested response strategy in place ensures quick and effective action when an attack occurs.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds a layer of protection even if passwords are compromised.
• Employee Training: Increases awareness of social engineering, phishing attempts, and safe online behavior.
• Regular Backups: Ensures quick data recovery after an attack, particularly from ransomware.
• Security Monitoring Tools: Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions help detect anomalies in real time.

Action plan for the critical first hours

In the digital landscape, a cyber breach is akin to a storm – unexpected, disruptive, and potentially devastating. However, the actions taken in the immediate aftermath can significantly influence the extent of the damage.

The initial hours after detecting a breach are pivotal. A swift, organized response can mitigate damage, protect stakeholders, and set the stage for recovery.

Harness the power of cutting-edge threat detection tools to spot any out-of-the-ordinary activities. Before hitting the panic button, double-check to confirm the breach.

Once verified, swiftly unplug compromised systems from the network, halting the malicious software in its tracks.

The immediate steps post-breach lay the foundation for long-term recovery and resilience. By acting swiftly and strategically, organizations can navigate the stormy waters of a cyber breach and emerge stronger on the other side.

Five steps for better cybersecurity practices

Individuals are susceptible to cyberattacks in their everyday digital activities.

The following items are necessary steps that should be taken to prevent cyber threats: 

Step 1: Perform periodic software patches and updates 

Patching refers to fixing vulnerabilities or correcting computer bugs in the software. Even though vendors frequently write code fixes and release patches, these patches are useful only if they are applied. Many security incidents occur simply because patches were not implemented.

For example, the attack on Equifax in May 2017 exploited a vulnerability in an Apache Struts web application that could have been patched back in March. It’s recommended to keep software up to date and install all recommended updates. 

Step 2: Safe browsing

Safe browsing refers to using best practices when surfing the internet; some websites use deprecated cryptography with weak ciphers or invalid certificates that are easy to crack, which allows cybercriminals to obtain the transmitted data in clear text.  

It is important to note that data entered on websites could be intercepted by criminals, especially when entering passwords or making online payments. One of the best practices to enjoy safe browsing is to use a browser extension called “HTTPS Everywhere”.

This will help enforce data encryption at motion. The page won’t render if the website supports deprecated or expired SSL or TLS.

Another best practice is to block web ads by installing Ad blocker extensions in the browser you are using, such as AdBlock for Google users or AdBlockPlus for all internet browsers.

These web ads collect browser cookies and session information to provide targeted marketing campaigns. Adding this extension will stop ads from collecting your information.  

Step 3: Protect your data 

Cyber attacks happen to people every day in the digital world. And sometimes cyber attacks start with a physical security issue.

If a laptop is stolen or lost, then personal information or financial records can be accessed even with password protection.

Files can be copied from the laptop or mobile phone. It’s recommended in this case to make regular backups of all important files and keep them on dedicated servers that are isolated from the network segments used for day-to-day operations.

Step 4: Use strong passwords

Passwords are used to access computers or systems, and they are the weakest form of authentication for many reasons:

• Users tend to choose easy passwords to remember them, and therefore easy to guess or crack.
• Attackers discover weak passwords in many ways, including brute force attacks, sniffing networks, and stealing databases that contain user information. 
• Passwords are sometimes transmitted in clear text or with easily broken encryption protocols. Attackers can capture these passwords with network sniffers. 
• Hackers can discover weak passwords using a password-guessing mechanism 

It is important to use a strong password consisting of at least eight hard-to-guess letters, numbers, and special characters and secure it by setting up multi-factor authentication. 

Be sure to reset all default passwords with stronger ones that are unique and meet strict password policy requirements.

Set a unique password across websites, email accounts, and systems that you use.

Step 5: Install anti-malware and antivirus 

Anti-malware is a piece of software designed to scan, detect, and delete viruses or signs of hidden malware. There is a type of malware called a Trojan horse, which uses social engineering tactics to trick the victims into installing it without their knowledge.

The trick is to make the victims believe that the only thing they have downloaded or obtained is the intended file, when in fact it has a malicious hidden payload. 

Protecting your computers with appropriate anti-malware software is an important aspect of securing computers.

Attackers regularly release new malware and often modify existing malware to prevent detection by anti-malware software.

They normally develop new and modified malware or viruses to evade vendors’ anti-malware protection so they can steal sensitive data or collect financial data.

It also provides the ability to detect and block incoming threats across diverse data streams: email, web traffic, network traffic, file storage, and web portals.

The antivirus or anti-malware should be able to check files both in real-time and automatically re-scanning files when signature-based rules are updated in the vendor database to detect previously unknown threats. 

Advanced threat detection tools

Threat detection tools play a pivotal role in identifying and mitigating cyber threats.

Here are some of the top tools used by professionals and organizations to detect and respond to advanced cyber threats:

1. CrowdStrike Falcon: This cloud-native endpoint protection platform offers threat detection, incident response, and forensics. It uses AI to detect known and unknown threats in real-time.
2. FireEye Helix: A security operations platform that integrates with endpoint, network, and email security. It provides advanced threat intelligence and automates threat detection and response.
3. Darktrace: Utilizes machine learning and AI algorithms to detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber threats in real-time. It offers an enterprise immune system that identifies unusual behavior within a network.
4. Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR: An extended detection and response platform that integrates with Palo Alto’s suite of security tools. It offers behavioral analytics, threat intelligence, and automated response capabilities.
5. Symantec Endpoint Protection: Combines traditional signature-based protection with advanced machine learning algorithms to detect and block threats at the endpoint.
6. McAfee Advanced Threat Defense: Offers a combination of sandboxing, emulation, and heuristic analysis to detect zero-day threats, targeted attacks, and ransomware.
7. Check Point SandBlast: Provides threat extraction and emulation techniques to detect and block unknown malware, zero-day threats, and targeted attacks.
8. Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints: Uses global threat intelligence, advanced sandboxing, and real-time malware blocking to prevent breaches.
9. Fortinet FortiSandbox: Uses a combination of AI, behavior-based detection, and static analysis to identify and verify threats in various environments.
10. CylancePROTECT: An AI-driven endpoint protection platform that predicts and blocks advanced threats before they can execute.

Additionally, regular updates and training are crucial to ensure that the tool remains effective against evolving cyber threats.

The Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape

• AI-Powered Attacks: AI is being used to create more sophisticated and automated attacks.  
• Ransomware: Ransomware attacks continue to be a major threat, with increasing sophistication.
• Phishing: Phishing attacks are becoming more advanced, using deepfake technology and social engineering.  
• Supply Chain Attacks: Attacks targeting third-party vendors and suppliers.  
• IoT Vulnerabilities: The increasing number of IoT devices creates new security challenges.  
• Deepfakes: Deepfakes can be used for misinformation, fraud, and reputational damage.  
• State-Sponsored Attacks: Nation-states continue to target critical infrastructure and government systems.  
• Cloud Security Risks: Cloud environments are vulnerable to data breaches and misconfigurations.  

Be proactive in your cybersecurity

In short, as the internet continues to grow, the number of attacks is increasing in the digital world. The prevention of cyber attacks starts with a proactive approach.

The early detection of security red flags will help mitigate the damage and prevent any further attacks. It will also help protect personal information and privacy against threat agents.

Be mindful to use the above steps to minimize the likelihood of cyberattacks when surfing the internet.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Signs You’ve Been Hacked and How to Avoid It | From Keepnetlabs.com in Apr 2025
• Equifax, Apache Struts, and CVE-2017-5638 vulnerability | From Blackduck.com in Apr 2025