We face threats every day while using our computers, and most companies are constantly under threat of computer viruses and phishing attempts. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Virus Basics | CISA, n.d.), “a computer virus is a program that spreads by first infecting files or the system areas of a computer or network router's hard drive and then making copies of itself.” With the abundance of networks in our society, an infected system in one network can spread a virus to another connected network. Viruses are capable of rendering computers unusable or unable to perform everyday tasks. In October 2020, six U.S hospitals were hit with the Ryuk ransomware, making inaccessible patient records and billing information (Middaugh, 2021). The crisis exposed the kind of computer-related threat that can affect people’s lives and disrupt patient care.
There
are several ways that computer systems are vulnerable to viruses. Malicious
programs such as worms that copy themselves across a network, exploit
vulnerabilities in programs on other computers. Vulnerabilities also come from
users clicking on a file they received via email. It can download and run
through a security hole exposed through a network connection (Carnegie Mellon
University, n.d.). Symptoms of viruses include freezing screens or beeping
sounds from keyboard use. However, some can be as destructive as reformatting a
hard drive.
According to new research (Alkhalil,
2021), phishing attacks, where cybercriminals use emails to lure unsuspecting users
to a malicious website to steal their identities, are also a threat to computer
systems. The danger is usually in email form, providing a link to an insecure,
fabricated website to provide personal or financial information. Victims can be
impacted by financial disruption, loss of reputation, or compromise of national
security. Adequate training is needed for employees to recognize the
differences in company communications or a fraudulent one.
Companies can take essential steps to protect against viruses and phishing attacks. Prevention and training can have a positive impact on safeguarding networks from phishing attacks and viruses. According to Hubbard et al. (1998), good anti-virus software updated regularly should be utilized to protect against virus attacks. Operating system and virus updates should be installed and kept current on a routine basis. Phishing attacks can be avoided by ensuring employees and users receive essential training to recognize the signs of fraudulent solicitations. Companies and households must take the necessary steps to have a fighting chance against computer viruses and phishing attacks.
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References
Alkhalil,
Z. (2021). Phishing attacks: A recent comprehensive study and a new anatomy.
Frontiers in Computer Science.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomp.2021.563060/full
Carnegie
Mellon University. (n.d.). What are viruses, worms and breakins?
Retrieved September 26, 2021, from https://www.cmu.edu/iso/aware/be-aware/virus.html
Hubbard,
J. C., & Forcht, K. A. (1998). Computer viruses: How companies can protect
their systems. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 98(1),
12-16. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1108/02635579810199708
Middaugh,
D. J. (2021). Cybersecurity Attacks during a Pandemic: It Is Not Just IT’s
Job! MEDSURG Nursing, 30(1), 65–66.
Virus
Basics | CISA. (n.d.). Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency. Retrieved September 26, 2021, from https://us-cert.cisa.gov/publications/virus-basics
