Over 600 million cyberattacks target Windows users every day

Cyberattacks are more common than ever, and if you’re a Windows user, you’re probably feeling the impact more than others.

Hackers are always targeting Windows PCs, and you’ve probably seen reports about how vulnerabilities in the system allow criminals to gain access to your personal and financial information.

However, if you want to understand how many cyberattacks Windows users face on a daily basis, you’ll be shocked to learn that the number is well over 600 million. This proves that cyberattacks are increasing today more than ever.

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Microsoft recently released its annual Digital Defense Report for 2024and reveals the state of the cybersecurity world.

“Over the last year, the cyber threat landscape has become increasingly dangerous and complex. The world’s malicious actors are increasingly resourced and prepared, with increasingly sophisticated tactics, techniques and tools that challenge even the world’s best cyber security defenders.”“ the company said.

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Microsoft says it has itself fallen victim to well-orchestrated attacks by determined and well-resourced adversaries “Customers are exposed to more than 600 million cybercriminals and state attacks every day, ranging from ransomware to phishing to identity attacks.”

These attacks don’t just affect everyday users. Hackers also target government agencies, companies and organizations. The U.S. healthcare system alone was reported to have suffered 389 successful cyberattacks this fiscal year, resulting in network shutdowns and delays in critical medical procedures.

The Redmond-based company also points out that the increasing threat of cyberattacks no longer just comes from regular cybercriminals. Thanks to greater investments in resources and training, nation states are stepping up their game in the cyber world with more advanced techniques. These state-sponsored hackers don’t just steal data. They launch ransomware, set up backdoors for future attacks, sabotage operations, and run influence campaigns. According to Microsoft, China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are the biggest players.

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According to Microsoft, 99% of identity attacks are password attacks. They rely on predictable human behaviors such as choosing easy-to-guess passwords, reusing them across multiple websites, and falling prey to phishing attacks. This shows the importance of using a reliable password manager.

A password manager helps you avoid common mistakes that make you an easy target for hackers. It stores all your passwords securely, generates strong, unique passwords for each website, and autofills them when needed, so you don’t have to remember or reuse weak passwords. Additionally, it protects you from phishing attacks by ensuring you only log in to the right websites. All of this reduces the chances of your accounts being hacked and ensures that your data is more secure. For more information on my best expert-rated password managers of 2024, click here.

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1. Enable two-factor authentication: Activate Two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of security for all your important accounts, including email, banking and social media. To use 2FA, you must provide a second piece of information in addition to your password when logging in, such as a code sent to your phone. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to access your accounts, even if they have your password. Enabling 2FA can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect your sensitive data.

2. Monitor your accounts and transactions: You should regularly check your online accounts and transactions for suspicious or unauthorized activity. If you notice anything unusual, report it immediately to the service provider or authorities. You should also check your credit reports and credit reports to see if there are any signs of identity theft or fraud.

3. Contact your bank and credit card company: If you believe hackers have obtained your banking or credit card information, they could use it to make purchases or withdrawals without your consent. You should inform your bank and credit card company about the situation. They can help you freeze or block your cards, dispute fraudulent allegations and issue new cards for you.

You should also contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit file. This makes it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name without verification. If necessary, you can even freeze your credit.

4. Use personal data removal services: Consider investing in personal information removal services that specialize in continuously monitoring and removing your personal information from various online databases and websites. These services use advanced tools and techniques to identify and remove your information from people search sites, data brokers and other platforms where your information may be exposed. By using a data erasure service, you can minimize the risk of identity theft and fraud, especially after a data breach. Additionally, these services often provide continuous monitoring and alerts, so you can stay abreast of any new incidents of your data that appear online and take immediate action to remove them. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

5. Sign up for Identity Theft Protection: Identity theft protection companies may monitor personal information such as your state of residence, social security number, phone number, and email address and alert you if it is used to open an account. They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

The best part about using some services is that they may include up to $1 million in identity theft insurance to cover losses and legal fees, as well as a white glove fraud resolution team with a US-based case manager to help you with the Compensation for any losses helps. Check out my tips and best tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

6. Have strong antivirus software: The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private data is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, protecting your personal information and digital assets. Get my pick of the best antivirus winners of 2024 for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

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Cyberattacks are becoming more and more dangerous and hackers are much better equipped to carry out the perfect attack. They even use artificial intelligence and deepfakes to make everything seem more legitimate. Add to this the fact that many of these attacks are supported by nation states, and it is clear that we need to strengthen our cybersecurity – more investment is definitely needed. On the positive side, Microsoft managed to block around 1.25 million DDoS attacks, which is four times more than last year. This shows that they are working hard to provide users with a safer experience.

Do you think AI and deepfakes will make cyber threat detection more difficult? Let us know by writing to us Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Original source of the article: Over 600 million cyberattacks target Windows users every day