KARACHI:
The constant development in the Information Technology (IT) industry has provided us with new and better modes of communication and improved accessibility. Nowadays, everything operates in cyberspace, which is a digital or virtual world connecting people globally. However, this has also increased the likelihood of cyber-attacks and hacks, which involve illegally accessing data, disrupting digital operations, and destroying information.
In Pakistan, there is little awareness of cyber security threats, which makes us more vulnerable to such threats. Cyber security threats can include malware, which is malicious software such as spyware, ransomware, viruses, etc. It is activated when a user clicks on a malicious link or attachment, which leads to installing dangerous software. Once activated, it can install harmful software, block access to network components, and covertly obtain information by transmitting data from the hard drive. Denial of service is when an attacker takes over several devices and uses them to invoke the functions of a target system, which causes an overload of demand eventually causing the website to crash. Other more common threats include phishing, which is fake communication that involves sending emails to trick receivers into opening them and carrying out instructions in the email or providing sensitive data. Password attacks are also very common and provide the hacker with immediate access to the data.
These are a few forms of cyber threats and there are many more, which are commonly used to harm individuals and organisations. Pakistan faces a serious risk of cyber-attacks due to our slow progress in the IT sector. The relevant authorities must allocate more resources to improve research and development in the sector and protect the country from cyber security threats because there are risks of data breaches.
Mudasser Hussain
Kallar Kahar
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2022.
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