Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Exposing 6 Myths That Threaten Digital Safety

This October, like every October, is Cybersecurity Awareness Month — a time to sharpen our defenses against digital threats. While there are plenty of tricks and tips to employ, we decided it’s time we debunked the pervasive cybersecurity myths that continue to affect businesses and consumers. Join us as we clear the fog on the realities of cybersecurity to ensure everyone is informed, vigilant, and safe from potential cyber threats!

Myth 1: Antivirus software is all you need for protection against malware.

Antivirus (AV) software, while foundational to cybersecurity, is not entirely sufficient on its own due to its inherent limitations in detecting new and complex malware. Traditional AV systems primarily rely on signature-based detection methods that must know about a virus beforehand to identify it. This means that zero-day threats—newly emerging threats that exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities—often slip through these defenses unnoticed. Consequently, AV cannot effectively guard against novel malware engineered to evade traditional detection techniques.

Not a myth: Pairing antivirus with advanced Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) technology enhances malware defense by addressing these gaps. CDR takes incoming files and systematically strips them down to essential components, removes potentially harmful elements, and then reconstructs clean, sanitized files for safe use. This process ensures that even previously unseen threats are neutralized before they can cause harm. By combining AV’s broad-spectrum detection capabilities with CDR’s proactive file sanitization, organizations achieve a comprehensive defense mechanism that effectively counters known and new malware threats.

Myth 2: Malware attacks are primarily targeted at large corporations.

Contrary to popular belief, malware attacks do not exclusively target large corporations. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are also significant targets, comprising 43% of cybercrime victims, according to a report by Accenture. This vulnerability arises because SMBs often lack the comprehensive security measures that larger entities typically implement, making them more accessible targets for cybercriminals looking for easier entry points.

Despite possibly having less data or fewer resources to pay ransoms, small businesses present attractive targets for cyberattacks. Their limited investment in advanced cybersecurity technologies and often inadequate cybersecurity training for employees make them susceptible to various threats, including phishing and dangerous email attachments. This lack of robust defenses and cybersecurity awareness increases the risk of successful cyberattacks regardless of business size.

Not a myth: SMBs are often over-stretched and under-budgeted, which means implementing and maintaining large tech stacks is out of the question. SMBs should look to automated cybersecurity platforms that cover more bases under one roof (malware, privacy, etc.) and don’t require constant monitoring and manual mitigation.

Myth 3: My data isn’t valuable, so I’m not a target for cyberattacks.

The belief that one’s data isn’t valuable enough to attract cyberattacks is a dangerous misconception. No matter how trivial it may seem, every piece of data holds potential value for cybercriminals. Personal details can be used for identity theft, while seemingly mundane information can be aggregated with other data for more significant attacks or sold on the dark web. Cybercriminals exploit any data they can access, making it crucial for individuals and businesses to protect all data vigilantly.

From a business perspective, businesses have a fundamental responsibility to safeguard all consumer data housed or processed. This obligation stems from ethical business practices and is also mandated by various data protection regulations worldwide. Protecting consumer data helps prevent identity theft and fraud, preserving customer trust and the company’s reputation. 

Not a myth: Businesses must implement stringent security measures and data management practices to ensure that all types of sensitive data, including consumer data such as PII, PCI, and PHI are protected from unauthorized access and cyber threats. While DSPM and DLP vendors can help mitigate private data theft, they are reactive in nature, meaning threat actors are already inside before the alarm bells ring. Advanced Data Detection and Response (DDR) platforms can mask private data while it’s in motion, ensuring that even if a breach were to occur, the data would be unusable to unauthorized users. 

Myth 4: Using a private browsing mode keeps my data secure and private.

The belief that private browsing modes like incognito offer comprehensive data security and privacy is a myth. While these modes prevent browsing history, cookies, and other session data from being stored on your device, they do not conceal your online activities from websites, internet service providers, or potential eavesdroppers on your network. This means that your interactions remain visible and traceable by external entities.

Not a myth: Integrating technologies like CDR can enhance security and privacy. CDR acts as a protective barrier between end-users and the internet, filtering and neutralizing potentially dangerous data before it reaches users’ devices. This proactive approach, combined with other technologies like sandboxing and EDR, provides a robust defense against a wide range of cyber threats, including zero-day exploits and other sophisticated attacks that traditional security measures might miss.

Myth 5: Once I delete data from a device or server, it’s gone forever.

The common belief that deleting data from a device or server results in its permanent removal is mistaken. Deleted data remains recoverable on the physical disk until it is overwritten multiple times. Secure deletion tools are necessary to ensure the data is irrecoverable, as these tools repeatedly overwrite the data with random information, effectively erasing the original content beyond the capabilities of most recovery methods.

Moreover, data often exists in multiple locations beyond the initial deletion point. Databases, for instance, might have residual backups or temporary files that preserve data even after the main file has been deleted. Office documents similarly create temporary files that might not be removed with the main file’s deletion. Shared storage environments further complicate data deletion, as copies downloaded or saved by others might persist independently of the original file’s removal. 

Not a myth: This risk of exposing private data can be diminished by using technologies like DDR, which can mask sensitive data from files when they are shared, preventing it from persisting outside other expected storage locations.

Myth 6: Cybersecurity is solely a technology issue.

The notion that cybersecurity is purely a technological issue is a myth. Effective cybersecurity involves a harmonious blend of technology, people, and processes. Human error remains one of the most significant vulnerabilities in securing data, necessitating the integration of regular training, clear data handling policies, and a robust security culture within organizations. These elements are essential to fostering an environment where security measures are present and actively upheld by informed and vigilant individuals.

Not a myth: Technological solutions can be designed to seamlessly integrate into daily operations, significantly enhancing security without burdening end users. Advanced DDR technologies, such as Votiro, operate as inline APIs that can obfuscate private information and eliminate malicious content without user intervention. This seamless integration ensures that security measures do not disrupt workflows, allowing employees to remain productive while automatically enforcing data protection policies, thus reducing the risk of breaches caused by human error.

How to Combat Data Security Myths

Votiro helps organizations of all sizes protect the privacy of their data and prevent zero-day threats from crossing into multiple endpoints. Our Zero Trust DDR seamlessly integrates into existing infrastructure to keep organizations safe without adding stress in the form of increased alerts or staff training. 

By intelligently masking data based on fine-grained security controls, information necessary for staff and partners to do their job can be shared without having to disclose sensitive information that is not necessary or goes against compliance regulations. This allows teams to safely share and collaborate without worrying about spreading private data in the process. 

To help ensure data is protected from malware threats that can steal data and send it to attackers, Votiro integrates a combination of AV and CDR into the DDR process. The AV eliminates known threats, while the CDR deconstructs files and recreates them from known-safe components, eliminating previously unknown threats and zero-day attacks in the process. Plus, Votiro ensures the use of safe macros and other necessary elements to keep productivity high. 

Not a myth: Signing up for a one-on-one demo of the Votiro DDR platform will help you learn all about our capabilities and how they can keep you safe and compliant. You can also try Votiro free for 30 days and see for yourself how we proactively defend your data.