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Cyber threats in the UK

In this step, we provide an overview of cyber threats in the UK.
Cyber attacks in the UK are regularly reported on in the news.

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey report by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (2019: 2), 32% of businesses and 22% of charities have experienced cyber security breaches or attacks over the past 12 months.

The report also highlights that cyber attacks tend to be more common in medium-sized businesses (60%), large-sized businesses (61%) and high-income charities (52%).

Computer security concept

The three most common cyber attacks include:

  • Phishing attacks
  • Others impersonating an organisation in emails or online
  • Viruses, spyware or malware – including ransomware attacks

Your task

Read this news article about cyber crime on the BBC website and discuss in the comments area the ways in which we can protect ourselves from cyber crime.

Reference

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (2019) Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2019. [online] available from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791940/Cyber_Security_Breaches_Survey_2019_-_Main_Report.PDF [27 June 2019]

© Coventry University. CC BY-NC 4.0
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