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SECURITY

Cybersecurity Basics: Protect Your Digital World

F. Cagri Bilgehan•February 20, 2026•9 min read
cybersecuritysecurityphishingransomwaredata protection

Cybersecurity Basics: Protect Your Digital World

A cyberattack occurs every 39 seconds. In 2025, cybercrime costs reached 10.5 trillion dollars. Small businesses are the most affected — because most don't take security measures. This guide covers the fundamentals of protecting your digital assets.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, and damage.

Most Common Attack Types

1. Phishing

Stealing user information with fake emails or websites.

  • 90 percent of attacks start with phishing
  • Fake bank, shipping, social media emails
  • Checking URLs saves lives

2. Malware

  • Virus — Copies itself, corrupts files
  • Trojan — Looks trustworthy, has a backdoor
  • Spyware — Secretly collects information
  • Ransomware — Encrypts files, demands ransom

3. Ransomware

  • Encrypts your files
  • Demands payment in Bitcoin
  • Paying is not the solution
  • Backups are the best defense

4. SQL Injection

Injecting malicious code into a database through web forms.

Username: admin' OR '1'='1' --

5. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service)

Crashing a server with excessive traffic.

6. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM)

Secretly monitoring or altering communication between two parties.

7. Social Engineering

Manipulating people to obtain information.

Essential Security Measures

For Individuals

Password Security:

  • Different password for every account
  • 12+ characters, letters-numbers-symbols
  • Use a password manager (Bitwarden, 1Password)
  • Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication)

Email Security:

  • Don't click links from unknown senders
  • Check attachments before downloading
  • Always verify URLs
  • Use antivirus software

Network Security:

  • Use VPN on public Wi-Fi
  • Change your router password
  • Keep your firewall active

For Businesses

Technical Measures:

  • SSL/TLS certificate (HTTPS)
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF)
  • Proper authorization and access control
  • Regular updates and patch management
  • Encrypted data storage
  • Proper backup strategy

Organizational:

  • Security training for employees
  • Security policies
  • Incident response plan
  • Proper auditing and logging
  • Security testing (pentesting)

Security Tools

| Tool | Type | Use | |------|------|-----| | Cloudflare | WAF/CDN | Website protection | | Let's Encrypt | SSL | Free HTTPS | | Bitwarden | Password manager | Password security | | OWASP ZAP | Security scanner | Web app testing | | Snyk | Dependency scanner | Code security | | Fail2ban | Intrusion prevention | Server protection |

OWASP Top 10 (2025)

Most common web security risks:

  1. Broken Access Control
  2. Cryptographic Failures
  3. Injection
  4. Insecure Design
  5. Security Misconfiguration
  6. Vulnerable and Outdated Components
  7. Identification and Authentication Failures
  8. Software and Data Integrity Failures
  9. Security Logging and Monitoring Failures
  10. Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is no longer optional — it's mandatory. With individual security habits and organizational security policies, protect your digital assets. A single breach can cost more than your annual revenue.

For security audits and hardening of your web applications, get in touch: info@cagribilgehan.com. Check out my projects: cagribilgehan.com