# ๐ก๏ธ Introduction to Cybersecurity Fundamentals
**Cybersecurity** is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. Whether you’re managing a personal blog or administering servers for an enterprise, understanding cybersecurity fundamentals is essential.
## ๐ The CIA Triad: Core Principles
At the heart of cybersecurity are three foundational principles โ known as the **CIA triad**:
### 1. Confidentiality
– Ensures information is accessible only to those authorized to view it.
– Techniques: Encryption, access controls, secure passwords.
### 2. Integrity
– Ensures data is not tampered with or altered by unauthorized individuals.
– Techniques: Checksums, hashing, version control, audit logs.
### 3. Availability
– Ensures systems and data are accessible when needed.
– Techniques: Redundancy, failover systems, DDoS protection, regular backups.
## ๐งจ Common Threat Types
– **Phishing**: Deceptive emails tricking users into giving away sensitive data.
– **Malware**: Malicious software like viruses, ransomware, trojans.
– **Man-in-the-Middle (MitM)**: Attackers intercept communication between two parties.
– **Denial-of-Service (DoS/DDoS)**: Overwhelm servers with traffic to make services unavailable.
– **Zero-Day Exploits**: Attacks using vulnerabilities unknown to software vendors.
## ๐ ๏ธ Security Best Practices
– Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
– Keep systems and software updated (patch management).
– Back up data regularly.
– Train users on identifying phishing and social engineering.
– Use firewalls and endpoint protection tools.
## ๐ก Why Cybersecurity Matters
Even small websites and personal devices are targets. A breach can lead to data loss, legal consequences, or damage to your reputation. In an increasingly connected world, cybersecurity is no longer optional โ it’s fundamental.
## ๐ What’s Next?
In the next articles, weโll dive deeper into topics like:
– Types of cybersecurity tools (IDS/IPS, SIEMs, firewalls)
– Home lab setup for learning security testing
– OS hardening and least privilege principles