A Survey on Cyber Security Threats and Prevention Techniques

Authors:

Mrs. S. Lakshmi Bhargavi¹, V. Siva Satya Sai Krishna ²

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, St. Martin’s Engineering College, Hyderabad, India slakshmibhargavicse@smec.ac.in

 ² Student, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, St. Martin’s Engineering College, Hyderabad, India satyavuriti@gmail.com

Abstract

Cyber security threats have emerged as a critical challenge in the modern digital era, especially with the rapid expansion of interconnected networks and remote data access. Traditional security perimeters are no longer scalable in the face of sophisticated and evolving attack vectors, creating a need for automated and intelligent defense solutions. This paper presents a comprehensive review of contemporary cyber security threats, focusing on categories such as malware, phishing, ransomware, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). It examines how machine learning and deep learning models are utilized to detect anomalies, analyze malicious behavior, and ensure data integrity within various network environments. Additionally, the paper evaluates current prevention techniques—including encryption, firewalls, and AI-driven intrusion detection systems—using standard performance metrics. The study further explores critical limitations such as privacy concerns during monitoring, the human element in social engineering, and the rising complexity of securing IoT devices. The findings indicate that while intelligent technologies significantly enhance the speed and scalability of threat detection, a multi-layered approach incorporating both technical innovation and human-in-the-loop verification is necessary to ensure a resilient and trustworthy security ecosystem.

Keywords: Cyber Security, Malware Detection, Phishing, Ransomware Prevention, Artificial Intelligence, Network Security, Data Integrity, Intrusion Detection Systems.