Cyber attacks are soaring and new kinds of threats are emerging all the time. From ransomware to state-sponsored attacks, the internet has become unrecognizable to web users of a decade ago.
Businesses need to do everything they can to avoid a data breach. Because once you’re infected, things get very complicated very quickly.
Read on to learn about the most common types of cyber risks.
Phishing
The most common type of cyber attack is phishing. This is a means of obtaining personal information by pretending to be an entity the person trusts. This attack typically begins with an unsolicited email from a malicious entity that looks like it is from a reputable source.
The email will typically contain a link to a website. It then requests the person provide the information. The email may also contain an attachment with malicious code that installs spyware or malware on the computer.
Other ways of phishing include SMS messages, phone calls, malicious pop-ups, and even messages sent via social media. Prevention of such attacks always comes down to the user’s vigilance. People should be cautious when providing personal information online and always verify that the request is coming from a trusted source.
Malware
Malware is one of the most common types of cyber attacks. It refers to malicious software that is installed on a computer system. It’s added without the user’s knowledge or permission.
Examples of malicious software include:
- Viruses
- Worms
- Trojan horses
- Spyware
Cybercriminals use malware to steal personal data and intellectual property. Malware can also be used to delete and modify data, encrypt files, and launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. In many cases, malware is designed to remain hidden and can be difficult to detect and remove.
Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks
DoS attacks involve sending a lot of malicious information to a server at once. DDoS attacks are a step up from DoS. They use more than one method to send malicious traffic.
This gives a lot of power to the attacker to flood resources. This makes it harder for the machine being attacked to defend itself. In both cases, the goal of the attack is to use up all of the system’s resources and stop it from working.
Both types of attacks can be hard to spot and can cause a lot of data loss and trouble with operations. The strikes could hurt security for some time afterward.
Man-In-The-Middle (Mitm) Attacks
Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks are one of the most common types of cyber attacks. It is when a hacker intercepts two entities. In other words, the hacker is impersonating both parties in order to gain unauthorized access to secure data. Attackers can use this type of attack to:
- View secure information
- Steal passwords and financial data
- Inject malicious code into secure systems
- Alter data for malicious purposes
MitM attacks are often successful. This is because the attack is difficult to detect and standard security measures may be insufficient to protect against them. A Co-Managed IT team can keep you aware of the latest mitigations.
SQL Injection
SQL Injection is one of the most common types of cyber attacks. It involves a malicious user taking advantage of input fields. This is within software designs to manipulate a back-end database.
By exploiting these vulnerabilities, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to the database server, steal or manipulate data, or even execute malicious commands. The attacker may insert malicious code into the application, as well as create or delete new tables or columns in the database.
If not properly protected, attackers can even gain access to the operating system itself. Organizations need to ensure that comprehensive SQL Injection protection measures are in place to help guard against attacks and keep their data secure.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is one of the most commonly encountered types of cyber attacks. XSS attacks are a type of injection attack, wherein an attacker injects malicious script into a web page, typically either through an input field or by exploiting a vulnerability in a popular plugin.
This malicious code then has the ability to execute on the victim’s browser and steal sensitive information from the victim’s machine. XSS is particularly dangerous since it can give attackers complete control over a website and its data.
XSS is also difficult to detect since it can be embedded anywhere within a web page and is usually disguised as legitimate code. XSS attacks typically involve scripts that, when loaded, can be used to steal sensitive data, redirect users, manipulate user data, and execute malicious code on user machines.
Password Attacks
Password Attacks are the most common type of cyber attack. Hackers gain access to user accounts by stealing or guessing passwords. Cybercriminals are continuously coming up with new ways to access passwords.
Attackers use various techniques such as brute force attacks, social engineering, and phishing to crack passwords. With brute force, attackers try to guess a user’s password by repeatedly trying different combinations of characters until one works.
Social engineering tactics may include sending out malicious links in emails, in the hopes that a user will click and reveal their credentials. Phishing is one of the most popular methods and hackers typically use malicious websites disguised as legitimate platform logins.
Avoid Cyber Attacks Today
Cyber attacks are a serious problem in today’s digital world and there are many different types that can have a devastating impact. Thankfully, with the right knowledge and understanding, businesses can protect themselves and reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.
Investing in security professionals and regularly training staff in cybersecurity is a great way to arm yourself against these attacks. Don’t wait; start protecting your business today!
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Thomas Jackson is a dynamic and talented content writer at WonderWorldSpace.com, renowned for his engaging and informative articles. Beyond his professional pursuits in writing, Jack is also known for his deep passion for fitness, which not only shapes his lifestyle but also influences his work.