Cyber-attacks. What are they and what are the most common threats?
Cyber-attacks are becoming more and more frequent in the digital world, especially thanks to the new form of cyber-crime initiated by "hacktivists", each with different motivations but coinciding on one of three points: Personal motives, politics, crime.
The most common threats in cyber-attacks include theft of data, theft of money and disruption of commerce or business, while those seeking retribution are socially or politically motivated and seek to draw attention to their causes, so they carry out attacks in the public domain.
Cyberattacks also often involve espionage, which can be carried out by a private individual, a criminal organization or state actors. If you want to discover the most common threats, you've come to the right place.
What are cyber-attacks?
Cyber-attacks are all attempts to steal data, disable computers or gain access to computer systems. To do so, they usually use malware, ransomware or phishing. A cyberattack can be carried out by practically anyone with sufficient computer knowledge and access to a computer.
This is how we will find external threats that include:
- Amateur hackers, also called hacktivists.
- Professional hackers, sponsored or not
- Individual criminals and organized groups
Although there are also internal threats, which are frequent in large companies or organizations, they are mainly represented by users with legitimate and authorized access to sensitive or important information. They can be:
- Partners, customers, clients, contractors, suppliers
- Current or former employees who continue to have access to the system.
- Employees with little knowledge of IT security procedures.
What is the target of cyber-attacks?
In general, computer attacks seek data, information, secrets and access to different systems. A summary list of the main targets of cyber-attacks in 2023, below:
- Personal data
- Access to IT infrastructure (Information Technology)
- Customer lists and their financial data
- Financial activity of the company
- Trade secrets
- Login credentials and e-mail addresses
- Personally identifiable information
The 7 most common types of cyber-attacks
Today's world, with increasingly modern technologies, allows cyber criminals to use advanced and sophisticated digital tools to target their cyber-attacks, which usually target businesses and personal computers, some of the most common are:
Backdoor Trojan
This is a type of vulnerability in the victim's system; as its name suggests, it creates a backdoor vulnerability that will allow the attacker to have remote control. Usually, the Trojan connects the victims' computer(s) to a botnet that the attackers use for another cybercrime.
Script attack between XXS sites
This type of cyber-attack inserts malicious code into real and legal websites, this application script will allow them to obtain the information of the user visiting that web page. JavaScript is frequently used for this type of cyber-attack, as is Adobe Flash.
DNS tunnel
It is a transaction protocol that exchanges data in the application, silently, or by means of this DNS tunnel simply establishes a communication channel with an external server that allows to extract data or control computers.
Malware or malicious programs
Malware consists of malicious software that disables the systems it infects; it can act by destroying data, deleting it or pretending to clean up files that allow the operating system to run better, but in reality, it is causing damage to the system.
DoS attacks
They are those that are distributed on the resources of a system, saturating it completely and preventing its correct operation. It decreases its capacity of response to requests, so that the execution of the system becomes clumsy. They are generally used as a preamble to a more elaborate attack.
Ransomware
Ransomware is one of the most sophisticated cyberattacks, it’s a malware that detects and uses the weaknesses of the system by means of a powerful encryption that allows to extract and retain data, or even to use the system itself as hostage. It is common for ransomware to be used to hijack a system and request a large amount of money in exchange for its release, an increasingly common extortion tactic on the Internet.
Phishing
These are computer attacks that allow the theft of confidential data or user access credentials. It can range from email access to obtaining credit card numbers for fraud. It is common that, in this type of attack, fraudsters send e-mails to text messages using fake hyperlinks, which are the key to the cyberattack.
How can cyber-attacks be reduced?
The best way to reduce computer attacks is through a practical and effective cybersecurity system. Only then will you be able to protect a company's confidential information and important systems, or any type of data that affects people and processes. Cybersecurity systems prevent attacks by detecting and reporting threats by means of:
- A security platform for data.
- Offensive and defensive security services for the detection and neutralization of digital threats.
- Identity and access management.
- Security information management.
How to protect yourself from a cyber-attack?
Cyber-attacks are a major threat in the modern world, so it is important that all Internet users know some keys to avoid cyber-attacks, and the easiest way to do it is with two useful tips:
Use modern, up-to-date equipment
Using up-to-date laptops and electronic devices at home and in the office is the first step to improving security and reducing computer attacks. Updates tend to resolve system bugs and security vulnerabilities in older versions. Of course, you cannot forget to install a good antivirus, preferably of the latest generation.
Do not provide personal data
Malware and Phishing are two common cyber-attacks that use fraudulent links to gain access to personal information. In social networks you will easily find numerous fake profiles that exist to steal data, therefore, never open links from suspicious sources, nor offer your personal data to any web page.
In 2021, cyber-attacks caused losses of 4.2 billion dollars (about $13 per person in the US) worldwide; due to the growing increase of cyber-attacks, it is important that all Internet users know the complexity and nature of cyber-attacks, which can destroy and damage a person, a business or a company. Do not fall into them!
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