In the modern world, Cybersecurity Attack is a topic of considerable importance and their importance will only grow as technology advances. Cybersecurity attacks come in all shapes and sizes, but there are some fundamental categories that they can be broken down into. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common types of cybersecurity attacks you need to know about and how to protect yourself from them!
Malware Cybersecurity Attack:
Malware Cybersecurity Attack is a type of malicious software that’s designed to damage or disable computers. It can also be used to steal information or money. There are many different types of malware Cybersecurity Attack, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware. Some malware is spread by email attachments or through infected websites. Others are installed when you download a file from the internet or open a message from a friend. How do cybercriminals get access to your computer? They could install malware on your computer after getting your login credentials through a phishing attack.
Or they might infect your computer with ransomware which encrypts all of your files then offer to decrypt them if you pay up. And this list goes on and on!
Phishing Cybersecurity Attack:
Most people have heard of phishing at this point, but in case you need a refresher: phishing is when a cybercriminal uses email or text messages to try and trick you into giving them sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link. This can be done by impersonating a trusted organization or individual. Keep an eye out for red flags like typos and unexpected requests for personal information, and never click on links from untrustworthy sources. In general, it’s best to be wary of any suspicious communication that comes your way over email or social media.
Hackers often create fake profiles on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to connect with their targets before asking for usernames and passwords. If you get any type of urgent message that seems sketchy, stop what you’re doing immediately, report the message as spam (if it was sent via email), delete the message (if it was sent via text), then go change your password just in case.
Social Engineering:
This type of Cybersecurity Attack relies on human interaction to trick people into divulging information that they shouldn’t. The attacker might pose as a customer service representative or IT support in order to get someone to hand over their login credentials, for example. Once the attacker has what they need, they can gain access to systems and data. That’s why it’s important to never give out personal information like passwords or PIN numbers online or by phone.
Phishing: It sounds like something from a fish story, but phishing is when attackers send emails containing links that look legitimate but are actually harmful. Some emails may ask you to click on an attachment, which will lead you to a site asking for your username and password which the sender already knows! Diversion: Diversion is when hackers take control of your device remotely through malware or other methods so that you think you’re doing one thing while they’re doing another thing behind your back.
Denial of Service (DoS):
A DoS Cybersecurity Attack is when a hacker prevents legitimate users from accessing a system. Usually by flooding it with traffic. This can be done by overwhelming the server with requests. Or by taking control of devices that are connected to the network and using them to send malicious traffic. A distributed denial of service (DDoS) Cybersecurity Attack is when a hacker uses multiple devices to launch a DoS attack. DDoS attacks are more difficult to defend against because they come from multiple sources.
Man-in-the-Middle (MiM) (eight sentences): A man-in-the-middle attack is when a hacker intercepts communication between two parties. The hacker can then eavesdrop on the conversation or even modify the messages being sent.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS):
A DDoS attack is when a hacker attempts to make a website or online service. Unavailable by flooding it with internet traffic from multiple sources. This can overload the server and cause it to crash, preventing legitimate users from accessing the site. They’re relatively easy to execute, making them one of the most common types of Cybersecurity Attack.
Botnet Cybersecurity Attack:
A botnet is a network of infected computers that a cybercriminal controls to launch security attacks. By using a botnet, attackers can send spam, distribute malware, and even launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
One type of botnet attack is called a DDoS attack. This is when the attacker floods a target website with so much traffic that it crashes. Another type of botnet attack is called phishing. This is when the attacker sends out emails that look legitimate, but are actually fake. There are other types of botnet attacks as well, but these are two of the most common. Botnets are a serious threat to businesses and individuals alike.
Zero Day Exploits:
A zero-day exploit is a security flaw that is unknown to the software developer. Attackers can exploit zero-day vulnerabilities to launch attacks that bypass security defenses and compromise systems. The term zero days refers to the fact that the flaw is unknown. Zero-day exploits are often used in targeted Cybersecurity Attack against high-value targets. They are particularly dangerous because they can create widespread impacts by exploiting flaws in widely used. Unpatched programs or operating systems. There have been many instances where zero-day exploits were discovered. But never disclosed to the public or quickly fixed by the vendor. Giving attackers ample time to use them for their own malicious purposes.
An example of this was demonstrated with the recent WannaCry ransomware attack. Which exploited an unpatched vulnerability in Windows 10’s SMBv1 protocol as well as EternalBlue. An NSA hacking tool leaked by hackers called Shadow Brokers. Who found EternalBlue via NSA contractor Harold T.
