What is a Cyber Attack?
We’ll walk you through a cyber attack first, then we’ll move on to the many kinds of cyber attacks. We refer to an unauthorised third-party system or network access as a cyber assault.” Cybersecurity attacks have a number of detrimental repercussions.
Cybersecurity has suffered as a result of the COVID-19 incident. The frequency of cyberattacks has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Interpol and WHO cybersecurity.
After learning what a cybersecurity attack is, let’s examine the many sorts of cyberattacks cybersecurity.
Types of Cyber Attacks
Today’s globe is subject to a wide variety of cyber threats. It is simpler for us to defend our networks and systems against different sorts of cyberattacks if we are aware of them. Here, we’ll take a careful look at the top ten cyber-attacks that, depending on their size, could have an impact on either a small or large firm.
Let’s begin by going over the various categories of cyberattacks on our list:
1. Malware Attack
One of the most common kinds of cyberattacks is this one cybersecurity.
The trojan infection poses as trustworthy software. Spyware is software that secretly steals all of your private information, whereas ransomware locks down access to the network’s essential parts. Adware is software that shows banner ads and other commercial information on a user’s screen.
Malware enters a network by exploiting a weakness.
Now let’s examine how to stop a malware attack:
- Put antivirus software to use. It can safeguard your machine against infection. Some of the well-known antivirus programs include McAfee Antivirus, Norton Antivirus, and Avast Antivirus.
- Employ firewalls.
- Stay vigilant and refrain from clicking on shady links.
Maintain regular OS and browser updates.
2. Phishing Attack
One of the most prevalent and pervasive types of cyberattacks is phishing. It is a form of social engineering assault in which the perpetrator poses as a reliable contact and sends the victim phoney emails.
Unaware of this, the victim opens the email and either opens the attachment or clicks on the malicious link. Attackers are able to access private data and login passwords this way. A phishing attack also allows for the installation of malware.
The following things can be taken to avoid phishing attacks:
- Examine the emails you get carefully. The majority of phishing emails contain serious issues like spelling faults and format differences from those from reliable sources.
- Use a toolbar that detects phishing attempts.
Regularly change your passwords.
3. Password Attack
It is a type of attack where a hacker uses software and password-cracking tools like Aircrack, Cain, Abel, John the Ripper, Hashcat, etc. to decipher your password. Password attacks can take many different forms, including dictionary attacks, brute force attacks, and keylogger attacks.
Here are a few strategies for guarding against password attacks:
- Make your passwords strong alphanumerics with special characters.
- Avoid using the same password across several accounts or websites.
- Update your passwords to reduce the risk of a password attack.
Keep any password suggestions hidden from view.
4. Man-in-the-Middle Attack
An eavesdropping attack is also referred to as a man-in-the-middle attack (MITM). In this attack, the attacker hijacks the session between a client and host by interfering with a two-party communication. Hackers steal and alter data in this way.
The client-server communication has been disabled, as can be seen here, and the communication channel now passes through the hacker.
By doing the actions listed below, MITM attacks can be avoided:
- Pay attention to the website’s security while you use it. Utilize encryption on your hardware.
- Avoid utilising open WiFi networks.
5. SQL Injection Attack
When a hacker modifies a typical SQL query on a database-driven website, it results in a Structured Query Language (SQL) injection attack. It is spread by inserting malicious code into a search box on a vulnerable website, forcing the server to divulge vital information.
This gives the attacker access to read, edit, and remove databases’ tables. Through this, attackers may also obtain administrative rights.
Defend against a SQL injection attack by:
- Utilize an intrusion detection system, as they are made to identify unwanted network access.
- Validate the information that the user has provided. By using a validation procedure, it controls user input.
6. Denial-of-Service Attack
A Denial-of-Service An attack poses a serious risk to businesses. In this case, attackers target systems, servers, or networks in this case and bombard them with traffic to deplete their bandwidth and resources.
When this occurs, the servers get overburdened with serving incoming requests, which causes the website they host to either go down or slow down. Valid service requests go unattended as a result.
When attackers employ numerous hacked systems to initiate this attack, it is sometimes referred to as a DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack.
Now let’s examine how to stop a DDoS attack:
- Analyze the traffic to find malicious traffic.
- Recognize the warning signs, such as network lag and sporadic website outages. In such situations, the organisation needs to act right away.
- Make sure your team and data centre are prepared to manage a DDoS attack by creating an incident response strategy, keeping a checklist, and more.
Contract with cloud-based service providers to prevent DDoS.
7. Insider Threat
An internal danger, as the name implies, involves an insider rather than a third party. In this situation, it can be someone who works for the company and is well-versed in its operations. The potential damage from insider threats is enormous.
Small organisations are particularly vulnerable to insider threats because their employees frequently have access to sensitive data. There are several causes for this kind of attack, including avarice, malice, and even negligence. Insider threats are tricky because they are difficult to predict.
In order to avoid an insider threat attack:
- A strong security awareness culture should exist within organisations.
Depending on their employment functions, companies must restrict staff access to IT resources. - Employers must train their staff to recognise insider risks. Employees will be better able to recognise whether a hacker has tampered with or is attempting to misuse the organization’s data as a result.
8. Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking is a phrase that has a lot to do with cryptocurrencies. For this, they also use JavaScript-coded internet advertisements. Since the crypto mining code operates in the background, the only indication that a victim might see is a delay in execution.
By taking the actions listed below, cryptojacking can be avoided:
- Update all of your security software and programmes since cryptojacking can infect even the least secure systems.
- Provide staff with training on cryptojacking awareness; this will enable them to recognise danger.
Zero-Day Exploit
As a result, the vendor alerts consumers to the vulnerability; nevertheless, the info also reaches the attackers.
The vendor or developer may need any amount of time to address the problem, depending on the severity of the vulnerability. In the meanwhile, the exposed vulnerability is the focus of the attackers.
10. Watering Hole Attack
Here, a certain group inside an organisation, locale, etc., is the victim. In such an assault, the attacker picks websites that the targeted group frequents regularly. Such an assault uses malware to target the user’s private data. Here, the hacker may also gain remote access to the compromised machine.
Now let’s look at how to stop the attack at the watering hole:
- Update your software to lessen the chance of a hacker exploiting a weakness. Make sure you routinely check for security fixes.
- In order to recognise watering hole attacks, use your network security tools. When it comes to identifying these suspicious actions, intrusion prevention systems (IPS) are effective.
- It is suggested that you keep your internet activities under wraps to avoid a watering hole attack. Use a VPN and the private browsing function of your browser to accomplish this. Through the Internet, a VPN offers a secure access to another network. It serves as a guard for your online browsing. A VPN that works well is NordVPN.
The top ten categories of cyberattacks were those. Let us now take you through the remainder of our post on different kinds of cybersecurity attacks.
