Top 10 Most Common Types of Cyberattack and How to Prevent Them
What is Cyberattack?
A cyberattack is any malicious attempt by cybercriminals like hackers to gain unauthorized access to a computer system and change, destroy, steal or expose data.
Who Are Targets of a Cyberattack?
Cyberattacks can target various entities, including individuals, organizations, governments, and even entire nations.
According to the BlackBerry Global Threat Intelligence Report, in 2024 the top 5 industries targeted by cyberattacks are Finance (50%), Healthcare (20%), Government & Public Sector (18%), Food (4%) and Utilities (4%). The Finance industry is the most targeted industry by hackers due to the large potential financial gains and sensitive customer data it holds. The same goes for the healthcare industry, as the importance of health would lead to higher chances of successful ransom payments.
How Does a Cyberattack Affect You?
A Cyberattack can have devastating effects on businesses, impacting their operations, finances, reputation, and even their long-term viability. Here are some of the ways in which cyberattacks can affect your business:
- Financial Losses: A cyberattack can result in direct financial losses through theft of funds, fraudulent transactions, ransom payments demanded by attackers, or legal liabilities and regulatory fines. There may also be additional costs from restoring systems, conducting forensic investigations, and implementing cybersecurity measures.
- Disruption of Operations: Certain cyberattacks, such as ransomware attacks or denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, can disrupt normal business operations by encrypting data, shutting down systems, or overwhelming networks, leading to downtime and productivity losses.
- Intellectual Property Theft: Cyberattacks targeting intellectual property (IP) can result in the theft or unauthorized disclosure of valuable trade secrets and patents, compromising your company’s competitive advantage.
- Reputation Damage: Cyber incidents such as data breaches can damage your company’s reputation and erode customer trust.
- Regulatory Compliance Risks: Non-compliance with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), can result in significant fines and penalties for businesses that experience data breaches.
Top 10 Common Types of Cyberattacks
A cyberattack can take numerous forms, such as malware infections, phishing scams, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, ransomware, data breaches, and many others. Here are the most common types of cyberattacks you would most likely face:
1. Malware
Malware definition: Short for “malicious software,” malware is any type of software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, network, or device. This includes viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware, which can steal data, corrupt files, or take control of systems.
2. Phishing
Phishing definition: Phishing is a type of cyberattack where attackers use fraudulent emails, messages, or websites to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords, usernames, credit card numbers, or personal data. These attacks often impersonate legitimate entities or organizations and use social engineering tactics to exploit human psychology and trust.
3. Ransomware
Ransomware definition: Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim’s files or locks them out of their system until a ransom is paid.
4. Denial-of-Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
Dos/DDoS definition: DoS/DDoS attacks are cyber attacks that aim to disrupt access to a targeted system, network, or service by overwhelming it with excessive traffic, requests, or other malicious activity. In a DoS attack, a single attacker or source is responsible for generating the traffic, while in a DDoS attack, multiple compromised devices are coordinated to amplify the attack’s impact.
5. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
Man-in-the-middle Attack definition: In a Man-in-the-Middle attack, an attacker intercepts and alters communication between two parties, such as a user and a website, without their knowledge. This can occur in unsecured Wi-Fi networks or compromised systems. MitM attacks can be used to eavesdrop on sensitive information, modify or manipulate data, or impersonate one of the parties involved.
6. SQL Injection
SQL injection definition: SQL injection is a type of cyber attack where attackers exploit vulnerabilities in web applications to execute malicious SQL commands and gain unauthorized access to databases. These attacks can allow attackers to extract, modify, or delete data stored in the database, potentially compromising sensitive information.
7. Zero-Day Exploits
Zero-day exploits definition: Zero-day exploits target vulnerabilities in software or hardware that are unknown to the vendor or have not been patched yet. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code before a fix is available. Zero-day exploits are considered particularly dangerous because they give attackers a head start before
8. Social Engineering
Social engineering definition: Social engineering is a technique used by attackers to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information, performing actions, or providing access to systems or resources. These attacks exploit human psychology and trust through deception, persuasion, or impersonation. This includes pretexting, baiting, tailgating, and other tactics that exploit human psychology and trust.
9. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-Site Scripting definition: Cross-Site Scripting is a type of cyber attack where attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or deface websites. XSS vulnerabilities are commonly found in web applications and can be used to conduct various types of attacks.
10. Credential Stuffing
Credential stuffing definition: Credential stuffing is a cyber attack where attackers use stolen username and password combinations obtained from previous data breaches to gain unauthorized access to other online accounts.
How to Prevent Cyberattacks
Preventing cyberattacks requires a combination of proactive measures and ongoing vigilance. Here are some practical tips on how to help prevent cyberattacks:
Keep Software Updated
Regularly update your operating system, software applications, and antivirus programs to patch vulnerabilities and protect against known security threats.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create complex passwords for all accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager to securely store and manage passwords.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. This requires a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your mobile device, in addition to your password.
Be Wary of Suspicious Emails and Links
Exercise caution when opening email attachments or clicking on links, especially if they are from unknown or untrusted sources. Be vigilant for signs of phishing attempts, such as misspelled URLs or requests for sensitive information.
Use Secure Connections
When accessing sensitive websites or online services, ensure that the connection is secure by looking for “https://” in the URL and checking for a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar.
Back Up Your Data Regularly
Regularly back up important files and data to an external hard drive, cloud storage service, or backup server. This will help you recover your data in case of ransomware attacks, hardware failures, or other data loss incidents.
Limit Sharing Personal Information
Be cautious about sharing personal information online, especially on social media and other public platforms. Limit the amount of personal information you share and adjust privacy settings to control who can access your data.
Use Security Software
Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices and keep them updated with the latest definitions. Consider using additional security tools, such as firewalls and ad blockers, to further enhance your protection.
Use Vulnerability Management Tools
Further enhance your cybersecurity measures by implementing vulnerability management tools. These tools help identify vulnerabilities across your systems and networks, allowing you to address them before they can be exploited by attackers. By regularly scanning for weaknesses, patching known vulnerabilities, and monitoring for emerging threats, vulnerability management tools like 8iSoft YODA play a crucial role in preventing cyberattacks and safeguarding your organization’s digital assets.
> Check out the Top 10 Vulnerability Management Tools for Cybersecurity
Secure Your Home Network
Secure your home Wi-Fi network with a strong password and encryption (e.g., WPA2 or WPA3). Disable remote management features and regularly update your router’s firmware to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Educate Yourself and Others
Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. Share these valuable tips from this article to educate yourself, your family members, and your colleagues about common scams, social engineering techniques, and how to stay safe online.