Learn the Top 10 Most Common Types of Cybersecurity Attacks
1. Malware
Malware is the most well-known type of attack and includes several types of attacks including spyware, viruses, ransomware, and worms. Malware breaches a network through a vulnerability, typically when a user clicks a suspicious link and downloads a document that contains malicious software that is instantly downloaded. The code can be hidden inside legitimate software and once downloaded will wreak havoc on that individual's device or spread to other connected devices. Completing some basic cybersecurity training courses to learn some best practices will help you think twice before clicking suspicious links.
2. Phishing
A phishing attack uses fake communication, such as an email or text message, that looks like it is coming from a reliable source (some are easier to spot than others). In the communications, there is a link that will lead the user to a fake credentials page. Attackers are usually trying to get credit card information, SINs, or trying to get the user to download malware. Again, learning some basic best practices in an A+ certification training course or a Fundamentals+ certification training course should help you become aware of these types of attacks.
3. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM)
A man-in-the-middle attack, or eavesdropping attack, is when a bad actor intercepts a two-party transaction by breaching into a vulnerability such as an unsecured public Wi-Fi network. To the users, it looks like nothing is happening, making this type of attack dangerous to companies that have remote workers that may be using unsecure Wi-Fi. End-to-end encryption protocols and firewalls are the best way to protect against MitM attacks.
4. Denial-of-Service (DOS)
A denial-of-service attack floods a system so that it cannot respond to service requests. While doing only this not does do much damage to the victim, this is a suitable time for attackers to take a system offline to launch a different attack. The most common type of DOS attacks are TCP SYN flood attacks, teardrop attacks, smurf attacks, ping-of-death attacks, and botnets.
5. SQL Injections
A Structured Query Language (SQL) injection is a type of cyber-attack that results from inserting malicious code into a server that uses SQL. An attacker could carry out a SQL injection simply by submitting malicious code into a vulnerable website search box. To protect your system from SQL injections, implement blacklisting and whitelisting within the application itself and taking advantage of the least-privileged model by only allowing people that absolutely need access such as IT and cybersecurity team members with Security+ certification training or Network+ certification training.
6. Zero-day Exploit
A zero-day exploit is when a new or recently announced network vulnerability is exploited in the window of time between discovery and patch update. This typically happens to widely known software or operating systems that must disclose a vulnerability to the public, making it easy for attackers to target organizations that are currently using the unsecure software or operating system.
These last four are more recent types of attacks or just starting to be used and we do not yet know what such attacks are capable of:
7. Emotet
Emotet first emerged as a banking trojan in 2014 that attempted to sneak onto your computer and steal sensitive and private information. Each version became more powerful with different types of malwares being incorporated and evolving to more of a botnet. It became one of the most dangerous malwares and accounted for almost two-thirds of malware payloads delivered by email in 2019. But, guess what? In January of this year, the Emotet botnet infrastructure has been taken down as Europol, FBI, and other agencies took control of it after a two-year coordinated operation! The cybercriminals who started Emotet are still unknown, so the dangers of what Emotet was is still there and people need to be aware of it.
8. Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking has increasingly become popular as the value of cryptocurrency increases. Cryptojacking is malicious crypto mining that happens when cybercriminals hack into both business and personal computers, laptops, and mobile devices to install software. This software uses the computer’s power and resources to mine for cryptocurrencies or to steal cryptocurrency wallets owned by unsuspecting victims. Not a widely known cyber-attack, but one that more people should know about; a new trend for hackers is to embed cryptojacking malware on YouTube channels.
9. IoT-Based Attacks
Internet of things devices, or smart devices, are generally less secure than our computers and phones and hackers are keen to exploit these devices. The first six months of 2021 saw 1.5 billion attacks on smart devices with hackers looking to steal data, mine cryptocurrency or build botnets. Smart devices are starting to become part of our everyday lives, and some people do not see them as connected to the internet or as a possible threat to their sensitive data.
10. AI-Powered Attacks
While there are few high-profile AI-powered attacks, that we know of, it is a scary thought to think about how cybercriminals will weaponize AI. One thing we are dealing with right now is bots, powered by AI, that are spreading misinformation on social media. AI phishing attacks are happening and make the messages harder to distinguish as AI can custom tailor each email and provide responses to make them seem more legitimate. Deepfakes is another AI-powered technology that can be used to target companies, such as when criminals used AI-based software to impersonate a CEO’s voice to get an employee to transfer €220, 000.
Six Easy Steps for Individuals
- Be smart when using public Wi-Fi
- Keep everything up to date
- Use two-factor authentication
- Clear your cache often
- Enable functional cookies only on websites
- Check a website’s reliability
Some attacks can be avoided or found before they make too much damage through developing a secure network and implementing constant pen testing and vulnerability checks. Take your knowledge further with ongoing cybersecurity training with courses like CySA+ certification training which focuses on human behaviour and social engineering and many others available through TechnoEdge Learning.
Update: As of Nov 16, 2021, Emotet appears to be back. Check out this article to learn more.
Written by Lindsay McKay
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