Cyberattacks happen on a daily basis, any organisation could be the next target to get hacked or experience a cyberattack. It is crucial to ensure that all devices, networks, and businesses have holistic protection against any form of cyberattacks on a 24/7 basis. Cyber criminals do not take vacations, and neither should your cyber security solutions.
7 Most common types of cyberattacks:
- Malware:
Malicious software or malware are developed to enter networks through different vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities occur with outdated applications, software and devices, as well as users clicking on malicious links in emails that automatically install software on devices without the knowledge of the user. Malware include viruses, ransomware, worms, and spyware. These forms of cyberattacks disrupt computers and steal information from databases and hardware components.
The disruption from the malware includes the blocking of access to network components, as well as rendering the entire system unusable. Malware causes major damages to any business, it is critical to discover them quickly before they gain access to sensitive business data and then rendering the devices as inoperable.
2. Phishing:
Fraudulent communication through emails is a clear sign of cyber criminals attacking your business through phishing. Imposters are sending emails to different individuals within a business, these attacks are dedicated to gaining sensitive information from the individual as well as the business.
Criminals imposter legal entities and require the individuals to input sensitive information, such as credit card information, onto a fake website. These sites also tend to download software onto the device once the links have been clicked. Phishing is a common cyberattack that many individuals fall victim to, it is important to be informed on how to spot the real from the fake with emails.
3. Man-in-the-middle attacks:
Cyberattackers have the ability to eavesdrop and attack devices through vulnerable and unprotected networks. Hackers insert themselves into network traffic that offers them the ability to filter and steal data from individuals. Through open and unprotected Wi-Fi connections, hackers have the ability to insert themselves in a device and network without any knowledge of the visitor. This connection allows the visitor to give information through the attacker to someone else.
Once the device has been hacked, it is possible for the hacker to install software that enhances the stealing and processing of the victim’s data. This also allows hackers to intercept themselves within conversations and imitate the other party to gain access to more information. These spoof conversations could lead to the loss of sensitive information as well as financial losses.
4. Denial-of-service attacks:
Flooding software systems, servers, networks, and websites with massive amounts of traffic is an intuitive cyber-attack that exhaust the resources and bandwidth of any business. The result of these attacks are that the systems cannot fulfil the requests and thus shuts down. Compromised devices are used to launch these attacks in order to cause more damage to the systems.
These DDoS attacks are used to stop operations rather than to steal information. Forcing services to shut down is the key motive behind Distributer Denial of Service and Denial of Service attacks. It is important to implement robust software and remove legacy systems to prevent them from shutting down during a DoS or DDoS attack.
5. SQL injection:
SQL (Structured Query Language) injections are attacks that occur when attackers insert malicious code into a server of a business that uses SQL. These injections force the server to showcase information such as passwords and usernames. SQL injections are more technical attacks that showcase a lot of sensitive information about customers and different users.
SQL injections are based on commands that force the databases to show information that should be kept secure. By submitting the malicious code, attackers have the ability to shut down the entire system after they extracted the information that they required.
6. Zero-day exploits:
Cyber security vulnerabilities exist in software and network systems, hackers exploit these vulnerabilities before patches are implemented. Zero-day attacks compromise systems and steal sensitive information as the attackers gain access to the overall system through undetected vulnerabilities from different software solutions.
Zero-day exploits occur without the knowledge from the manufacturers and software companies. Attackers utilise the minimal time gap that there is before patches or upgrades are deployed. Vulnerability detection is critical to prevent zero-day attacks.
7. DNS tunnelling:
Unique cyberattack method that has the ability to encode data of different programs or protocols to allow the attacker access to servers while bypassing firewalls. DNS tunnelling allows attackers to bypass traditional cyber security systems and software to gain access to the systems and networks of other businesses.
This attack allows attackers with the ability to latch onto a server and extract sensitive information from it through remote access. This is a severe cyberattack, especially if it goes unnoticed, as hackers have the ability to make changes to the server and steal a lot of information from the business as well as the customers.
It is vital to have robust and comprehensive cyber security solutions implemented to prevent even the most common cyber security attacks. Secured Enterprise offers any sized business with tailored cyber security solutions that offer robust protection.
We provide managed cyber security solutions that ensure your business, devices, and networks are protected even when you are not in the office. Holistic cyber security solutions that ensure that teams are educated on different forms of cyber threats to help prevent them.
Do your part and be cyber smart with the ability to understand different cyberattacks and how to prevent them. Secured Enterprise offers real time cyber security solutions and threat intelligence for comprehensive protection against all cyber security attacks.