Cyber attacks are a part of the modern world and can come in many forms. The most basic type is phishing, where a spam email containing malware tricks you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. Other types include:
- Spear phishing (where the attacker knows your name).
- SQL injection (also known as code injection or database poisoning).
- Distributed denial of service (DDoS).
1 Phishing
Phishing (pronounced “fishing”) is a type of cyber attack that generally involves sending messages to trick you into providing sensitive information. Phishing comes from the idea that criminals are trying to lure you into giving up your data by making it look like they are a legitimate company or individual.
Phishing attacks generally take place over email, but they can also occur in other ways, such as through chat apps or text messaging. For example, phishers might claim they need your personal information to verify that you are who you say you are. They may create websites that look like legitimate sites with links directing users to enter their login credentials on another site.
2 Spear phishing
Spear phishing is a phishing attack targeting a specific individual or organization. It is often more successful than standard phishing attacks because it involves more research and planning.
The attacker may spend months researching the target’s work and interests. For example, they may build a profile on their social media accounts that seem natural.
3 Malware
Malware is a general term for malicious software. Malware can be a virus, trojan, worm, or rootkit. It can be installed manually or automatically by an attacker or by a user. Also, it may reside on your computer when you download it from an infected website, open an email attachment containing the malware, or install it through another method such as a USB flash drive.
Ransomware attacks are a common type of malware that most companies experience. Zscaler’s experienced professionals explain, “These attacks have quickly become a preferred method of extortion by cybercriminals. As organizations hold larger amounts of sensitive data—and as remote and hybrid work models expose endpoints to new vulnerabilities—hackers are taking advantage by leveraging this effective cybercrime method.”
4 SQL Injection
SQL injection is a type of attack that exploits a security vulnerability occurring in the database layer of an application. SQL injection attacks usually occur when a user enters information into a form field for processing by the database. The attacker’s code is then injected into that page, resulting in some action on their behalf or at least access to your system and data.
5 Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a common way of disrupting service. DDoS attacks are often used to extort money from companies and businesses or take down services for ideological reasons.
A DDoS attack can be launched by anyone with basic technical knowledge and access to cheap or free software tools. DDoS attacks are typically carried out by botnets — networks of infected computers remotely controlled without the owners’ knowledge.
The takeaway is that cyber-attacks are not going away and are becoming increasingly sophisticated. To help protect yourself against them, you should ensure your software is current, use a good antivirus program and have backups in place.
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