What Are the Types of Cybersecurity Threats?
Recent cybersecurity statisticsshow that organizations face a growing range of threats, including:
1. Malware
Malwareis a term that describes malicious software, which attackers use to gain access to networks, infect devices and systems, and steal data. Types of malware include:
2. Virus
Virusesare one of the most common forms of malware.They quickly spread through computer systems to affect performance, corrupt files, and prevent users from accessing the device. Attackers embed malicious code within clean code, often inside an executable file, and wait for users to execute it.
To prevent viruses from spreading, it’s important to educate employees regarding which kind of files they should and should not download on their computers but while connected to your network. For example, some companies choose to discourage employees from downloading files with .exe extensions.
3. Trojan horses
Trojan horsesappear as legitimate software, which ensures they are frequently accepted onto users’ devices. Trojans create backdoors that allow other malware to access the device. Because Trojans can be very hard to distinguish from legitimate software, it’s sometimes best to prevent employees from installing any kind of software on their computers without guidance.
4. Spyware
Spywarehides on a computer to track user activity and collect information without their knowledge. This allows attackers to collect sensitive data, such as credit card information, login credentials, and passwords.Spyware can also be used to identify the kinds of files that hackers hunt for while committing corporate espionage. By using automation to pinpoint their cyber bounty, attackers can streamline the process of breaching your network, only targeting the segments where they've located valuable information.
5. Ransomware
Ransomwareinvolves attackers blocking or locking access to data then demanding a fee to restore access. Hackers typically take control of users’ devices and threaten to corrupt, delete, or publish their information unless they pay the ransom fee.
Each ransom attack has to be handled differently. For example, while it’s always a good idea to contact authorities, in some cases, you may be able to find a decryption key on your own, or your cybersecurity insurance policy may provide you with a financial parachute.
6. Adware
Adwareresults in unwanted adverts appearing on the user’s screen, typically when they attempt to use a web browser. Adware is often attached to other applications or software, enabling it to install onto a device when users install the legitimate program.Adware is especially insipid because many employees don’t realize how serious it is, seeing it as a mere annoyance as opposed to a real threat. But clicking on the wrong adware can introduce damaging malware to your system.
7. Botnets
Abotnetis a network of devices that have been hijacked by a cyber criminal, who uses it to launch mass attacks, commit data theft, spread malware, and crash servers.One of the most common uses of botnets is to execute a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, where each computer in the botnet makes false requests to a server, overwhelming it and preventing legitimate requests from going through.
8. Phishing
Phishingis anattack vectorthat directly targets users through email, text, and social messages. Attackers use phishing to pose as a legitimate sender and dupe victims into clicking malicious links and attachments or sending them to spoofed websites. This enables them to steal user data, passwords, credit card data, and account numbers.
9. SQL injection
Structured Query Language (SQL) injectionis used to exploit vulnerabilities in an application’s database. An attack requires the form to allow user-generated SQL to query the database directly. Cyber criminals launch an attack by inserting code into form fields to exploit vulnerabilities in code patterns. If the vulnerability is shared across the application, it can affect every website that uses the same code.
10. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks
AMITM attackhappens when attackers exploit weak web-based protocols to steal data. It enables them to snoop on conversations, steal data being shared between people, impersonate employees, launch bots that generate messages, and even spoof entire communications systems.
11. Denial-of-service attacks
Adenial-of-service (DoS) attackinvolves attackers flooding a server with internet traffic to prevent access to websites and services. Some attacks are financially motivated, while others are launched by disgruntled employees.
What Are the Major Forms of Threats to Global Cybersecurity?
Global cybersecurity efforts aim to counter three major forms of threats:
1. Cyber crime
A cyber crime occurs when an individual or group targets organizations to cause disruption or for financial gain.
2. Cyber attack
In a cyber attack, cyber criminals target a computer or corporate system. They aim to destroy or steal data, do damage to a network, or gather information for politically motivated reasons.
3. Cyber terrorism
Cyber terrorism involves attackers undermining electronic systems to cause mass panic and fear.
