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Cyber attacks are a common threat in the modern online landscape. Whether you call them bad actors, cyber criminals or hackers, the individuals and groups behind cyber attacks can cause serious damage when successful. Read more to learn what cyber attacks are, what the consequences of them can be and how to stay safe online.
What does a cyber attack mean?
The goal of a cyber attack can be to steal or destroy data, disrupt important digital systems or critical infrastructure, gain access to computer systems and steal money. The methods for carrying out a cyber attack range from inserting malware into an application or website to making the device part of a larger network of devices used to carry out further cyber attacks.
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Common characteristics of a cyber attack include:
Malicious intent. A cyber attack is aimed at causing harm, gaining an illegal advantage or stealing and damaging data.
Vulnerable targets. Cyber attacks target vulnerable individuals and organizations, seeking weaknesses in digital systems to gain unauthorized access.
Advanced tactics. Cyber criminals use sophisticated methods to cause cyber attacks, including phishing, ransomware, Trojans, social engineering, and DDoS attacks.
Harmful motives. The motive of the attack can range from financial gain and spying on individuals or organizations to causing political disruption.
7 common types of cyber attacks
Cyber criminals use various tactics to carry out cyber attacks. Here are seven common types of cyber attacks to look out for:
DoS and DDoS attacks
DoS stands for denial of service, and DDoS stands for distributed denial of service. In a DDoS attack, the aim is to take down the target, such as a server, by bombarding it with a large number of requests. As a result, the targeted service is unavailable or becomes difficult to use.
XSS attacks
Cross-site scripting, or XSS in short, means that hackers insert malicious code into a web application, using a vulnerability they have discovered. XSS attacks are a way for cyber criminals to steal sensitive data and spread malware.
Trojan horses
Trojans are a way for cyber criminals to sneak malicious software into files, such as email attachments. Once a Trojan is on a victim’s device, it can steal data and spread other viruses.
Zero-day attacks
A zero-day attack is a vulnerability in a software’s protection that has not yet been fixed. When these vulnerabilities are not patched, cyber criminals may exploit them in what has come to be known as a zero-day attack, or zero-day exploit.
Phishing
The goal of phishing is to trick the victim into revealing their private information, such as passwords and online banking credentials. Phishing attacks use malicious links and malware disguised as email attachments.
Ransomware attacks
Ransomware attacks lock infected devices and encrypt files. To regain access to them, the victim must pay a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.
Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks
Man-in-the-middle attacks involve an attacker inserting themselves into a connection between two parties and impersonating one of the parties or applications. By hijacking the connection, the attacker can steal sensitive information or direct the victim to malicious sites.
Goals of cyber attacks
The motives behind cyber attacks vary widely and depend heavily on who is behind them. Here are a few common reasons why nations and criminals may carry out a cyber attack:
Monetary gain
Not surprisingly, many cyber criminals are after money. A common way to steal money after a cyber attack is through ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that can encrypt and lock devices or files. The victim regains control of their device or data only after they pay a ransom, or that’s what the criminals tell their victims. The ransom is often paid in cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.
Political goals
Hackers with a political agenda, or hacktivists, can carry out cyber threats to make a political point. As the 2016 presidential elections in the United States showed, cyber attacks and disinformation can influence elections and sway voters’ political opinions.
Espionage and stealing sensitive data
A cyber attack can be carried out to gain individuals’ personal information or other sensitive data. For example, a company may try to steal its competitors’ business secrets to gain an edge over its rivals. Spyware, which is malware used to spy on the infected device, is a way for hackers to steal information, such as financial information and passwords, as well as to conduct espionage.
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Consequences of cyber attacks
Even individuals are not immune to the threat posed by cyber attacks. In addition to the many types of cyber attacks aimed at ordinary people, they can cause all sorts of harm to organizations as well. Consequences of cyber attacks include:
Data theft. Both individuals’ and organizations’ data, such as passwords, pictures and other documents, can be stolen and leaked publicly in data breaches. Some information might even be sold on the dark web.
Identity theft. Stolen passwords, credit card numbers and private data can be used for identity theft. Malicious actors might use your stolen identity to conduct other malicious activities.
Financial harm. For individuals, financial consequences include stolen banking details and unauthorized access, while organizations can lose millions on ransom payments, legal expenses, and revenue losses.
Access loss. Both individuals and firms might lose access to valuable assets, such as personal accounts, files, software and whole networks.
Stress and anxiety. Victims of cyber attacks often experience psychological effects, such as stress, anxiety, and insecurity, both during and after the events.
Operational disruption. Attacks targeting corporations can disrupt entire computer networks and business operations, requiring robust security measures and threat detection to stop them.
Reputational damage. Firms can experience significant loss of trust and reputational damage due to leaked information or operational disruptions.
How to prevent cyber attacks?
Detecting cyber attacks can be challenging, particularly because the initial interaction with malware often occurs silently in the background on a device. Follow these five steps to prevent cyber attacks:
Install a trusted cyber security software, such as F‑Secure Total.
Back up your data at both the individual and corporate levels.
Encrypt corporate data to give access only to selected people.
Use strong, unique passwords and store them in a password manager.
Update your software regularly and do not click on suspicious links in emails.
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