What Is a Cyberattack? Cyberattack Types & How to Prevent

Most people save their information, such as email ID, SSN, and credit card details, on websites. This enables a faster and hassle-free online experience. However, it also makes users vulnerable to cyberattacks. In this article, we’ll discuss cyberattacks, the different types that exist, and how to prevent cyberattacks.

What is a cyberattack?

A cyber attack is, by definition, any deliberate attempt by hackers to damage a computer network, system, or technology-dependent enterprise. The individuals who carry out cyber attacks are referred to as cybercriminals, hackers, or black-hat actors. 

Hackers are people who use their computer skills to find weaknesses in a computer network and exploit them to achieve their evil motives. An individual or a group of criminals can execute an attack from any location using different tactics. This takes place after identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems. 

Operatives working on behalf of governments also engage in cyber espionage. Sponsored groups of computer experts are recognized as nation-state attackers. Their targets often include critical infrastructure, governmental networks of rival nations, and non-government entities.

These attacks take many forms, such as stealing data, disrupting services, or gaining unauthorized access to systems. Cyber threats use various methods to acquire data held within these systems.

A man becomes victim to a cyberattack

Why do cyberattacks happen?

Bad actors plant attacks for various reasons, from petty financial gains to causing disruption. The motivation depends on the goals.

  • Financial gains. Many cyberattacks are financially motivated. Cybercriminals seek to steal money directly, like through bank fraud, or indirectly, by stealing sensitive data that can be sold on the dark web. With ransomware attacks, data thieves demand payment to restore access to encrypted data. 
  • Data theft or espionage. Data is highly valuable to cybercriminals. Cyberattacks can be used for espionage purposes, where attackers steal sensitive information. This information can include trade secrets, intellectual property, or classified government data.
  • Disruption and chaos. Some attackers’ agenda is to disrupt operations. Their goal is to cause chaos by targeting critical infrastructure. The resulting chaos can harm services belonging to a competitor. 
  • Revenge. Disgruntled employees with a personal vendetta may launch cyberattacks to seek revenge. These insider threats can be particularly damaging because the attackers often have legitimate access to the organization's systems and data. 
  • Cyberwarfare. Nation-states sometimes engage in cyber warfare to disrupt their adversaries' critical infrastructure. This can include attacks on power grids, communication networks, and financial systems. Cyber warfare weakens the enemy's capabilities without engaging in physical conflict. 
  • Political and ideological motives. Attacks by hacktivists aspire to promote a political agenda or disrupt the operations of organizations they oppose. Their actions seek not just disruption but also public shaming. 
  • Terrorism. Cyberterrorism involves using cyberattacks to create fear, disrupt services, and cause harm. Terrorist organizations target government agencies to further their goals.

Unfortunately, in the digital age, almost nobody is safe from the threat of a cyberattack. Protecting yourself and your information is as crucial as ever.

How a cyberattack works 

Black-hat hackers employ numerous techniques to launch cyber attacks, depending on whether they target a specific enemy or an untargeted entity. 

In untargeted attacks, cybercriminals strive to compromise as many systems as possible. They exploit software vulnerabilities or use scam emails to distribute malicious code.

Another common method is phishing. In these attacks, insiders send out large volumes of socially engineered emails designed to entice recipients into clicking on links that download malicious code.

In targeted attacks, hackers focus on specific organizations, using methods tailored to their objectives. Examples include DDoS attacks, such as the suspected 2020 attack by Anonymous on the Minneapolis Police Department in 2020. 

A cyberattack typically involves several methodical steps aimed at breaching security defenses. It starts with reconnaissance, where the attacker gathers information about the target to identify vulnerabilities. The attacker then gains initial access through methods like phishing. 

Once inside, they establish a foothold by installing malware or backdoors to maintain access. The attacker escalates their privileges to gain higher-level access. This allows them to move laterally within the network. 

Depending on their goals, attackers may steal sensitive data. Finally, they cover their tracks to avoid detection. They typically either delete logs or use encryption to hide their activities.

Ten common types of cyber attacks

Cybercrime activities have increased in number and complexity. You should be aware of different types.

Malware 

Malware is the type of cyberattack hackers prefer the most. Today, they use fireless malware to circumvent cybersecurity tools already aligned to protect against unusual threats. A malicious code is embedded using a native scripting language to harm your device or server.

It's common because it encompasses various subsets such as viruses, spyware, worms, bots, and Trojans. Malicious files deny access to the vital components of any network.

Phishing 

Extremely common phishing attacks involve social engineering techniques that deceive users into sharing their personal information. Attackers use fraudulent emails primarily to entice an unsuspecting victim with hidden intent.

The fraudulent messages will appear legitimate, but the malicious script gives attackers an advantage in accessing and controlling your device. 

DDoS attacks

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks originate from multiple systems. The attacks are meant to disrupt the normal traffic of a system to overload bandwidth or resources.

This means that the system won’t fulfill or process legitimate requests. Instead, the hacker takes a system offline and achieves service denial to intended users.

Ransomware attacks

Advanced ransomware allows threat actors to block access to device files once the system is infected. Unless a ransom is paid, they threaten to publish the data on the dark web.

Many online businesses have lost money from these hacking activities because cybercriminals demand hefty payment through untraceable cryptocurrency to regain access to their system.

Password attacks

Malicious users can control and manipulate your system by accessing your passwords. Password attackers use brute force attacks to try all possible variants to guess passwords. They use a combination of information to obtain unencrypted passwords.  

MitM (man-in-the middle) attacks

MitM attacks take place when a hacker eavesdrops on a conversation between two-party transactions. Attackers insert themselves in the middle of a web application and network user. The scheme is to collect confidential information for their benefit. 

Attackers can decide to impersonate one party to solicit additional information. They change logins, initiate the transfer of funds, and even complete other transactions. MitM attacks get their place when you connect to unsecured public WiFi networks. 

IoT-based attacks

The rise of the Internet of Things presents a growing number of IoT attacks. Attackers have identified access points to unleash the personal information of the users. 

Due to the steady growth of IoT devices, businesses need to invest in reliable security tools for their operating systems.

SQL injections

These occur when spammers embed suspicious code into unprotected websites using SQL. The end result is access to protected information. To prevent SQL injections, you should deploy parameters such as statements with limited queries.

Zero-day exploit

Think of a recently announced network. Exploiting the vulnerability of a new network before a patch is released is easy. Zero-day exploits are highly valuable in the cybercriminal market due to their potential for significant impact.

DNS tunneling

Domain name system tunneling leverages DNS queries to maneuver around traditional security measures aligned by organizations. Cyber terrorists create and transmit code within a network. 

Once infected, they can extract data, IP information, and identity by encoding it into DNS responses.

Consequences of cyberattacks

A successful cyber attack has horrible consequences for any organization. When an attack happens, it can lead to data breaches and manipulation. Businesses incur financial losses and reputational damage. Furthermore, customers lose trust in them. 

It's on record that cybercrime will have inflicted damages totaling $6 trillion globally and is predicted to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025 – as per a special report by Cybercrime Magazine. And according to BBC News, 55% of half of UK businesses received cyber threats, although most were "novices" in terms of cyber readiness.

Fortunately, there are measures to mitigate these digital risks. Cyber professionals working at the heart of the system to combat malicious activities require one thing - adequate resources. 

How to protect yourself from cyberattacks

Everyone can fall victim to identifiable cyber threats. If big entities can be breached, any of us can. But this isn't a defeatist point; you can step up your cybersecurity protocols to improve your preparedness and learn how to prevent cyber attacks with the following tips.

  • Use strong passwords and authentication. It takes little effort for a motivated hacker to figure out passwords to your device, bank accounts, and emails. Keep on strengthening your login credentials by changing your passwords. Use a password manager to save multiple online passwords. 
  • Conduct audits to identify unusual activity. As your organization grows, you need to regularly check your accounts for unusual activity. You don't want to compromise your data security. Instead, you're looking to minimize the hacking activity. 
  • Use 2-factor authentication. Use two-factor authentication on important accounts to minimize the risk of hacking incidents. Similarly, a two-way firewall keeps off any suspicious attacks from unauthorized persons.
  • Regular software updates. No form of technology can stop a skilled malicious actor with enough resources and time. But with up-to-date software, you can stop the majority but not the plurality. It prevents malware from spreading quickly once the inevitable scams take off. 

Examples of cyberattacks 

The WannaCry Ransomware attack is deemed the biggest ransomware attack ever. In the spring of 2017, it left around 250,000 computers affected in 150 countries. This outbreak massively impacted a range of entities, including the NHS, America's FedEx, LATAM Airlines, Spain-based Telefonica, and more. 

It's estimated that a four-day WannaCry epidemic caused a global financial loss of up to 6 billion US dollars.  

Facebook also experienced its worst global outage sometime before August 2019 and decided not to notify its users - but it was recently made available in the public domain.

The "nightmare week" started with revelations that the social media giant had suffered yet another data breach, exposing personal data for over 500 million users.

Others include the NotPetya/ExPetr attack, Florida City's Water Supply in TeamViewer attack, and the Colonial Pipeline Cyber attack.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a cyberattack and a data breach?

A cyberattack is an attempt to harm systems, while a data breach involves unauthorized data access.

How can a VPN protect me from cyberattacks?

Using public WiFi can vastly expose your identity online. A virtual private network, or VPN, secures your WiFi connections by masking your IP addresses from hackers.

What are the effects of cybercrime?

Some common effects of hacking include security costs, identity theft, monetary losses, and piracy in the music industry.