Types of Cyber Security Threats

Cyber security threats are becoming more prevalent, sophisticated, and intense as a result of the surge in remote working and our increasing reliance on linked gadgets. Connected devices, of course, are here to stay for a long time. So, the best way to approach Cyber Threats is to accept that they will always be a part of the system and that we will have to adapt to keep our digital assets safe.

Cyber attacks can result in regulatory penalties, lawsuits, reputational harm, and business continuity interruptions in addition to serious financial losses.

In today's cyber environment, business and IT groups do not have much safety. Organizations often feel helpless as their confidential data and vital assets fall victim to malicious attacks as fraudsters increasingly rely on advanced technologies.

What are cyber security threats?

In the mid-1960s, the term "cyber" was used to refer to cybernetics, a branch of science concerned with the control and motion of machines and animals. Later on, it came to mean something that was computerized. 'Cyberspace' became a popular word around the turn of the century, referring to a physical space believed to exist behind the electronic operations of computing systems. It was coined to distinguish the online world from the rest of the planet. Everyone nowadays refers to it as a worldwide network of interconnected IT infrastructures.

A cyber threat, also known as a cyber security threat, is a hostile act committed by hackers to steal data or other assets, misappropriate them, or disrupt digital life in general. Cyber threats might originate from unknown persons in remote areas or from trusted users within an organization. While there are many types of cyberattacks designed to be annoyances, some are more dangerous and can even endanger human lives.

Types of cyber security threats

Broadly there are three categories of cyber threats - Disruption espionage, Corporate espionage, and State espionage.

All the cyber security threats mentioned below fall under these three main categories-

Malware

The most common cyber security dangers are malware assaults. Malware is a harmful software, such as adware, ransomware, viruses, and worms, that is placed on a computer when a user clicks on a malicious link or email. Malware can, among other things, prevent access to essential network components, damage the system, and collect confidential information once inside.

Phishing

This is a kind of espionage where a hacker in disguise of an email collects all the personal information of a person and uses it against him. These kinds of security threats are known as phishing.

A hacker disguises himself and collects personal information such as passwords and banking details. It is a very common method of cyber security threat. An email can be used to gather these data and malware is downloaded into the system when the email is opened. An individual can also activate malware by clicking a hyperlink in the email.

Spear phishing is a more advanced form of phishing in which thieves target exclusively privileged people like system admins and executives.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of software that prevents access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid. The attack encrypts all files on the target machine, rendering them inaccessible, and demands a monetary ransom to restore access to the owner. These attacks might range from minor annoyances to serious consequences.

Trojan virus

This sort of malware or code, named after the Trojan Horse from Greek mythology, masquerades as a legitimate standard application or file, tricking the user into loading and executing the virus on their system. Once inside the host system, the trojan releases malicious code that has the ability to cause network disruption, data theft, or other malicious behavior.

Denial of Service attack

Denial of Service (DoS) attacks try to flood systems with malware and other security threats. Multiple infected devices can potentially be used to launch an assault on the target system. A distributed denial of service (DDoS) assault is what this is called.

Wiper attacks

A wiper attack is a malware that aims to erase the hard drive of the computer it infects. Wiping, overwriting, or deleting data from the victim is involved. The majority of these attacks are damaging in nature and rarely involve a ransom. They are sometimes used to hide the tracks of different data theft that is taking place. Wiper attacks aren't usually hidden because they're not supposed to stay in the background.

MITM or Man in the middle attack

A MITM attack occurs when an attacker attempts to steal information by inserting himself in the middle of a conversation between two parties, such as a user and an application. Attackers can listen in or mimic one of the parties, making it look as if a normal information flow is taking place.

Drive-by downloads

An unintended download is known as a drive-by download. It often happens when installing corrupt software, spyware, and malware. There are two techniques for such download. Firstly, downloads are made with a user's permission but without the user's knowledge of the implications, such as downloads that download an unauthorized or counterfeit executable program. Secondly, downloads that occur without the user's knowledge, such as computer viruses, spyware, ransomware, or crimeware.

Malvertising

Malvertising, often known as malware advertising, is the practice of using web adverts to spread malware and corrupt computers. This is usually accomplished by injecting malicious code into advertisements.

Rogue security software

Rogue security software is a type of spyware and internet fraud that masquerades as legitimate software and leads consumers to believe their computer is infected. It persuades consumers to pay for a phony malware cleanup solution that infects their computer with malware.

Rootkits

Remote administrative access to a computer is provided via injecting software into applications, firmware, operating system kernels, or hypervisors. This technique is commonly known as rootkits. In a compromised environment, the attacker can start the operating system, obtain complete control of the computer, and deliver new malware.

Cryptojacking

Without the victim's awareness, attackers install software on their devices and begin using their computational capabilities to earn cryptocurrency. Cryptojacking kits can cause system instability and slow down affected systems.

Baiting

A person is enticed into a social engineering trap by the promise of something appealing, such as a free gift card. The victim gives the attacker sensitive information like credentials. This is known as baiting.

Pretexting

Under false pretenses, the attacker forces the victim into handing over information, similarly to baiting. This usually entails impersonating someone in a position of power, such as an IRS agent or a police officer, in order to force the victim to cooperate.

After learning about the types of security attacks let us probe into the matter more.

Sources of Cybercrimes

Cybercrimes can be of several types as already mentioned above. To protect yourself from security attacks the source of the cyber attacks are to be determined first. Here are some popular ones-

Hackers

To exploit vulnerabilities and try security breaches in a computer system or network, hackers employ a variety of approaches and techniques as computer security threats. Personal gain, financial gain, political activism, and occasionally even revenge and stalking drive them. For the thrill of the challenge or for bragging rights in the hacking community, hackers are capable of designing new dangers.

Terrorist groups

Terrorist enterprises mostly seek to penetrate systems or networks for financial benefit. To commit various thefts, scams, and extortions, they use phishing, spyware, spam, and malware.

National Cyberattacks

Nation-states invest an unusual amount of time and money to obtain an advantage in favor of national interests, gathering intelligence, and espionage, theft, and disrupting military power through cyber attacks. The extremes to which they go to achieve their strategic aims are demonstrated by attacks on software supply chains and attempts to collect IP data on vaccines. According to a recent study sponsored by HP Inc., certain governments adopt cybercrime strategies used by organized crime.

Corrupt employees of a company

Employees, contractors, other business partners, or third-party vendors who have legitimate access to an organization's assets but misuse them for financial or personal benefit are known as insiders.

Conclusion

Organizations utilize cybersecurity solutions to assist defend against cyber threats, as well as accidental damage, natural catastrophes, and other hazards.

Here are a few techniques to keep you safe from security issues-

IoT Security

Connected devices are frequently used to hold sensitive data, but they are rarely designed to be secure. IoT security solutions enable IoT devices to gain visibility and increase security.

Application test

Protect applications in production from risks such as network assaults, software vulnerability exploits, and web application attacks by testing software application vulnerabilities throughout development and testing.

Threat intelligence

Provides additional context for security events by combining multiple feeds containing data on attack signatures and threat actors. Threat intelligence data can aid security teams in detecting assaults, comprehending them, and devising the best reaction.

Cloud Security

Detects and fixes incorrect security setups and vulnerabilities in public, private, and hybrid cloud infrastructures.

Network Security

Detects potentially harmful activity and allows enterprises to restrict, filter, or reduce threats by monitoring network traffic.