- A cyber assault is a malicious endeavour initiated by digital malefactors, including cybercriminals and hackers, aimed at breaching the security of a computer network or system.
- The primary objective is typically to manipulate, expropriate, obliterate, or disclose confidential data.
In today’s interconnected world, cyber security has become a critical concern for both individuals and organisations. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of cybercriminals, who relentlessly seek new avenues to exploit vulnerabilities. From malware and phishing to man-in-the-middle attacks, understanding the most common types of cyber security attacks is essential for safeguarding against the digital threats that lurk in the shadows of the internet.
Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks rely on psychological manipulation rather than technical prowess. Attackers craft emails or messages that appear to come from trusted sources, such as banks or online retailers, enticing recipients to reveal sensitive information or click on links that download malware. Spear phishing is a targeted variant, using personal information to make the scam more convincing. Phishing campaigns can result in identity theft, financial loss, and breaches of corporate data.
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Zero-Day exploits
Zero-day exploits target previously unknown vulnerabilities in software or hardware. Because the developers are unaware of these flaws, there is no patch available, leaving systems exposed until a fix can be developed and deployed. Zero-day attacks are highly prized by cybercriminals and nation-state actors, as they offer a window of opportunity for stealthy infiltration and data exfiltration.
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Ransomware
Ransomware, a subset of malware, encrypts a victim’s files or locks them out of their system until a ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrency. These attacks can spread rapidly across networks, impacting not just individual computers but entire organisations. High-profile ransomware outbreaks have demonstrated the potential for widespread disruption, affecting healthcare providers, governments, and businesses globally.
URL manipulation
URL manipulation exploits the surreptitious modification of web addresses, deceiving users into visiting phishing sites or inadvertently downloading malware. Hackers twist shortened URLs, commonly used for convenience, to lead victims to traps for personal data theft. By tampering with URLs, they also aim for unearned access to server internals, like admin interfaces and backup storage, by appending strings such as “/admin” or “/.bak”. This abuse of web application vulnerabilities can critically expose sensitive information and jeopardise system security.
DNS tunnelling
DNS tunnelling is a covert cyberattack method enabling hackers to bypass typical security defences like firewalls, facilitating the infiltration of networks. Malicious code is hidden within DNS traffic, typically overlooked by security systems. Once inside, the embedded programme allows remote access to servers, providing attackers with extended periods of undetected presence. This stealthy access permits data exfiltration, code manipulation, creation of new access points, and malware deployment, all evading standard security protocols for potentially weeks or months.
Drive-by download attacks
Contrary to many cyber threats that necessitate user interaction, such as clicking dubious links or downloading tainted attachments, a drive-by download attack transpires merely through visiting a compromised webpage. Cybercriminals capitalise on weaknesses inherent in browser plugins, applications, and web browsers themselves to surreptitiously implant malware onto a device, unbeknownst to the user. This form of attack exploits the inadvertent vulnerability of individuals merely seeking to access online content, turning routine browsing sessions into potential vectors for malicious software infiltration.
