13 Most Common CyberSecurity Attacks You Should Be Aware Of

Why do Cyber Attacks Occur?

Cybersecurity or network security attacks can arise from several factors that might go from personal to professional level. Few of them target individuals or businesses because of personal animosity. Having said that, CyberSecurity attacks are typically categorized as - 

• Political - The reasons for Political CyberSecurity attacks may include attempts to malign the related party by sharing malicious content or revealing confidential information. Using these tactics, socio-political attackers also try to gain attention.
• Personal - These attacks are generally performed on individuals as a tool for revenge by the person holding the grudge. It may include hacking, misuse of credentials, etc. 
• Criminal - Criminal groups carry out these types of cyber threats and associated individuals wrongfully to get money from people, get confidential information or steal data for a competitive edge.

Since businesses and organizations across a broad range of industry sectors and governments, including banks, retail, and BFSI, are actively hiring CyberSecurity professionals, the demand for them will only continue to grow. The future of cyber security around the globe is bound to increase growth. The primary issue is to accomplish those requirements by ensuring that the staff is adequately trained to perform these vital security functions. Thus, they'll have access to exciting and well-paying employment options upon the completion of their CyberSecurity Training and Certification!

Now that you’ve understood what a CyberSecurity and current Cyber Security threats are let’s take a look at various types of CyberSecurity attacks and how to prevent them.

1. Malware Attack

Malware attack is the most common type of Cyber Security threats examples. The term ‘Malware’ refers to malicious software like spyware, ransomware, adware, or trojans that are specifically created so as to disrupt the working of a system by destroying data.

Trojans disguise themselves like legit software. Ransomware denies access to the network’s major components, while Spyware is software that steals essential and confidential data without your knowledge. Adware is also software that shows content related to advertising, like banners on users' screens. 

Malware breaks into a network using a vulnerability, and when any user clicks on a malicious link, it downloads any dangerous email attachments or malicious content when an infected pen drive is used. 

How to prevent a malware Attack -

Use antivirus software - By using antivirus software like Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc., you can protect your system from a malware attack. 

1. Use firewalls - Firewalls help in filtering the traffic entering your device, which helps in protecting your system from malware.
2. Avoid clicking on suspicious links.
3. Regularly update your operating system.

2. Phishing Attack

Phishing attacks are also highly widespread types of attacks in Cyber Security, a type of social engineering attack where a cyberattacker pretends to be a legitimate contact and sends fake emails to the victim. 

Since the victim is unaware of this, opens the email attachment and clicks on the malicious link. In doing so, the attacker gains access to sensitive information and account credentials. Cyber attackers can deploy malware using a phishing attack. 

How to prevent a phishing Attack -

1. Always verify the emails that you receive. Most phishing emails contain prominent errors such as spelling mistakes and formatting errors. 
2. Use anti-phishing toolbars.
3. Always update your passwords. 

Many well-known institutions and academic programs have started offering fundamental to advanced level CyberSecurity Training Online Courses, including CyberSecurity Training Certifications for students as well as professionals who have the required knowledge and aptitude for this subject, like JanBask Training. A CyberSecurity fundamental level program may help in better educating students to face today's competent cybercriminals, given the rapid evolution of technology and the fluid nature of cybercrime. 

Another intelligent alternative is to attend an online cyber security course. Taking an online CyberSecurity Course to gain practical experience. To be a successful cybersecurity professional, you need to follow a Cybersecurity Certification Path, which contains everything like what cybersecurity certification is, its scope, different certifications, and much more…

3. Password Attack

In this type of attack, an attacker cracks your password using different programs and password-cracking devices. Brute force attacks and keylogger attacks are some of the types of password attacks.

How to prevent Password Attacks-

• Always use a strong password.
• Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.
• Always update your password.

4. Man-in-the-Middle Attack

MITM, i.e., Man-in-the-Middle Attack, is also referred to as an eavesdropping attack wherein an attacker comes in between a two-party communication. In simple words, in this type of attack, the attacker hijacks a session between a client and host and after this, the attacker steals and manipulates the data. The client-server communication cuts off, and instead of that, the communication line goes through the attacker. 

How to prevent Man-in0the-Middle Attack -

• Use encryption on your system and be careful about the security of the website you’re using.
• Avoid using public Wi-fi networks.  

5. SQL Injection Attack

SQL, i.e., Structured Query Language injection attack, is performed on database-driven websites wherein an attacker manipulates the standard SQL query by injecting a malicious code into an insecure website’s search box to make the server reveal confidential information. Because of this, the hacker can view, modify and delete database tables. Cyber attackers may get administrative rights using this. 

How to prevent SQL Injection Attack 

• Use an intrusion detection system that detects unauthorized access to a network. 
• Check the authenticity of user-supplied data, which helps to keep user input in check.

6. Denial-of-Service Attack

A Denial-of-Service attack is a severe danger to businesses where cyber attackers target computer systems, servers, or networks and fill them with unwanted traffic in order to use up their resources as well as bandwidth.

In case of such security attacks in network security, it becomes difficult for the servers to manage the incoming requests, eventually slowing down the website that it hosts. It also neglects authentic service requests.

This network security attack is also known as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack when cyber threat attackers utilize several compromised systems so as to initiate the attack.  

How to Prevent Denial-of-Service Attack

• By running a traffic analysis, identify malicious traffic.
• Recognize the warning signs such as network slowdown, intermittent website shutdowns, etc., and also take the required steps immediately during such events.
• Develop a proper incident response plan, maintain a checklist, and ensure that your team and data center can handle a DDoS attack.

7. Insider Threat

From the title, an insider threat doesn’t involve a 3rd party but an insider. In situations like this, it might be a person from inside the organization who might know everything about the organization. This one of the top Cyber Security threats can result in tremendous damage. 

In small organizations, insider threats are uncontrollable as the employee there holds access to several accounts with confidential information. There are many reasons behind these threats - it could be greed, ill feeling, or even negligence. Insider threats are difficult to predict; that’s why they’re tricky. 

How to prevent Insider Threats

• Organizations should have a good culture of security awareness.
• Companies must limit the IT resources staff can have access to depending on their job roles.
• Organizations must train employees to spot insider threats. This will help employees understand when a hacker has manipulated or is attempting to misuse the organization's data.

8. Crypto Jacking

This term is closely associated with cryptocurrency. It occurs when cyber attackers access someone else’s device for cryptocurrency mining. The cyber attackers gain unauthorized access by infecting victims' websites or by manipulating the target user to click on a harmful link. For carrying out crypto jacking, the attackers can take the help of JavaScript code ads, and the target users are not aware that crypto mining code is working in the background, and the only sign to witness crypto jacking can be a delay in the execution. 

How to prevent Crypto jacking

• Always keep your software and all the security apps updated because crypto jacking mainly infects unprotected devices
• Arrange crypto jacking awareness training programs for your employees, which will help them identify crypto jacking.
• Install ad blockers on your systems since ads are the primary source of crypto jacking threats. To detect and block crypto mining scripts install extensions like MinerBlock. 

9. Zero-Day Exploit

A Zero-day exploit can take place following the announcement of a network vulnerability, and in most cases, the vulnerability is difficult to resolve. Therefore the vendor detects it, thereby users get aware of it. 

Also, based on the vulnerability, the developer might take unpredictable time to resolve the issue. In the meantime, cyber security attackers can target exposed vulnerabilities. 

The malicious attackers ensure to exploit the vulnerabilities even before a security patch or solution is implemented for it. 

How to prevent Zero-day exploits:

• Organizations must implement fluent patch management processes and can use governance solutions to automatize the procedures. Which will accelerate the deployment.
• Organizations must have an incident response plan in order to handle cyberattacks. Also, maintain a proper strategy to focus on zero-day exploits. This way, minimizing or altogether avoiding the damage is possible. 

10. Watering Hole Attack

In a watering hole attack, the victim is a specific group of businesses or regions. During this attack, the cybersecurity attackers target websites that the targeted group commonly uses. These websites are detected either by cautiously monitoring the specific group or just by guesswork.

Following this, the malicious cyber attackers infect these targeted websites using malware, and it then infects the victim’s system/(s). In this type of attack, the cyber attackers target the victim’s personal information. It’s also possible that the attacker can take remote access to the infected system/(s).

How to prevent Watering Hole Attack 

• Regularly update your software and minimize the chances of a cyber attacker exploiting vulnerabilities. Ensure that you regularly check for security patches.
• For detecting watering hole attacks, use your network security tools. You can use IPS (Intrusion Prevention Systems) to identify such types of suspicious operations.  
• It’s recommended that you conceal all your online operations to prevent watering hole attacks.  For that, always use a VPN and also make good use of the private browsing features of your browser.
• A VPN helps in providing a secure connection with other networks over the web. It acts as a shield to all your browsing activities. 

All of those were the top 10 types of cyber attacks you should be aware of in [2022-23]. Now in the coming section, we’ll walk you through how to prevent different types of attacks in Cyber Security.

11. Botnet

Botnets contain a group of web-connected computer systems and devices that are invaded and manipulated remotely by cyber attackers. In order to maximize the size and power of botnets, vulnerable IoT devices can also be used by cybercriminals. These devices are frequently used for email spam, click fraud campaigns, and create unwanted traffic for DDoS cyber attacks. 

How to prevent Botnet Attacks 

• Always keep your software up to date.
• Keep a close tab on your monitor.
• Keep a watchful eye on failed login attempts.
• Install advanced botnet detection software.

12. DNS Spoofing

CyberSecurity attackers have long used DNS vulnerabilities to alter the IP addresses stored on DNS servers and resolvers using fake entries so that the targeted user can be redirected to a that is controlled by the hacker rather than to a legitimate website. The fake websites are designed to resemble the legitimate site the victim was trying to visit. Hence they aren’t suspicious when the victim is asked to enter login credentials to what the victim thinks is an authentic website. 

How to prevent DNS Spoofing

• Filter your DNS server.
• Check if the legitimate NameServer matches what is locally resolved.

13. URL Poisoning

A website URL is a distinct identifier required to detect a resource on the web and tell the web browser how and where to retrieve it. Cyber attackers can easily modify a URL so as to gain access to a victim’s personal information or resources to which they mustn’t have access. 

For instance, if an attacker gains access to a victim’s account at xyz.com and can view the victim’s account settings: https://www.xyz.com/acount?user=7248 and easily change this existing URL to https://www.xyz.com/acount?user=1337 to check whether they can access the account settings of user 1337. Now, if the web server of xyz.com doesn’t check if every user has legitimate authority to access the needed resources, specifically, if it contains user-provided inputs, then the attacker can see the account settings of user 1337 and might of every other user.

URL poisoning is carried out to collect personal information such as usernames, files, and database data or to access administration pages required to control the complete website. If the hacker does manage to gain access to privileged information by manipulating the URL, it’s called Insecure Direct Object Reference.

How to prevent URL Poisoning

• Fortunately, an antidote: DNS Security Protocol (DNSSEC), is available, which was developed specifically to counter DNS poisoning.

Undoubtedly, the CyberSecurity job market will be in demand and will continue to grow in future years. As there is a number of sub-disciplines, it’s not easy to point out one specific technical skill that needs to be acquired. But having said that, each of these disciplines has a CyberSecurity component, which is worth noting.

Most in-demand certifications in the CyberSecurity domain include- 

• CEH -Certified Ethical Hacker.
• OSCP-Offensive Security Certified Professional.
• CISA – Certified Information Security Auditor.
• GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler)
• CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
• CISSP-ISSAP (Certified Information Systems Security Architecture Professional)
• CISSP-ISSEP Information Systems Security Engineering Professional.
• CISSP-ISSMP Information Systems Security Management Professional.