Cyber Attacks - Is Your Computer Going to Be Next?
Cyber attacks are attempts by cybercriminals or hackers to access computer networks or systems for the purposes of altering, stealing or destroying information. Cyberattackers utilize various techniques and procedures.
Criminally motivated attackers typically aim for financial gain with their attacks. They might take data and sell it on the dark web or hold information systems hostage for ransom payments.
1. Ransomware
Ransomware is an increasingly dangerous type of malware that encrypts data across an entire network, rendering applications and files inaccessible and forcing victims to pay a ransom to unlock decryption keys for access restoration. Such attacks can be especially costly to businesses as downtime increases and revenue decreases dramatically.
Attackers have increasingly focused their attacks on utilities, public infrastructure and healthcare institutions as well as ransomware attacks have proven highly profitable for criminals, netting billions in payments in just recent years alone. A variety of methods exist for attackers to gain entry to networks including phishing attacks, exploit kits and RDP vulnerabilities; examples of popular ransomware include SNAKE, BadRabbit, Cerber SamSam Ryuk.
Home users tend to be the primary targets for ransomware attacks due to their lack of data backup and failure to update software regularly (despite advice from security specialists). Business owners also fall prey to ransomware attacks as they fail to invest in needed cybersecurity solutions and keep up-dating them, leaving hackers open access.
When an organization experiences a ransomware attack, it's critical to isolate infected systems from the network and Internet in order to limit damage. Once isolated, affected devices must be prioritized for repair based on productivity and revenue impact; attackers should preferably not be paid; as there's no guarantee that encrypted data will ever be decrypted again; attackers have become more inventive over the years in demanding payments in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in order to remain anonymous and avoid detection.
2. Malware
Malware is software developed and deployed by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized entry to computer systems or networks, often for illegal gain. Malware can be used to steal data, cause damage or render systems inoperable - as well as cause further problems with legitimate programs like antivirus protection software or even cause distributed denial-of-service attacks that use an entire network of infected computers as conduits for sending back data back to its source attacker.
It comes in various forms including viruses, worms, trojans and adware that can steal data or cause systemic failure; viruses being the most popular forms while Trojans and adware are other variants of Malware used by criminals who gain unauthorized access and can steal it is one form while malware comes in other forms such as trojans; virus are all forms that cyber criminals use when using computer systems as they seek unauthorized access through networks infected computers to send data back to its source attacker.
Malicious actors may launch attacks for various purposes, from sowing chaos and confusion to exacting revenge on an entity or organization. Hacktivists typically initiate these types of activities in an effort to embarrass or discredit governments, companies or nonprofit organizations. Some attacks aim to compromise confidential data or intellectual property; others such as man-in-the-middle attacks intercept communication between two individuals to steal data; while still others flood networks and servers with traffic in order to make them inaccessible and disrupt operations altogether.
No matter their motives, modern cyber attacks are increasingly sophisticated. Cyber criminals utilize advances in business cybersecurity to develop multi-vectored malware with polymorphic code capable of adapting and evading detection - with businesses often targeted due to having larger attack surfaces than consumers.
Phishing, ransomware and malware are the three primary attack methods employed by cybercriminals. Phishing attacks involve sending an email or instant message with a link to an infected website that downloads malicious software onto your device when clicked upon. Malware/adware attacks occur when criminals breach servers of websites to inject ads with harmful code into them - either through direct downloads from ads themselves, or "drive-by downloads," where content on ads contains harmful software code that infiltrates devices through visitation of compromised websites with malicious display ads containing harmful code injected by cybercriminals containing "drive-by downloads."
3. Phishing
Cyberattacks come from criminal syndicates, professional hackers and even state-sponsored groups of computer experts known as nation-state attackers. Individuals not associated with organized crime or the military also launch cyberattacks using their own hacking skills - these hackers, known as "bad actors" or threat actors often search out systems weaknesses to exploit.
Malware allows attackers to steal information, damage devices and infiltrate networks; as well as use it extort money from victims using ransomware (locking computers and demanding payment to unlock them) or scareware (use of false messages to induce victims into downloading malware), or spyware (which secretly gathers and sends back sensitive data back to its attacker).
Hackers gain entry to systems by exploiting weaknesses in software code - known as zero-day vulnerabilities - which exist in programs which haven't been adequately patched or updated, giving hackers an entryway into systems and opening them up to more advanced threats such as Trojans, worms and rootkits.
Other motivations for cyberattacks may include theft of valuable intellectual property or proprietary information - an increasingly prevalent form of corporate espionage. Some hackers target government entities or non-profit organizations in order to sow discord, anger and distrust amongst members; they could also be seeking revenge against acts committed against them, as well as harming their reputations in some way.
Other cyberattacks aim to disrupt an organization's operations or the flow of its services, like DDoS attacks or phishing attempts. Cybercriminals may eavesdrop on conversations or perform man-in-the-middle attacks by reading and altering emails secretly sent between computers; attackers can even execute session hijacking attacks by intercepting connections between a user and servers hosting assets and swapping out IP addresses with that of their victim - making an organization vulnerable against theft by cybercrime.
4. Social Engineering
Cyber attacks come from many different directions and for various purposes. Hackers (known as threat actors or bad actors ) may operate individually or as part of a team and their goal could be theft of data or disruption to systems - they could launch such an attack anywhere around the globe.
Cyberattacks continue to proliferate at an exponential rate. Cybercriminals utilize malware, phishing and hacking techniques. Cyberattacks also target specific organizations or individuals; one form of targeted attack, spear phishing, involves crafting misleading emails with links that download malicious software if clicked upon; while whale phishing targets executives of large companies with the aim of stealing money or information.
Physical social engineering refers to a form of social engineering in which attackers gain entry physically into facilities or workplaces. They might posing as legitimate visitors such as couriers or delivery people authorized to enter. They might even pose as high-ranking executives to attempt trick the target into performing some kind of task for them - like wiring money over or providing access to networks.
Other types of cyberattacks include "drive-by download," in which unsuspecting users visit websites infected with malware and become susceptible to various attacks such as scareware or watering hole attacks that target specific victims by using personal information about them to infiltrate other websites they frequent.
5. Hacking
Whoever you are, whether business owner or individual, your devices are vulnerable to hackers and cyber attacks. Criminal hackers gain unauthorized entry via various methods like phishing, ransomware and social engineering in order to gain unwarranted access.
Their goal is usually the theft of information or disruption of networks - not destruction! Hacking first gained widespread notoriety during the 1990s due to high-profile cases like stealing proprietary software or hacking radio stations' systems for prizes in order to make headlines - these acts of crime gained much media coverage as high profile cybercrimes made headlines regularly throughout that decade; theft of proprietary software was among their crimes of choice!
Cyber attacks often happen for financial gain. An attacker will seek to acquire sensitive data such as financial records, personal identifiable information and trade secrets that could be valuable. They could also install malware that spreads among devices and encrypts your files so they are inaccessible by you.
Alternatively, criminals could use leaked online services data or drive-by download to infiltrate devices without user knowledge - potentially using phishing emails to coerce victims into providing login details or downloading software that allows them to gain control over their computer.
Attacks may be conducted for personal, vengeful reasons such as retaliation or revenge; other attacks may be launched for political activism and hacktivism - where hackers expose alleged wrongdoing in order to influence public opinion or bring attention to an issue of concern. Finally, some individuals become hackers for pure intellectual challenge - known as white-hat hackers; their counterparts, known as black-hat hackers, hack for illicit and illegal gain.
