Common Cyber Attacks

What is Phishing?

A cyberattack where scammers trick you into revealing personal information like passwords, credit card details, or Social Security numbers.

Common Signs of a Phishing Scam:

⚠️ Urgent or threating language ("Your account will be locked!")

📧 Suspicious email addresses or links

🔗 Unexpected attachments or links asking for personal info

🔑 Requests for sensitive data (passwords, bank details)

How to Stay Safe:

✅ Verify the sender before clicking links or downloading attachments

✅ Never share personal or financial information via email or text

✅ Look for misspellings or unusual formatting in messages

✅ Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for extra security

What is Malware?

Malware (malicious software) is any program designed to harm, exploit, or steal data from your device. It can spread through emails, downloads, fake websites, and even USB drives.

Common Types of Malware:

🦠 Viruses: Infect your files and software, spreading to other devices

🛡️ Worms: Self-replicating malware that spreads across networks

🔒 Ransomware: Encrypts your files and demands payment for decryption

🕵️‍♂️ Spyware: Secretly monitors your online activity and collects data

How to Stay Safe:

✅ Keep your software and antivirus programs up to date

✅ Avoid downloading files or software from unknown sources

✅ Be cautious of email attachments and links from unfamiliar senders

✅ Use a firewall to block unauthorized access to your network

What is Social Engineering?

Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into revealing confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Attackers use psychological manipulation, deception, and impersonation to exploit human vulnerabilities.

Common Social Engineering Tactics:

🎭 Phishing: Sending fake emails or messages to trick users into sharing sensitive information

🤖 Pretexting: Creating a false pretext or scenario to gain access to personal data

🔮 Tailgating: Following an authorized person into a restricted area to bypass security

🔒 Baiting: Leaving malware-infected devices or USB drives in public places

How to Stay Safe:

✅ Be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal or financial information

✅ Verify the identity of unknown callers or visitors before sharing information

✅ Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources

✅ Educate employees on social engineering tactics and security best practices

What is a Data Breach?

A data breach is a security incident where sensitive, protected, or confidential information is accessed, stolen, or exposed without authorization. Breaches can occur due to cyberattacks, human error, or system vulnerabilities.

Common Causes of Data Breaches:

🔓 Weak or stolen passwords that allow unauthorized access to systems

📡 Malware infections that compromise network security and data integrity

🔑 Insider threats from employees, contractors, or business partners

🔒 System vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to gain access to sensitive data

How to Protect Your Data:

✅ Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and enable multi-factor authentication

✅ Encrypt sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure

✅ Regularly update software, systems, and security patches to fix vulnerabilities

✅ Monitor network traffic, user activity, and system logs for signs of intrusion

What is a DDoS Attack?

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt normal traffic to a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic. Attackers use botnets, amplification techniques, and other methods to create a traffic bottleneck and prevent legitimate users from accessing the target.

Signs of a DDoS Attack:

⚠️ Unusually slow network performance

⚠️ Inaccessible websites or services

⚠️ Sudden spikes in traffic from unknown sources

⚠️ Increased spam or unusual error messages

How to Protect Against DDoS Attacks:

✅ Implement DDoS protection services or solutions to detect and mitigate attacks

✅ Configure firewalls, routers, and switches to filter out malicious traffic

✅ Monitor network traffic and performance for signs of abnormal activity

✅ Use content delivery networks (CDNs) to distribute traffic and reduce the impact of attacks

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your files or locks your device, demanding payment (ransom) for decryption. Attackers use phishing emails, malicious links, or software vulnerabilities to infect your system and extort money from you.

Common Ransomware Variants:

🔒 CryptoLocker: Encrypts files and demands payment for decryption keys

🔓 WannaCry: Spreads through networks and encrypts files on infected devices

🔑 Locky: Delivered via email attachments and encrypts files on the system

🔒 Ryuk: Targets businesses and organizations for large ransom payments

How to Respond to Ransomware Attacks:

✅ Disconnect infected devices from the network to prevent further spread

✅ Report the incident to law enforcement and cybersecurity authorities

✅ Do not pay the ransom—seek professional help to recover your data

✅ Restore files from backups and update security measures to prevent future attacks

What is an Insider Threat?

An insider threat is a security risk posed by individuals within an organization who misuse their access, knowledge, or privileges to compromise data, systems, or networks. Insiders can be employees, contractors, business partners, or third parties with authorized access to sensitive information.

Types of Insider Threats:

🕵️ Malicious Insiders – Employees who intentionally steal data or sabotage systems.

⚠️ Negligent Insiders – Careless users who expose sensitive information (e.g., weak passwords, clicking phishing links).

🔗 Compromised Insiders – Users whose accounts have been hacked or stolen.

How to Reduce the Risk:

✅ Implement user access controls and least privilege principles to limit data exposure.

✅ Monitor user activity, network traffic, and system logs for signs of suspicious behavior.

✅ Conduct security awareness training to educate employees on insider threat risks.

✅ Establish incident response plans to detect, contain, and mitigate insider attacks.

What is a Zero-Day Exploit?

A Zero-Day Exploit is a cyberattack that targets a previously unknown vulnerability in software, hardware, or systems. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities before developers can create patches or updates to fix them, making them "zero-day" threats that can cause significant damage.

Characteristics of Zero-Day Exploits:

🕵️‍♂️ Stealthy Attacks: Operate under the radar without detection by security tools.

🔓 Unpatched Vulnerabilities: Target security flaws that have not been fixed or disclosed.

🔑 Targeted Campaigns: Focus on specific organizations, industries, or high-value assets.

🔒 Rapid Response: Require immediate action to prevent widespread damage or data loss.

How to Mitigate Zero-Day Threats:

✅ Stay informed about emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and security advisories.

✅ Implement intrusion detection systems and threat intelligence feeds to detect zero-day attacks.

✅ Apply security patches, updates, and fixes as soon as they are released by vendors.

✅ Use network segmentation, access controls, and encryption to limit the impact of exploits.

What is a Man-in-the-Middle Attack?

A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack happens when a cybercriminal secretly intercepts and alters communication between two parties. This allows them to steal sensitive information like login credentials, financial data, and personal messages

Common MitM Attack Scenarios:

🔒 Eavesdropping: Monitoring unencrypted network traffic to capture data in transit

🔑 Session Hijacking: Stealing session tokens or cookies to impersonate users

🔓 SSL Stripping: Downgrading secure HTTPS connections to unencrypted HTTP

🔒 DNS Spoofing: Redirecting users to fake websites to steal login credentials

How to Prevent MitM Attacks:

✅ Use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to protect data from interception

✅ Verify SSL/TLS certificates and use secure HTTPS connections for web traffic

✅ Avoid public Wi-Fi networks and use VPNs for secure remote access

✅ Monitor network traffic, logs, and security alerts for signs of unauthorized access

What is a Password Attack?

A Password Attack is a cyberattack that targets user passwords to gain unauthorized access to accounts, systems, or data. Attackers use various techniques like brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, and password spraying to crack weak or stolen passwords and compromise security.

Common Password Attack Methods:

🔓 Brute Force Attacks: Repeatedly guessing passwords until the correct one is found

🔓 Dictionary Attacks: Using common words, phrases, or passwords to crack login credentials

🔓 Credential Stuffing: Reusing stolen passwords from data breaches to access accounts

🔓 Rainbow Tables: Precomputed tables of password hashes to crack encrypted passwords

How to Protect Your Passwords:

✅ Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable multi-factor authentication

✅ Avoid using common words, phrases, or personal information in your passwords

✅ Change passwords regularly and never share them with others or store them insecurely

✅ Use password managers to securely store and generate complex passwords for you

What is Pharming?

Pharming is a cyberattack that redirects website traffic from legitimate sites to fake or malicious websites without the user’s knowledge. Attackers use DNS cache poisoning, malware, or phishing

How Pharming Works:

🔒 DNS Cache Poisoning: Manipulating DNS servers to redirect users to fake websites

🔓 Malware Infections: Installing malicious software to alter network settings or hosts files

🔑 Phishing Attacks: Tricking users into visiting fake websites to steal login credentials

How to Prevent Pharming Attacks:

✅ Use secure DNS servers and DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) to protect against tampering

✅ Keep your antivirus software and systems up to date to prevent malware infections

✅ Verify website URLs, SSL certificates, and security indicators before entering sensitive information

✅ Educate users on phishing tactics, suspicious links, and website verification methods

What is Cryptojacking?

Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of a victim’s computer or device to mine cryptocurrency. Attackers use malicious scripts, malware, or compromised websites to hijack processing power and generate digital coins without the user’s consent.

How Cryptojacking Works:

🔒 In-Browser Mining: Running cryptocurrency mining scripts in web browsers

🔓 Malware Infections: Installing mining software on devices without user permission

🔑 Compromised Websites: Injecting mining scripts into web pages to exploit visitors

🔒 Botnet Attacks: Using networks of infected devices to mine cryptocurrency collectively

How to Detect Cryptojacking:

✅ Monitor CPU usage, system performance, and battery life for unusual spikes

✅ Check browser extensions, plugins, and software for unauthorized mining scripts

✅ Use ad blockers, anti-cryptojacking extensions, and security tools to block mining activity

✅ Educate users on the risks of cryptojacking and safe browsing practices

What is IoT Security?

Internet of Things (IoT) security refers to the protection of connected devices, networks, and data from cyber threats. IoT devices like smart home appliances, wearables, and industrial sensors are vulnerable to attacks due to weak security controls, default passwords, and unpatched vulnerabilities.

Common IoT Security Risks:

🔓 Weak Passwords: Default or easily guessable passwords that allow unauthorized access

🔒 Insecure Connections: Lack of encryption or secure communication channels for data

🔑 Vulnerable Firmware: Outdated software or unpatched vulnerabilities in IoT devices

🔓 Privacy Concerns: Data collection, tracking, or sharing without user consent or protection

How to Secure IoT Devices:

✅ Change default passwords and use strong, unique credentials for each device

✅ Update firmware, software, and security patches to fix vulnerabilities and bugs

✅ Enable encryption, authentication, and access controls to protect data and devices

✅ Segment IoT networks, monitor traffic, and restrict device permissions to limit exposure

What are AI-Powered Attacks?

AI-Powered Attacks leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to automate and enhance cyber threats. Attackers use AI algorithms to analyze data, identify vulnerabilities, launch sophisticated attacks, and evade traditional security defenses.

Types of AI-Powered Attacks:

🔒 Adversarial Machine Learning: Manipulating AI models to generate false predictions

🔓 Deepfake Videos: Creating realistic but fake videos or audio recordings to deceive users

🔑 Automated Phishing: Generating personalized, convincing emails to trick recipients

🔒 AI-Enhanced Malware: Evolving malware strains that adapt to security measures

How to Defend Against AI Attacks:

✅ Implement AI-driven security solutions to detect and respond to evolving threats

✅ Train employees on AI attack techniques, social engineering tactics, and security awareness

✅ Use anomaly detection, behavior analysis, and threat intelligence to identify AI threats

✅ Collaborate with AI experts, cybersecurity professionals, and threat researchers to combat AI attacks

What is SQL Injection?

SQL Injection is a type of cyberattack where malicious SQL (Structured Query Language) code is inserted into a vulnerable database-driven website or application. Attackers exploit security flaws to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify database records, or execute malicious commands.

Common SQL Injection Techniques:

🔍 Union-Based SQL Injection: Combining results from multiple queries to extract data

🔍 Blind SQL Injection: Sending queries to the database to infer information indirectly

🔍 Error-Based SQL Injection: Triggering error messages to reveal database details

🔍 Time-Based SQL Injection: Delaying responses to extract data based on timing

How to Prevent SQL Injection Attacks:

✅ Use parameterized queries and prepared statements to sanitize user input

✅ Validate and filter input data to prevent malicious SQL code execution

✅ Limit database permissions and access to reduce the impact of attacks

✅ Regularly update software, plugins, and security patches to fix vulnerabilities

What is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)?

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a web security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can steal sensitive data, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites

Types of XSS Attacks:

🔒 Stored XSS: Injecting scripts into a website to execute when viewed by other users

🔓 Reflected XSS: Passing malicious code in URLs or form inputs to target users

🔑 DOM-based XSS: Manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) to execute scripts

🔒 Blind XSS: Exploiting vulnerabilities without direct feedback or response

How to Prevent XSS Attacks:

✅ Sanitize user input and encode output to prevent script injection

✅ Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) to restrict script execution

✅ Use secure coding practices and frameworks to prevent XSS vulnerabilities

✅ Regularly scan websites and web applications for security flaws and patches