Types of Cyber Security Threats

Cyberattacks can result in the loss of sensitive information, unauthorised access to systems and networks, financial losses, disruption of operations, and irreparable harm to an organization's reputation. Attackers use various techniques and tools including phishing, malware (such as viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and adware), and cyberespionage. They may also use botnets or fileless malware to infiltrate networks and stay undetected for longer.

Read on to learn more about the types of cybersecurity threats and their modes of attack.

Meaning of Cyber Security Threats

A cyber security threat, also known as a cyber threat, is a malicious act intended to steal or damage data, disrupt digital life, or compromise the security of an information system by altering its availability, integrity, or confidentiality. Attackers may have motives including financial gain, ideology, or simply creating disruption.

Attacks may originate in various ways, from phishing and spam emails, through malware such as spyware and ransomware, and even from infected computers that act as part of a botnet.

Malware

Malware, or malicious software, is designed to compromise a computer system in order to steal information or cause havoc. Malware comes in various forms, such as viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, ransomware, and botnets. 

Some types of malware, like rootkits or remote administration tools (RAT), allow an attacker to gain privileged access to an infected machine by concealing itself from other software on your OS. Others, such as keyloggers and spyware, collect your personal information without your knowledge, including usernames/passwords/credit card details, etc. They may also infiltrate smart TVs and IoT devices through drive-by download attacks and distribution websites or file sharing between peers on peer-to-peer networks.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files or data on your computer before demanding payment to restore access. Cybercriminals often employ social engineering tactics and email phishing attacks in order to spread ransomware infections across systems.

Once attackers gain entry, they can use various malicious software to steal credentials or exploit security configuration gaps. They can then gain lateral movement using stolen or purchased credentials, brute-force attacks, or remote desktop protocol (RDP) sessions to login as authorised users before unleashing their malware payload.

DDoS

DDoS attacks can be highly complex, employing multiple attack vectors. Their goal is to clog network "pipelines" and make services unavailable to legitimate users. Attackers often employ methods like ICMP flooding, UDP floods, SYN flooding, DNS amplification, and NTP amplification, among other reflection attacks, to increase traffic to their targets.

Botnets, which are networks of compromised computers and devices, can be utilized to launch DDoS attacks collectively. Botnet devices act as unwitting accomplices to the attacker's efforts, amplifying its impact.

Man-in-the-middle attacks are another type of DDOS attack that enable attackers to monitor communications between two systems, servers, or people and then listen in on them in order to eavesdrop and change the messages sent back and forth between these parties.

Spam and Phishing

Spam refers to unsolicited bulk email (UBE) sent to a large number of recipients, often for commercial or fraudulent purposes. It is characterised by being both unsolicited and bulk, regardless of its content. On the other hand, phishing is a form of social engineering and scam where attackers deceive people into revealing sensitive information or installing malware by impersonating reputable entities through email, text messages, or other forms of communication.

Spam and phishing emails often contain links or attachments with spyware software that can track an individual's computer and steal passwords, financial account details, and more. Furthermore, this type of cybercrime costs businesses dearly. 

Spoofing

Spoofing involves impersonating a trusted source to convince someone into taking actions that benefit the attacker, such as emailing, calling, website visits, and software updates. Email spoofing can coax recipients into opening attachments that contain malware, while caller ID spoofing coaxes them into giving money or personal details over the phone. Website spoofing mimics existing sites to steal login credentials, while DNS spoofing allows cybercriminals to redirect online traffic to fake sites.

The financial impact of these threats is substantial, with global cybercrime costs projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. This underscores the critical need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures and ongoing education to protect against these threats. Understanding the types of cyber threats and implementing robust security practices is a must for organizations to better safeguard their digital assets and mitigate the potential for financial and reputational damage.