Our world seems to have reached the perfection of technological development. Every aspect of our financial or personal life is being settled and monitored by modern tools and solutions, which aim to simplify our lives and make them more comfortable.
While we enjoy the convenience of round-the-clock accessibility, which is brought by ‘bright-side’ specialists, there are also the ones who perform on the ‘dark side’, aiming to steal personal information, disrupt the systems, and destroy the networks– cyber criminals. Although we are all warned about the necessity to keep personal data locked, cyber criminals master their solution to sneak into your digital space and take advantage of the sensitive data.
What are cyber crimes and how to protect your digital environment from them? Let’s follow the guide.
What Are Cyber Attacks?
A cyber attack is any attempt by hackers to damage or destroy the IT network or system, either private or public.
Cyber attacks are performed due to three main reasons – political, financial, and personal. Regardless of the origin, there is always a need to keep your data safe and protected.
The simplest form of protection is always a reliable password, yet there are more sophisticated ways to build a security fence around your digital belongings – regular system updates, data backups, firewalls, or cover-it-all dedicated services like Gcore security, which provide protection from the attacks, and let the web resources continue their uninterrupted work.
When hiring vendors like Gcore, the users get 24/7 protection from all forms of cyber attacks due to the usage of advanced protective tools.
Types of Cyber Attacks
Cyber attacks are always improving and developing, just like other types of IT solutions; however, they aim at critical data access and illegal financial gains.
1. Malware
Malware is a type of illegal software that accesses, uses, changes or deletes the user’s data without their consent. Malware includes a multitude of spyware, viruses, ransomware, and worms. Typically, the malware comes with attachments and links, which start its active installation on the device. As a result, the system’s data is exposed to cyber attackers and used for further illegal activities.
2. Phishing
Phishing is a rather common practice, which resembles masquerade. The attackers conceal their identity by resembling a reputable website, thus, earning the trust of the users. Phishing is used to steal sensitive data like passwords, CVV codes, and credit card numbers, or install malware.
3. Spoofing
Spoofing is used by cyber attackers to imitate a trustworthy business or a person aiming to trick the user into sharing personal information. It can use a fake caller ID, fake domain name, fake website facial recognition system subverting, etc. Spoofing functions like an impostor, who shows fake credentials, gains trust, and then takes advantage of it.
4. Trojan
Trojan has been known for years. Although there are various solutions against its detrimental influence, its modifications manage to overcome the protection. Trojan is often attached to free software from unreliable network resources. After the software is installed, Trojan gets access to the computer system and gets the use of the data.
5. Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that is installed on the computer and ‘hijacks’ the system till the ransom is paid. However, as with real life, a paid-off ransom is never a guarantee of a full system recovery. That’s why, it is always better to consult the specialists before making any further decisions.
6. Password attacks
Password attacks are pretty common and relatively simple to organize. The major techniques to use are correct guessing, keylogging, and implementation of phishing or spoofing techniques.
Oftentimes, password attacks are easy to conduct due to a low level of password strength. Internet users come up with simple patterns to remember, yet, that’s the best way to become someone’s prey. Corporations can lose millions due to a poorly protected account of their users.
7. Internet of Things attacks (IoT)
The Internet of Things is a network of connected devices that share data with other IoT devices within the cloud. Despite being management efficient, this system has one sore spot – communication channels, as they are susceptible to cyberattacks. If the communication is done through the Internet with limited protection, the data can easily be targeted by the attackers.
8. Cryptojacking
Cryptocurrency is developing in full swing nowadays, attracting more and more attention from cyber attackers due to its significant financial benefits. Cryptojacking helps to circumvent expenses related to mining – the attackers get unauthorized access to the user’s system through malware, and use the resources for mining cryptocurrency.
9. Drive-by download
A drive-by download is one of the most unnoticeable types of malicious attacks, as the malware code is attached to an application., website, or operating system with a compromised security system. As a result, the victim doesn’t even realize that something can go wrong with the installation.
10. Denial-of-service attacks (Dos)
A denial-of-service attack is often used to weaken and steal the data of big corporations, or governmental institutions. The device or a system leads to failure in functioning through overwhelmed traffic. It is not always about financial gains and usage of sensitive data. Attackers may just want to cause trouble for an organization, as it takes time to return the system back to an up-and-running state.
The Bottom Line
Internet and digital security are an alarming problem nowadays. Despite numerous warnings and safety tips, users keep getting fooled by cyber criminals, who aim to take advantage of their victims.
While simplified forms of attacks like phishing or password attacks require vigilance from the users, more sophisticated ones, like DoS or IoT, will require a more developed level of security, provided by dedicated and trusted services like Gcore.
Don’t hesitate and take care of your digital life security, otherwise, you will become susceptible to all the possible threats.