6 Common Cyber-Attacks That Could Hurt Your Business
Cyber attacks can be a great threat to the safety and security of your business. They can cost you money and can also damage your brand’s reputation.
Hackers can try to access your system through cyber attacks. They can trick your employees into giving up sensitive information by infiltrating your system from the outside.
So, you need to protect your business from these threats. Today, we’ll discuss six of the most common cyber attacks and how you can prevent them.
Malware Attack
Malware is any malicious software that includes viruses, spyware, Trojans, adware, and worms. It is mainly used to disrupt computer operations, leak sensitive information, or restrict access to data.
A virus infects devices and reproduces itself across systems. You can get computer viruses through phishing emails or malicious advertisements. They require human intervention to spread. A Trojan horse appears valid, but it contains malicious code to hide data from the user or damage your software. Attackers use Trojans to access your computer, steal data, and install dangerous worms or viruses on your device.
Most industries, including healthcare, government, and financial services, are vulnerable to malware attacks. The ability of these sectors to hold large amounts of data makes them attractive to cybercriminals.
Moreover, sectors like gambling platforms store large amounts of vulnerable data of their customers. According to research, cyber attacks on gaming businesses and casinos have skyrocketed by 167% in one year.
Consequently, it is important to always visit a comparison site and do due diligence before signing up. Luckily, the best online casino reviews in 2023 only offer legal and safe online casinos that protect your privacy. They use the latest antivirus software and encrypt your information with SSL encryption technology.
Furthermore, you can protect your business from malware attacks by firewalls and regularly updating your system. Firewalls will ensure that only authorized users can access your computer system.
Password Attack
This is where a hacker tries to access a system or a network using passwords to access restricted data or accounts. Password attacks can happen in many ways, including the brute force method.
Brute force hack involves using basic details about an individual to guess a password. Hackers can use information like your name, birth date, or your business’s social media data.
Use strong passwords to prevent password attacks. A robust password has letters, numbers, and 12 unique characters. Avoid using apparent information like a birth date that someone might guess.
Additionally, ensure your business websites have two or multi-factor authentication. This adds additional security to your accounts.
Phishing
Phishing is an online fraud that uses social engineering to trick users into revealing their personal information. Attackers use emails or direct messaging and ask recipients to enter their sensitive details on a fake website that resembles the original one.
The most common types of these cyber attacks include email, whaling, and spear phishing. In email phishing, attackers register fake domains that look like real ones from legitimate organizations. They then send them to their targets.
A whaling attack targets high-level executives. It’s aimed to get their data like intellectual property or financial assets—spear phishing targets specific individuals within an organization.
You can prevent phishing attacks by scrutinizing the personal or business emails you receive. Check for errors like grammar and format changes, and never click on a link you do not know what it is.
Structured Query Language (SQL) Injection
This type of security vulnerability occurs in database-driven websites. The scammers manipulate the standard SQL query. They inject malicious code into a site’s search box or login form, where the server reveals crucial information.
A successful SQL injection can lead to deleting or modifying vital data. Also, attackers may execute administrator commands such as shutdowns and interrupt database functions.
To protect your business from SQL injection attacks, employ the least privileged principle. This architecture only gives access to key databases to authorized persons.
You can also validate the user-provided information. Validating user input ensures that it is accurate.
DoS and DDoS Attacks
A denial of service attack (DOS) floods servers, networks, or systems with traffic to overload bandwidth and resources. It overwhelms the target website with illegitimate requests. As the site tries to meet every request, its resources become depleted. As a result, your business website loads slowly and might shut down completely.
With a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, the attacker uses multiple compromised systems to launch an attack on the target.
DoS and DDoS attacks don’t offer authorized access. They aim to render their targets ineffective by taking the site down. A DoS or DDoS attack also takes your site offline, leaving it vulnerable to more attacks.
You can prevent DoS attacks by using a firewall. Firewalls can differentiate between suspicious and legitimate requests. It controls the traffic flow and blocks imposter requests.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
This is a form of active eavesdropping attack in which the attacker places himself between two other parties communicating over a computer network. He intercepts all information transmitted between the two parties and injects new data into the communication.
This type of attack is also known as a “traffic interception” or a “middle-man” attack. It involves an attacker who impersonates both ends of a conversation at once. This way, a scammer can collect private data, insert malicious code, and modify content without either party noticing anything suspicious.
MitM attacks mainly aim to steal sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers. However, attackers can use them to access private networks. They can also disrupt services by sending false messages between two systems.
Keep Your Network Safe!
The cybersphere can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. By staying informed and knowing what dangers you might encounter online, you’ll find it less daunting and more manageable. And if you know how to spot an attack before it happens, you can minimize your risk and avoid the fallout altogether.