Whether you’re a freelancer, a remote worker, or a business owner, know that anyone can be on cybercriminals’ hit list. Now, more than ever, cyberattacks have become more sophisticated, and even a seemingly harmless ad may contain a virus or malware.
So, in these precarious times, every internet user needs to understand the common yet most effective cyberattacks. Importantly, internet users must also know several ways to counter those attacks.
Here, I’m going to explain everything there is to know about cyberattacks. So, read on.
What is a Cyberattack?
A cyberattack is a deliberate attempt by hackers to access your sensitive data. To do so, hackers use different sophisticated ways (which I’ll discuss later), and sometimes, users may not even realize that their systems or devices are compromised until it’s too late.
There can be multiple reasons behind a cyberattack. Cybercriminals may want to access sensitive data, destroy it, corrupt or alter it, or hijack it. Then, hackers may blackmail users with stolen data or sell it on the dark web or third-party advertisers.
Now, let’s see what are some of the most common types of cyberattacks hackers may use:
Types of Cyberattacks:
Malware:
Malware or “malicious software” is one of the most common types of viruses designed to steal, destroy, or corrupt data. Malware is an umbrella term for ransomware, trojans, spyware, cryptojacking, and other viruses that use software as a medium to harm user’s data.
- Ransomware: In ransomware, hackers may steal or hijack users’ data and agree to return it for payment.
- Spyware: Spyware is a type of malware that stealthily enters the device, steals data, and sends it back to its host without the user’s knowledge.
- Cryptojacking: In cryptojacking, hackers may not steal, corrupt, or hijack a user’s data but use their computing power to mine cryptocurrencies.
- Trojan: A trojan may be disguised as software or a useful tool for people to download for free. Once a trojan is downloaded, it is activated and starts stealing data.
Denial-of-Services Attacks:
DoS attacks (DoS) attacks mostly target large corporations and companies. In most cases, a DoS attack is intended to hang, slow down, or crash a device’s operating system, and it may not steal or destroy a user’s data.
Also, unlike ransomware, users may not need to pay any ransom to bad actors to regain their data. However, removing a DoS from a device’s system can be time-consuming and costly, and it may require an expert’s help.
Phishing:
In phishing, hackers take help from SMS, emails, or social media to lure people into revealing their sensitive information. Once hackers access users’ information, they may exploit their data in any way they want. The following are some common types of phishing:
- Spear Phishing: In spear phishing, bad actors may only use email as a medium to target people. Usually, the goal of hackers is to gain login credentials for bank accounts, and financial details, or urge people to install the malicious software.
- Whaling: This type of phishing mostly targets senior citizens to access their sensitive information. Hackers may use the information to gain financial benefits from the victims.
- Vishing: In vishing, hackers pretend to call users from a reputable organization or government entity and ask for sensitive information.
Spoofing:
In spoofing, hackers may impersonate a trusted source to connect with their targets. After gaining their trust, hackers may try to lure their targets into revealing personal or financial information. The following are some common types of spoofing:
- Email Spoofing: In email spoofing, hackers may contact business executives with fake business credentials. Once the hackers gain their trust, they may send them a malicious link or attachment, which victims are likely to open.
- Address Resolution Protocol Spoofing: In address resolution protocol (ARP) spoofing, hackers generally trick people into sending them sensitive data instead of the intended recipient.
- Domain Spoofing: Hackers may impersonate a known business or company and create fake emails, websites, or other credentials. Once they establish trust, they may trick people into revealing personal information.
How to Stay Safe from Cyberattacks?
The following ways can help you stay safe from cyberattacks:
Use Strong Passwords:
Strong passwords do not always guarantee that your system or social accounts won’t be breached. However, the good news is that strong passwords can enhance your security and create obstacles for hackers to access your information. Also, if your password is strong, novice hackers may not be able to crack them.
To ensure you have a strong password, always use upper and lower-case alphabets along with numerical and special characters.
Use Secure Internet Connection:
Using a secure internet is very important because most viruses make their way to our system via the internet. So, it’s vital that you should be equipped with a connection that would stop a virus in its tracks as soon as it detects one.
Personally, I have subscribed to Cox because of its advanced security feature, which comes free with the Cox Internet plans. The advanced security feature ensures that viruses and malware do not enter my device. Plus, it also informs me whenever I accidentally visit a malicious website.
Stay Connected to a VPN:
A virtual private network (VPN) is a great tool to ensure your data is not exposed to bad actors on the internet. A VPN establishes an encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and the VPN server. Resultantly, all the incoming and outgoing data first goes through this encrypted server and then moves to its destination.
Additionally, a VPN also alters the device’s IP address. By doing so, malicious websites or hackers may not be able to identify or pinpoint your device and target it.
Keep Your Device Updated:
Keeping your device updated is one of the easiest yet crucial factors in securing your data. Besides new features, these updates may include major bug fixes or security patches to strengthen the device’s security.
Bonus Suggestion: Use Premium Anti-Virus Software:
Anti-virus software is designed to identify, scan, and delete the viruses that are already present in your device. However, a quality anti-virus tool may also inform you about a malicious website, link, or attachment. Plus, you can also run frequent scans to ensure that no virus is hiding inside your device.