Day by day, cyberattack rates continue to rise. Cyberattacks are not just threats to large tech corporations—a company of any size needs to be responsible for their data needs. A cyber breach can ruin a business and its public reputation.
What Are Some Common Cyberattack Strategies?
Cyberattacks target computers and systems with the intent to disable, access data, or gain access and admin privileges. Hackers are continually engineering new access strategies, but here are common methods currently threatening corporations and individuals.
- Malware. Malicious software such as spyware, Trojan horses, ransomware, viruses, and worms are installed through vulnerabilities in a network. Once installed, malware can block access, obtain information, or corrupt components of a system.
- Phishing. Attackers lure victims to suspicious sites or get them to launch malware through communications like emails disguised as trusted sources. Malware is intended to steal sensitive information, and it often works in the background, penetrating systems, and extracting data from the victim’s machine.
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM). Also known as eavesdropping attacks, data is filtered and stolen through two-party transactions. The two most common forms of entry are unsecure public Wi-Fi and malware breaches. Attackers insert themselves between the device and network or install additional software to steal information.
- Denial-of-service. Systems, servers, or networks are flooded and overwhelmed by attackers leading to an inability to fulfill legitimate requests, ultimately paralyzing the system.
- Structured Query Language (SQL). Servers that use SQL are forced to reveal information when an attacker inserts malicious code into a website search box or similar vulnerable entry points.
- Zero-day exploit. During a window of opportunity, attackers target a network that has an exposed vulnerability before admins can install a patch or implement a solution.
- DNS tunneling. Although there are various legitimate reasons to use DNS tunneling, it can be used maliciously to conceal and extract data as well as command and control callbacks from the attacker’s system to the compromised system.
Are You in One of These Industries?
Every organization is at risk for cybercriminal attack, but it is undeniable that there are particular industries at higher risk.
- Healthcare. Healthcare is a popular target for cybercrime with its vast stores of personal and financial data.
- Financial. With roughly 30 attacks per second, financial institutions such as banking and credit are prime targets for cyberattacks.
- Government and military. Targeted by foreign powers, hacktivists and cybercriminals preying on personal information, federal, state, and local government agencies are not immune to attacks.
- Education. Like the healthcare industry, education institutions maintain valuable intellectual property, such as contact information, credit card details, and government IDs.
- ● Energy and utility. Though highly regulated, energy grids and utilities power the everyday. Hackers can cause widespread power outages, infect mobile connections, and risk the health and safety of millions.
What to Do If You’re a Target
High-risk industries are targets not just for the information they may possess, but also for the vulnerabilities within their cybersecurity systems. You might need to research things like what is Carbon Black endpoint security or other solutions if you fall into an industry that could be under attack.
As every industry faces some level of risk, it is crucial to implement the most standard of defenses as well as more sophisticated security measures.
- Perform regular software updates
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Backup data regularly
- Use strong passwords
- Maintain quality anti-malware and firewall software
Robust cybersecurity systems have many layers of protection for computers, devices, networks, and programs to save businesses large and small.
Cyberattacks Can Happen to You
In an age of ever-increasing cyberattack potential, it’s crucial to take the proper precautions to eliminate vulnerabilities and secure your information and reputation. Fight cyberattacks by staying informed and aware of this significant threat, especially if you’re in a high-risk industry.
