5 Types Of Cyber Attacks And How To Prevent Them

Richard Clarke, a former counterterrorism expert for the U.S. government once said, “If you spend more on coffee than on IT security, you will be hacked. What’s more, you deserve to be hacked."

Today, the cyber security landscape is evolving at a rapid pace, and businesses that fail to implement sufficient countermeasures are sailing in cyber-criminal infested waters. With ever-evolving threats and massive data breaches, adopting preventative best practices is a requirement for every business.

According to a forecast by ExpressVPN, cyber attacks cost global businesses a cumulative total of $8 trillion in 2023. With the rise and advancement in AI, it's expected to top $9.5 trillion in 2024. Yet a report from McKinsey & Company show companies only spent about $189 billion in cybersecurity. Are businesses spending more on coffee meetings than on IT security?

Here are five common types of cyber attacks and how businesses can protect themselves:‍

1. Password-Based Attacks

In a password-based attack, hackers use various techniques and tools to get access to usernames and passwords, such as password guessing and password-cracking software.

In late 2023, cyber criminals took advantage of poor password security practices at 23andMe, the genetics testing company, exposing the personal data of millions of users.

These three tips can help you ward off password-based attacks:

• Long Passwords. Cracking a longer password is much tougher than cracking a shorter password.
• Unique Passwords. When creating passwords, use a unique combination of lower-case letters, upper-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Instead of just using letters and numbers, use special characters like @, #, ? or *.
• Secure Passwords. Be vigilant in handling your passwords. The password for your business email account should not be the same as the password for your personal email. Make sure your passwords are kept securely and changed frequently.

‍2. Denial-of-Service Attacks

In a denial-of-service attack, scammers send overwhelming quantities of data to a website, rendering it unusable for customers. Instead of buying your products or getting the information they need, users are told the website is unavailable. And when your website is unavailable, you’re losing valuable customers.

Here are some strategies you can use to limit the effects of DoS attacks:

• Constantly monitor traffic. Use a traffic-monitoring tool to keep an eye on website or network traffic and detect abnormal occurrences, such as an impromptu spike in traffic. With early detection, you can reduce the effect of a DoS attack.
• Keep your systems are up to date. Keep your systems secure by frequently installing the latest updates and security patches on anti-virus, firewall and other intrusion-detection software.
• Be aware. Since criminals can also conduct a DoS attack through vandalizing a network cable or disconnecting your Internet connection, it’s crucial to frequently monitor your physical connections for any abnormal activity as well.

3. Social engineering attacks

Phishing is the most widely-practiced type of social engineering; a victim receives an email alleging to be from a trustworthy entity, but the message is designed to trick the victim to release sensitive information such as passwords and banking details. If you’ve ever received an email from a Nigerian prince, you’ve experienced an attempt at a social engineering attack.

Phishing attacks are on the rise – up 173% percent in Q3 2023, according to the Vade Secure. And it’s working. About 95 percent of all successful cyber attacks on businesses are due to spear phishing – phishing emails that are tailored to a specific business or person.

• Educate your employees. Creating a security-conscious culture within the workplace can prevent attackers from taking advantage of users’ naiveté and tricking them into divulging sensitive information.
• Implement two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication means requiring more than just a username and password to access information, adding an additional level such as a physical object, like a card, phone or fob, or a biometric like a fingerprint or voiceprint. This additional level of security means that even if thieves learn your password, they can’t access your data.
• Be cautious. Don’t click on links embedded on emails, unless you are completely sure of their legitimacy. Moreover, check website URLs to make sure there are no slight changes to a domain name that could send you to a scammer’s site.
• Securely dispose of office trash. Do not carelessly discard documents containing confidential business information because they can end up in the wrong hands.
• Use phishing detection tools. Use up-to-date anti-virus software, email filters, firewalls, and other anti-phishing tools from third-party providers to help you detect any suspicious activity.
• Use common sense.  If you’ve received an email message promising hefty returns by acting fast, think twice before responding. If you’ve never applied for that job or entered that sweepstakes, why should you respond to that congratulatory message?‍

4. Man-in-the-middle attacks

Just like the name implies, a man-in-the-middle attack takes place when a hacker inserts himself or herself in a communication session between two parties and eavesdrops or impersonates either party with the intention of stealing sensitive information.

Here are some ways of avoiding man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Pay attention to security certificate warnings: If your browser tells you, “This site’s security certificate is not trusted!” it means the site is insecure and could be prone to a man-in-the-middle attack.
• Prefer HTTPs enabled websites. The ‘S’ at the end stands for “secure,” guaranteeing that communication isn’t seen by third-parties.
• Use secured networks. When using public Wi-Fi networks, use virtual private network (VPN) services to prevent third-parties from compromising your communications. Furthermore, install and regularly update anti-virus software to keep your online activities secure and private.

5. Malware attacks

Malware is short for malicious software, or software designed to destroy or disrupt a computer. Some of the common types of malware include viruses, worms, ransomware, Trojan horses, spyware, and backdoor.

In 2023, ransomware attacks hit a new record, exceeding $1.1B in total payments.

Here are some ways to prevent malware attacks:

• Browse cautiously. Don’t download suspicious files or open untrusted email attachments. Don’t click on unknown links and avoid visiting unscrupulous websites that can infect your system with malware.
• Use good software. Ensure your system has robust and up-to-date anti-virus software and firewall software installed. Keeping your system updated seals the loopholes hackers can use to inject malware into your system.
• Act quickly. If you detect any signs of malware activity, act fast before the destruction intensifies.

Prevent the next attack

Today’s rapidly evolving cyber-security landscape requires adopting a multi-layered approach that integrates several techniques to mitigate the risk of online fraud. By implementing sufficient preventive measures — and avoiding spending more on coffee than on IT security — businesses can keep their activities safe from cyber fraud.