Cyber security professionals are constantly defending computer systems against various types of cyber threats. Cyber-attacks target corporations and private systems every day, and the variety of attacks has grown rapidly.
Cyber attacks can occur for a variety of reasons. The first is financial. Cyber attackers may disable a system and demand money to reactivate it. Ransomware, a type of malware that demands money in exchange for the restoration of services, is more sophisticated than ever.
Individuals are also targets of cyber attacks, owing to the fact that they store sensitive information on their mobile phones and use insecure public networks.
It is critical to monitor developing and escalating cyber attacks in order to improve cyber security. As cyber security professionals strive to broaden their knowledge of risks and cyber security information, earning an online cyber security master’s degree can be extremely beneficial.
What Is the Definition of a Cybersecurity Threat?
Any potentially hostile attack that attempts to gain unauthorised access to data, disrupt digital activities, or damage information is considered a cyber security threat. Corporate spies, hacktivists, terrorist organisations, hostile nation-states, criminal organisations, lone hackers, and disgruntled employees are all potential cyber threats.
Several high-profile cyber attacks in recent years have exposed sensitive data.
Cyber attackers can use sensitive data from an individual or a business to steal information or gain access to financial accounts, among other potentially harmful acts, which is why cyber security professionals are essential for protecting private data.
Here are the top five most common cyber threats:
1. Malware and viruses
Viruses are computer programmes that infect and replicate themselves on host systems. Malware is also referred to as infections, viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, and other similar terms. Malicious software is any application that does not belong to the user. A virus is typically a malicious piece of code that, if left unchecked, can cause damage to your system. Your security solutions should mitigate malware attacks.
2. Theft of Identity
Individuals commit data theft when they gain unauthorised access to sensitive and confidential information such as financial data, intellectual property, medical records, trade secrets, customer lists, and employee information, among other things. Social engineering techniques are used by data thieves to trick people into disclosing passwords, private keys, login credentials, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information. Data theft prevention relies heavily on user education and awareness.
3. Website Hacking
The unauthorised use of tools and techniques to target websites or networks is known as web hacking. Hackers are constantly on the lookout for vulnerabilities in websites, software applications, and network infrastructure. These attacks can range from simple website defacement to complete server takeovers.
4. Social Engineering
Social engineering is the act of convincing others to do things they would not do otherwise. Cybercriminals employ a wide range of social engineering techniques, from phishing scams to more complex schemes incorporating malware. Users must exercise caution when communicating with unknown entities online and should never click on links without first verifying their legitimacy.
5. Cryptocurrency Mining
Cryptocurrency mining is the process of using computers to perform repetitive calculations (known as hashes) in order to confirm transactions on the blockchain, which keeps track of cryptocurrency balances and transfers. Miners are rewarded with new currency in exchange for processing transactions and protecting the network. Miners provide liquidity to cryptocurrency exchanges in addition to ensuring the network’s integrity.
Have we missed any other cybersecurity threats? Let us know!