In the era of the internet, cybersecurity has become an essential element. 

That is because the constant online presence has led to an increase in cyber crimes. However, taking the issue of cybercrimes such as spamming, phishing, etc. lightly won't cut it anymore. Most small businesses are unaware of the cybersecurity issues that exist in their environment because they believe that large companies are the only targets of cybercrime.

As a business, corporation, or even an average internet user you need to ensure that you are secure when you enter the digital realm. One way to do that is to ensure that you have a reliable Internet provider such as Spectrum that focuses on providing secure connections to their users. The next step is to take proper precautionary measures.

According to cybersecurity experts, these threats will only get worse as more people move online. And despite our stereotypical image of being victims of online scams, no one is safe from them. Prevention and protection require knowledge of what you are up against, which is what this post aims to give you. So read on to find out what types of cyberattacks you need to be aware of. 

What is cybersecurity 

Before we get into the types of online threats that can endanger your presence let us first give you insight into what cybersecurity is. 

In its simplest sense, cybersecurity is the technical discipline concerned with protecting the digital interests of people, households, businesses, cities, and countries. Accessible and inclusive cybersecurity means designing and implementing cybersecurity measures that meet the needs of all people. This requires developing policies, procedures, and technologies that take into account people with disabilities or other marginalized groups. 

Because cybersecurity involves protecting both corporate and personal data, the fields of cybersecurity and data protection overlap. For both elements of information security, the security objectives of confidentiality, integrity, and availability are of paramount importance. 

A comprehensive approach to security gives your organization the ability and confidence to scale, as well as greater flexibility to adapt to future impacts. Resilience is critical when it comes to potential cyber risks.

Types of Online Crimes 

There are some common types of cyber attacks that you can prevent and avoid:

1. Phishing

Phishing is a technique used by cybercriminals to obtain sensitive information such as credit card information, bank account, and employee information. If the phishing attack is successful, third parties will have access to this personal data. 

This makes it even more important to look at phishing from a cybersecurity perspective. When employees can identify different types of phishing attacks, it becomes easier for IT managers to deal with different types of phishing attacks. 

As a result of a phishing attack, millions of these companies ended up on the dark web. 

From a technical standpoint, cybercriminals do not necessarily need advanced technical skills to carry out a phishing attack. In fact, most cybercriminals hire freelancers or purchase phishing kits to carry out attacks.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that blocks access to a system, device, or file until a ransom is paid. Ransomware protection requires a comprehensive, hands-on approach that will bring your entire organization together. 

Some ransomware developers sell their services to other attackers. This business model is known as Ransomware as a Service (RaaS). 

Many ransomware variants use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) port 3389 and Server Message Block (SMB) port 445. So you will have to consider whether your organization needs to keep these ports open and consider restricting connections to trusted hosts.

3. SQL

SQL injection is one of the most common web attack mechanisms that attackers use to steal sensitive data from companies. Although SQL injection can affect any data-driven application that uses a SQL database, this method is most often used to attack websites. 

Attackers constantly scan the entire Internet and university websites for SQL injection vulnerabilities. They use tools that automate the detection of SQL injection vulnerabilities and attempt to exploit SQL injection primarily for financial purposes (such as stealing personal information which is then used to steal personal data). 

SQL injection attacks are among the oldest, most common, and most dangerous vulnerabilities in web applications.

4. Trojan horse

A Trojan horse is a type of malware or software that looks legitimate but can be dangerous enough to take over your device. 

Once a Trojan horse is installed on your device, it begins to perform the actions for which it was designed. Zeus, also known as Zbot, is a successful Trojan malware package with many variants used to carry out different types of attacks. 

Because Trojans are used as a delivery vehicle for various types of malware, if you suspect your device has been attacked by a Trojan, you should look for many of the same telltale signs of malware.

5. DNS Tunneling

DNS, or Domain Name System, is a protocol that translates human-readable domain names (such as www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses. The attacker first purchases a fake domain name and then installs a tunneling program that targets the server.

It is easy for a hacker to infect a computer because DNS queries can enter and exit the firewall at any time. DNS tunneling abuses the DNS protocol to send data across a network without having to establish a "live" network connection to the endpoint. Because there is no direct connection between the attacker and the victim, the use of DNS tunneling makes it difficult for defenders to trace the source of the attack.

6. MITM Attacks

Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are a common type of cybersecurity attack that allows attackers to eavesdrop on communications between two targets. 

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of man-in-the-middle attacks is that they are difficult to detect and can go undetected for long periods of time. The goal of man-in-the-middle attacks is for the attacker to somehow abuse this privileged listening position. Some attackers eavesdrop on conversations to steal login credentials, financial data, or other sensitive personal information.

A strong encryption mechanism in wireless access points prevents unwanted users from easily connecting to your network.

Wrapping it up 

The above-mentioned cyberattacks are just some examples of how you are at risk in the digital realm. There are many more variants out there so it is best to make sure that your devices have preemptive measures in place.