Understanding the Most Common Types of Cybersecurity Threats
There are more cybersecurity threats to businesses than there ever have been. With so much technology becoming key in the infrastructure, it means that if one aspect is targeted by an attack, the whole system is likely to fall. This downtime is obviously less than ideal, causing businesses to lose out on time, money and the trust of their customers.
With so much compliance legislation to follow, businesses need to make sure their cybersecurity is watertight, whilst staying on top of their digital infrastructure. One aspect of staying vigilant is being aware of the different types of cybersecurity threats. Join us in this blog as we run through some of the most common types of threats and how they happen.
Types of Cybersecurity Threats your Business needs to be Aware of
The most common cybersecurity threats can be divided into targeted and untargeted threats, with the latter being some of the most common methods. In each section, we will explain briefly the difference between the two methods and why attackers may choose that specific route.
Targeted Cyberattacks
Targeted attacks tend to be the most devastating for a business as they are designed to target your business specifically. Either they have a particular interest in your business or have been paid to attack your business. The groundwork for these attacks happens over a few months as the attacker learns to exploit your systems through your hardware, software or personnel. Some common examples of targeted attacks include:
- Spear-phishing – this is where the attacker sends emails to targeted individuals that may contain an attachment with malicious software, or a link that downloads malicious software
- Deploying a DDOS attack – this involves the attacker delivering a DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, designed to completely overwhelm a business’s system with requests to the point where it is unable to complete a legitimate request.
- Subverting the supply chain – to attack equipment or software being delivered to the organisation. This is done using previous knowledge of the software the business uses.
Untargeted Cyberattacks
Untargeted cyberattacks are less personal and are more of a game of volume. This is because the means of penetrating your business is different and instead takes advantage of the openness of the internet. When they identify a vulnerability in a software used by many, they tend to attack in waves. Some examples of untargeted cyberattacks include:
- Phishing – one of the most common techniques to breach your systems. This involves sending emails to large numbers of people requesting sensitive information or encouraging them to visit a fake website. Many companies run phishing tests regularly in order to test employees’ ability to identify fake emails.
- Waterholing – another common untargeted attack. Waterholing involves setting up a fake website or compromising a legitimate one to exploit visiting users.
- Ransomware – this one is the method commonly portrayed in Hollywood blockbusters. It usually involves disseminating disk-encrypting extortion malware onto computers and systems.
Stay on top of your Cybersecurity with VCI Systems
As you now know, there are plenty of ways hackers and cyberattackers can get at your business; it is key that you are doing all you can to protect it. Luckily, with the help of the expert team at VCI Systems, we can help small to medium-sized businesses sleep soundly knowing their business is protected. To find out more about our services, head to our website. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
For more guides and advice for managing your business IT, head to our blog.
