1. Malware Attacks

Definition: Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a system without the user’s consent.

Types of Malware:

A user downloads an infected file or visits a compromised website.
The malware installs itself and begins stealing data, corrupting files, or spying on the user.
Mitigation:
✅ Use updated antivirus software
✅ Keep your system and applications updated
✅ Avoid downloading files from untrusted sources

2. Phishing Attacks

Definition: Phishing is a type of cyberattack where attackers impersonate legitimate entities to steal sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or financial details.

Types of Phishing:

Email Phishing – Fake emails pretending to be from banks or companies.
Spear Phishing – Targeted attacks against Individuals or organizations.
Whaling – Phishing attacks targeting high-profile Individuals like CEOs.
Smishing & Vishing – Phishing via SMS (Smishing) or phone calls (Vishing).
How It Works:

The victim receives an email or message with a malicious link.
Clicking the link redirects to a fake website resembling a trusted entity.
Victim enters credentials, which are stolen by the attacker.
Mitigation:
✅ Verify email senders before clicking links
✅ Look for misspellings and unusual email domains
✅ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added security

3. Ransomware Attacks

Definition: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for decryption.

How It Works:

Attackers gain access through phishing emails, unsecured networks, or exploit vulnerabilities.
The ransomware encrypts critical files, making them inaccessible.
A ransom note appears, demanding payment (often in Bitcoin) for the decryption key.
Famous Ransomware Attacks:

WannaCry (2017) – Affected over 200,000 computers globally.
NotPetya (2017) – Caused billions in damages to companies.
Mitigation:
✅ Regularly back up data to external drives or cloud storage
✅ Avoid clicking on suspicious email links or attachments
✅ Keep operating systems and software updated

4. Denial of Service Attacks

Definition: These attacks overwhelm a system, website, or network with traffic to make it unavailable to users.

How It Works:

Attackers use a botnet (infected devices) to flood a server with fake requests.
The server becomes overloaded and crashes, disrupting services.
Mitigation:
✅ Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to handle traffic surges
✅ Enable DDoS protection services (Cloudflare, AWS Shield)
✅ Monitor network traffic for unusual spikes

5. Social Engineering Attacks

Definition: Social engineering manipulates people into revealing confidential information.

Types of Social Engineering:

Pretexting – Impersonating an authority figure to gain information.
Baiting – Offering something tempting (e.g., free software) to trick users into downloading malware.
Tailgating – Gaining physical access to restricted areas by following an authorized person.
How It Works:

An attacker pretends to be IT support, asking for a password reset.
Victim unknowingly provides access, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data.
Mitigation:
✅ Verify identities before sharing information
✅ Train employees on social engineering awareness
✅ Use strict access controls for sensitive systems

6. Zero Day Exploits

Definition: Attacks that exploit unknown software vulnerabilities before developers can patch them.

How It Works:

Hackers discover a flaw in software before the vendor releases a fix.
They exploit it to gain unauthorized access or cause damage.
Mitigation:
✅ Keep software and systems updated
✅ Use intrusion detection systems (IDS)
✅ Regularly check for vendor security patches

7. Man in the Middle MitM Attacks

Definition: A hacker intercepts and alters communication between two parties without their knowledge.

How It Works:

A hacker intercepts Wi-Fi traffic on an unsecured network.
They monitor or modify messages between users and services.
Can lead to stolen login credentials, financial data, or altered transactions.
Mitigation:
✅ Avoid using public Wi-Fi without a VPN
✅ Enable HTTPS on websites
✅ Use end-to-end encryption for sensitive communications

8. Insider Threats

Definition: Threats that come from employees, contractors, or business partners who misuse their access to harm an organization.

Types:

Malicious insiders – Employees with harmful intent steal or leak data.
Negligent insiders – Careless employees accidentally expose sensitive information.
How It Works:

An employee steals confidential files and sells them to competitors.
A staff member accidentally emails sensitive customer data to unauthorized Individuals.
Mitigation:
✅ Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
✅ Monitor unusual login activities
✅ Regularly conduct security training