Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a company's data and makes it inaccessible. Hackers then demand a ransom (usually in cryptocurrencies) to release the data again. They often also threaten to publish sensitive information if payment is not made.

Infection often occurs via phishing emails or infected downloads. Once active on one system, the malware quickly spreads to other devices in the network and encrypts all accessible data.

Effects:

• Financial damage: Ransom demands can run into the millions.
• Loss of productivity: Operations are partially or completely paralyzed.
• Loss of image: Customer confidence suffers, especially in the event of data leaks.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers attempt to steal sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details or company access. This is usually done through deceptively genuine emails or websites.

An employee receives an email that pretends to come from a bank or supplier, for example. They are asked to click on a link or enter data. This data ends up directly with the attackers.

Effects:

• Stolen data: Passwords and accesses can be misused.
• Unauthorized access: Attackers can gain access to internal systems.
• Reputation: Affected companies lose the trust of their partners and customers.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

A DDoS attack overloads a company's servers by bombarding them with a flood of requests until they go offline.

Attackers use a network of infected devices (botnet) to simultaneously send millions of requests to the target servers. The systems cannot handle this volume and collapse.

Effects:

• Downtime: Websites, online services or internal systems are no longer accessible.
• Loss of revenue: Outages can threaten the existence of online retailers in particular.
• Costs: Additional infrastructure to fend off attacks can be expensive.

Malware

Malware is a collective term for various types of malicious software such as viruses, Trojans or spyware. It is developed to steal data, damage systems or spy on information unnoticed.

It is usually spread via infected files, unsafe downloads or manipulated websites. Once installed, it can read passwords, delete data or control systems.

Effects:

• Data loss: Important information can be stolen or destroyed.
• System failures: Affected devices often have to be completely reinstalled.
• Espionage: Business secrets can fall into the hands of competitors.

Insider threats

Insider threats arise from people within the company, such as employees or service providers, who have access to sensitive data. This can happen intentionally or through negligence.

An employee could deliberately steal data or inadvertently cause a security breach, for example by using insecure devices or weak passwords.

Impact:

• Internal data loss: Company secrets or customer data can be compromised.
• Damage due to negligence: Carelessness can trigger serious security incidents.

Man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM)

In a man-in-the-middle attack (MITM), hackers interpose themselves between two communicating parties in order to intercept or manipulate data.

For example, the attackers hack into insecure Wi-Fi networks and monitor data traffic in order to intercept sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details.

Effects:

• Data theft: Confidential information ends up in the hands of the attackers.
• Loss of trust: Customers could classify the company as insecure.

SQL injection

SQL injection is an attack method in which vulnerabilities in databases are exploited to gain unauthorized access to stored data.

Attackers inject malicious code into form fields or URL parameters to manipulate the database and steal sensitive information such as customer data or passwords.

Effects:

• Data leaks: Customer data can be published or sold.
• Compliance violations: Companies face legal consequences.

Zero-day attacks

Zero-day attacks exploit security vulnerabilities for which no updates or patches yet exist.

Attackers discover vulnerabilities in software or systems and exploit them before they can be fixed by the manufacturer.

Impact:

• Unforeseeable damage: Companies are often completely unprepared.
• High costs: The remediation of such attacks is particularly costly.

Password attacks

In password attacks, attackers try to guess access data or crack it using automated tools.

Hackers often use so-called brute force methods (massively trying out combinations) or steal passwords via phishing or data leaks.

Effects:

• Unauthorized access: Systems and data can be compromised.
• Chain reactions: Stolen access data is often used for further attacks.

Social engineering

Social engineering refers to attacks in which human weaknesses are exploited to gain access to sensitive information.

Attackers manipulate employees by deception, e.g. by posing as IT support and demanding passwords.

Impact:

• Data misuse: Sensitive information can be misused.
• Trust issues: Employees may feel unsafe after an incident.

Syscovery is at your side!

The threat of cyber attacks is real and growing. The ten types of attack presented here illustrate how different they can be - and how great the damage can be. Companies must therefore take proactive action: from training their employees to security updates and professional IT security solutions.

Whether for prevention or in an emergency - we help you to ensure the security of your company. Contact us today and let us protect your company together. Don't wait for the next attack, act now!