In this day and age, it's important to be aware of the dangers that come with being connected to the internet. One of these dangers is the threat of a cyber-attack. But what exactly is a cyber attack? In this article, we'll take a look at the definition of a cyber attack and some examples of how it can happen.
Cyber attack definition
A cyber attack is any type of offensive action that targets computer networks or devices. Cyber attacks can be aimed at individuals, businesses, or government organizations, and can range from simple pranks to sophisticated efforts to steal sensitive data or wreak havoc on systems.
Types of cyber attacks
There are many different types of cyber attacks, but they can broadly be divided into two categories: those that target individuals and those that target organizations.
Individuals can be targeted with attacks such as phishing, where they receive an email that looks legitimate but is actually from a malicious source. This email may contain a link to a fake website that looks identical to a real one but is used to steal login credentials or infect the victim's computer with malware. Another type of attack that targets individuals is ransomware, where the attacker encrypts the victim's files and demands a ransom be paid in order to decrypt them.
Organizations can be targeted with attacks such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, where the attacker attempts to overload the organization's servers with traffic in order to take them down. Another type of attack that targets organizations is data breaches, where the attacker gains access to the organization's confidential data. This data may include customer information, financial information, or trade secrets.
What is clickjacking?
Cyber attacks come in many different forms, but one of the most common is called clickjacking. Clickjacking occurs when a malicious website tricks a user into clicking on a button or link that performs an unintended action, such as downloading malware or revealing personal information. This type of attack can be difficult to detect and can have serious consequences for both individuals and organizations.
Cyber threats prevention
It's no secret that cyber attacks are becoming more and more common. In fact, according to a report from Symantec, there was a 63% increase in cyber attacks in 2017. With so many businesses and individuals being targeted, it's important to be aware of the different types of cyber-attacks and how you can prevent them.
One of the most common types of cyber attacks is phishing. This is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as your password or credit card number. They may do this by sending you an email that looks like it's from a legitimate website or company, or by creating a fake website that looks real.
Another common type of attack is ransomware. This is when hackers encrypt your files and demand a ransom to decrypt them. This can be especially devastating for businesses, as it can lead to data loss and downtime.
To protect yourself from these and other types of cyber attacks, it's important to have a good security system in place. This includes things like using strong passwords, having a firewall, and using anti-virus software. It's also a good idea to educate yourself and your employees on how to spot phishing emails and fake websites.