You might have the best cyber recovery and cloud data security processes in place to protect your business in the event of a cyber attack, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know what you’re up against.
Cyber crimes are constantly changing, and the more we learn about them, the better equipped we are to deal with them if they happen. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with the latest cyber crimes, here are just a few of the many affecting businesses worldwide in 2023.
Denial of Service (DDoS)
Most small and large businesses have enough capacity and resources to accommodate significant traffic to their website. However, that can all change when you become a DDoS attack victim.
Attackers exhaust the bandwidth of business networks, servers, and systems until they become overwhelmed and run slowly or shut down altogether. At this point, legitimate business customers can no longer access the products and services they need.
Malware
Malware is among the most common cybercrime types, consisting of adware, trojans, worms, ransomware, and spyware. Typically, the malware gains access to a network when a user clicks a dangerous link.
Adware displays annoying advertising content like banners and pop-ups, while trojans look like legitimate software. You might also encounter ransomware, in which your network’s systems are blocked. Spyware is also harmful as it steals confidential data without your knowledge.
Watering Hole Attacks
Watering hole attacks are becoming more common in 2023. In such an attack, a cybercriminal targets websites commonly used by a specific group, organization, or religion. Once they’ve infected those sites with malware, the site visitors’ systems are also infected, and the cybercriminal gains access to their computers.
Phishing Attack Variants
Phishing attacks are one of the most prominent cyberattack forms, and 2023 is shaping up to be another year of rising attacks. There are currently more than 600,000 known phishing sites. In this attack style, cybercriminals impersonate someone you trust and send a fake email or message with a link to open. Once that victim opens the link, the criminals can access account credentials and confidential information and install malware.
Man in the Middle (MITM)
While more commonly seen on public WiFi networks and non-encrypted devices, man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are still commonplace. Typically, two people communicate on a network, and the man in the middle (the attacker) comes in, hijacks the session, and cuts off client-server communication. This allows them to steal and manipulate the data they want.
Fortunately, avoiding such a cybercrime can be as straightforward as using device encryption and avoiding public WiFi networks.
Password Hacking
If you’re forgetful, using an easy password to access your online accounts can be tempting. However, you’re making yourself the ideal victim for cyber criminals. Hackers can use programs, software, and simple guesswork to gain access to your passwords and steal your confidential data and even money. The outcome can be even more devastating if you use the same password for all your online accounts.
Cryptojacking
Cryptocurrency mining is expensive, which is why cybercriminals might prefer to use someone else’s computer rather than their own. Known as “cryptojacking,” the process involves an attacker infecting a website or manipulating an internet user to click on a dangerous link. They can then mine for cryptocurrency on your computer and reap the rewards while you combat the costs.
Cybercriminals are showing no signs of slowing down. If you haven’t yet put a plan in place to keep your systems, servers, and networks safe, now might be the right time to explore your options. The safety of your confidential information and finances might just depend on it.
