Cybersecurity Glossary

Types of Cyber Attacks and What They Mean for Your Business

Welcome to Netcare's comprehensive Glossary on Cyber Attacks. In today's digital landscape, understanding the myriad of cyber threats is not just beneficial—it's essential. This guide serves as your go-to resource for demystifying the types of cyber attacks that could target your business. We break down what each attack is, its potential impact, and key signs to watch out for. Arm yourself with knowledge and take a proactive stance in safeguarding your digital assets.

  • What it is: Fraudulent emails sent from high-level executives to employees in finance or HR departments, requesting sensitive information.

    Impact: Can result in financial loss and data breaches.

  • What it is: Attackers use stolen account credentials to gain unauthorised access to multiple user accounts.

    Impact: Can lead to identity theft and unauthorised transactions.

    What to Look Out For: Multiple failed login attempts, unfamiliar account activity, and unexpected password reset emails.

  • What it is: Distributed Denial of Service attack overwhelms a website with traffic, making it inaccessible.

    Impact: Can disrupt business and damage reputation.

    What to Look Out For: Slow network performance, unavailability of a specific site, and unusually high amounts of data transfer.

  • What it is: Unintentional download of malicious software when visiting a compromised website.

    Impact: Can infect a computer with malware, leading to data breaches.

  • What it is: Threats that come from people within the organization, such as employees or contractors.

    Impact: Can lead to intentional or unintentional data breaches

  • What it is: Attacks targeting Internet of Things devices like smart thermostats or security cameras.

    Impact: Can compromise personal privacy and corporate data.

  • What it is: General term for malicious software, including viruses, worms, and Trojans.

    Impact: Can corrupt files, steal data, and even control computer operations.

  • What it is: Attackers secretly intercept and possibly alter the communication between two parties.

    Impact: Can lead to eavesdropping and data theft.

    What to Look Out For: Unusual delays in communication, unexpected requests for sensitive information during a session.

  • What it is: A tactic where attackers send fraudulent emails that appear to be from trusted sources to gain sensitive information.

    Impact: Can lead to unauthorised access and data breaches.

    What to Look Out For: Unexpected emails asking for personal information, poor grammar, and misspelled domain names.

  • What it is: Malicious software that encrypts files on a victim's computer, demanding a ransom for their release.

    Impact: Can halt business operations and result in financial loss.

    What to Look Out For: Unsolicited email attachments, pop-ups claiming your computer is infected, and unfamiliar software installations.

  • What it is: Fake software that claims to remove malware but instead installs malware.

    Impact: Can compromise system integrity and steal data.

  • What it is: Manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information.

    Impact: Can lead to unauthorised access and financial loss.

    What to Look Out For: Unsolicited requests for sensitive information, urgency in communication, and requests coming from unfamiliar sources.

  • What it is: A form of phishing where attackers send fraudulent text messages pretending to be from trusted sources to obtain sensitive information.

    Impact: Can lead to unauthorized access, identity theft, and financial loss.

    What to Look Out For: Texts asking for immediate action, requests for personal information, and links to unfamiliar websites.

  • What it is: Attackers use malicious SQL code to manipulate a database into revealing information.

    Impact: Can expose sensitive business data.

    What to Look Out For: Slow website performance, unexplained data loss, and unexpected website behavior.

  • What it is: Compromising a specific group by infecting websites that members of the group are known to visit.

    Impact: Can lead to targeted data breaches.

  • What it is: An attack that targets a software vulnerability before the vendor releases a fix.

    Impact: Can compromise systems and data before a solution is available.

    What to Look Out For: Software behaving erratically, unauthorized data access, and system crashes.

Final word — Don’t leave it to chance!

If you've experienced any of these threats, are currently under attack, or simply unsure about the robustness of your cybersecurity measures, don't leave it to chance. The stakes are too high. Netcare offers comprehensive cybersecurity audits designed to identify vulnerabilities and provide actionable solutions. Don't wait for an attack to take action. Secure your business now by scheduling your cybersecurity audit with Netcare today.

Further Reading