Cyberattacks are a malicious action that destroys, alters and steals data from information systems. These attacks can seriously harm a company’s reputation and bottom line. A report from CNBC revealed that these incidents are costing small companies $200,000. A majority of these victims go out of business within six months of the attack.
Business owners, therefore, should beef up their security measures and be ready when an attack happens. Apart from installing the latest cybersecurity software and establishing business continuity solutions, they need to be familiar with how cybercriminals harm their website.
Here are cybersecurity attacks that you should keep in mind:
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Malvertising
This term refers to the use of online ads to spread malware to networks and computer systems. Cybercriminals will use a genuine advertising network to deliver a malicious advertisement to unsuspecting users. They can also take a stealth approach by adding a malware code into a legit ad.
Identifying harmful ads from harmless ones can be difficult. You can’t tell right away if the ad you see is legitimate or not. You can, however, implement strategies to minimize your risks of executing a malvertisement. Avoid clicking on these adverts:
- Ads that are not relevant to your browsing behavior or recent search history
- Adverts that contain a lot of spelling and grammatical errors
- Ads that talk about celebrity scandals
- Adverts with claims that are too good to be true, such as a miracle cure for cancer
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Ransomware
This type of cyberattacks occurs when someone holds the files of a website or computer hostage by using a powerful encryption method. Ransomware attacks typically target large corporations and establishments. Small businesses, however, can also become a victim of cybercrime. A report from CNN found that 22 percent of small companies experienced this kind of incident. They lost more than $100,000 on average per attack due to downtime.
You’ll know that you’re a victim of ransomware when you see your website or computer defaced by an image describing that your files have been encrypted. They’ll demand you to pay the ransom via Bitcoin or other untraceable payment methods to regain access to your files or webpages.
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Backdoors
Not all attacks are obvious. Some won’t make their presence known to users. Backdoor attacks are one example. As the name suggests, cybercriminals inject a code that lets them access your website and covertly mess with your data.
Backdoor attacks are incredibly sneaky, so you’ll need to check carefully for red flags. You’ll know that hackers have compromised your website if you notice the following:
- New pages or files on your site
- Missing or modified images or content on your web pages
- The passwords you use are no longer working
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Eavesdropping Attack
Cybercriminals employ this attack to intercept network traffic. Hackers eavesdrop to obtain sensitive personal or business information, such as credit card details, user credentials and social security numbers.
Eavesdropping can be active or passive. Active eavesdropping involves a hacker masquerading as a friendly unit and transmitting queries. This is an example of scanning or probing. On the other hand, passive eavesdropping uses an application to “listen in” on the messages transmitted in the network.
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Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
Hackers intentionally slow down a website or crash it entirely by transmitting automated and illegitimate traffic. This is a favorite method by cybercriminals as they’re easy and cheap to execute. Sites victimized by a DDoS attack will be unavailable to visitors. Users who can’t visit the website will grow frustrated and go somewhere else. This could translate to potential revenue loss, as these users could be prospective customers looking to buy a product or a service.
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Phishing
This attack isn’t exclusive to emails. Criminals can execute phishing on websites, as well. They can create web pages or pop up ads that trick unsuspecting visitors into giving their personal or financial information.
When checking for phishing attempts, look closely at the web page. Although it may look legit at first glance, the page may contain suspicious content or spelling errors. The URL may also look suspicious.
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Insider Threats
Not all attacks happen outside the organization. Individuals with authorized system access, such as managerial employees, can carry out these attacks. These cybercriminals are incredibly dangerous, as they may have insider knowledge of network architecture and system policies. You can effectively detect insider threats by using a centralized monitoring platform that closes visibility gaps in your organization.
Be better prepared to safeguard your organization from data loss and breaches. Make sure you invest in a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that efficiently protects your company devices and network infrastructure from all angles.
