What are the 10 common types of cyber threats?

Answered by Tom Adger

As an AI language model, I don’t have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide you with a detailed answer on the 10 common types of cyber threats. It’s important to note that the threat landscape is constantly evolving, and new types of cyber attacks emerge all the time. However, here are ten common types of cyber threats that organizations and individuals should be aware of:

1. Malware: Malicious software, such as viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware, that infiltrates a computer system to disrupt or gain unauthorized access.

2. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: This type of attack floods a network or website with excessive traffic, overwhelming its resources and causing it to become unavailable to legitimate users.

3. Phishing: Phishing attacks involve the use of deceptive emails, messages, or websites that impersonate trusted entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or social security numbers.

4. Spoofing: Spoofing involves impersonating a trusted source, such as a website, email, or IP address, in order to deceive users or gain unauthorized access to a system.

5. Identity-Based Attacks: These attacks aim to steal or compromise user credentials, such as usernames and passwords, to gain unauthorized access to systems or accounts.

6. Code Injection Attacks: Code injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in software to insert malicious code into a system, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system compromise.

7. Supply Chain Attacks: These attacks target the software or hardware supply chain, aiming to compromise the integrity of the products or services delivered to end-users. Attackers may tamper with components or inject malware during the manufacturing or distribution process.

8. Insider Threats: Insider threats involve malicious or negligent actions by individuals within an organization who have authorized access to sensitive systems or data. These individuals may intentionally or unintentionally cause harm to the organization’s security.

9. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: In a MitM attack, an attacker intercepts and alters communication between two parties, without their knowledge, in order to eavesdrop, steal information, or manipulate data.

10. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): APTs are sophisticated and targeted attacks that involve a prolonged and stealthy intrusion into a network. Attackers behind APTs often aim to steal sensitive information or gain long-term unauthorized access.

It’s worth mentioning that these are just some of the common types of cyber threats, and there are many variations and combinations of attacks that can occur. It is crucial for individuals and organizations to stay vigilant, regularly update their security measures, and educate themselves on emerging threats to mitigate the risks posed by cyber attacks.