5 Types of Security Attacks You Should Be Aware Of

Think you aren’t susceptible to security attacks? Think again. 

There are three different types of security attacks that happen every day:

1. Personal - this is where a criminal steals to get the information. It includes things like credit card theft, identity fraud, and targeting specific people at high security levels for economic gain. 

2. Sabotage - this is where a criminal damages or destroys information or systems. 

3. Hostage - this is where a criminal blocks usage of information or systems until a ransom is paid. 

Whether it’s for greed, out of anger, or just simply to prove it can be done, hackers enjoy the process of finding ways of control. And they’ll do it usually in one of five ways. 

Social attacks

No matter how sophisticated we become, humans remain the weakest link. An attacker won’t hack into a computer network if they can easily get through with human intervention. That’s why malware continues to be used as it can deliver many different hacks in a variety of different ways. If they can get someone to open an email, click on a button, or trust them in any way, they’re in. Training is your best course of action. 

Phishing attacks

Hackers can be very patient. They create a way to steal a password, then wait for someone to take the bait. And because they’re often very, very good, even those well trained in security can sometimes fall for phishing attacks. That’s why two-factor authentication is important, especially on your most vulnerable data. 

Unpatched software

Sometimes the easiest way into something is through the front door. When software and apps are released, they have certain security measures in place. As time goes by, they discover where holes and vulnerabilities lie. So programmers get back to work and create a fix to the problem. Then they release it to you in the form of a patch. If you don’t install them in a timely manner, they can’t protect you from those out looking for ways to get in. 

Social Media attacks

Think everyone following you on your social media accounts is on the up and up? Think again. The term catfishing was created specifically for the practice of luring someone into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona. Just because someone is friends with dozens of others you know online, doesn’t mean they’re who they say they are. Do your due diligence before releasing anything personal or of value. 

Advanced persistent threats

Advanced persistent threats - APIs - are a set of continuous hacking processes orchestrated by a person or persons wanting specific information. If you have something of value, you’re a target. While we tend to think of this as a major threat to both technological and political organizations, where intellectual property is something people all over the world can exploit and profit from, it’s also true in the medical industry. Do you perform research? Do you hold proprietary patents? Do you have information others can use and profit from? API’s may be hiding in your network, watching for the best time to strike. 

Are you at risk? Everybody is. The difference is in what you do to prepare. 

For IT Strategy, Cloud Conversion, or Help Desk Services reach out to us at Silver Linings Technology 360-450-4759.