Organisations face various types of cybersecurity risks and threats. If they occur, they result in the loss of information, sensitive data, or access to an information system. These cybersecurity risks include malware, emotes, phishing, denial-of-service attacks, SQL injection, man-in-the-middle attacks, and passwords.
Different types of cybersecurity risks
Organisations face various types of cybersecurity risks that, when they occur, result in the loss of information and resources.
Here are some of the essential types of cybersecurity risks that lead to the loss of data and information:
Malware
Software Malware is hateful that includes spyware, ransomware, and worms. Malware is triggered when a user clicks a harmful link or attachment, which installs dangerous software.
Cisco reports that the malware, once triggered, can:
- Block access to key network mechanisms or ransomware
- Install additional malware
- Obtain information covertly by transferring data from a hard drive or spyware.
- Disrupt the operation of individual parts, rendering the system inoperable.
Emoticon
The Cybersecurity and Organization Security Agency (CISA) describes Emotet as “an advanced, modular investment Trojan that primarily functions as a downloader or dispenser for other banking Trojans. Emotet remains one of the most costly and destructive malware programs.”
Denial of Service
Denial-of-Service (DoS) is a cyberattack that floods a computer or system with traffic, preventing it from responding to requests. Dispersed DoS or DDoS does the same thing, but the attack is created from a computer network. Cyberattackers use Flood attacks to disrupt the handshake process and perform DoS attacks. Other methods can also be used. Some cyberattacks use network disruptions to launch additional attacks.
According to Jeff Melnick of Netwrix, an information technology security software company, a botnet is a type of DDoS attack in which millions of devices can be infected with malware and skillfully controlled by a hacker. Botnets, sometimes called zombie systems, attack and overwhelm the computing capabilities of a target. Botnets are distributed across different geographic locations and are difficult to track.
Phishing
A phishing attack uses a fake email or message to trick the recipient into opening it and following instructions, such as if a credit card number. The goal is to steal subtle data, such as credit card numbers and login identifications, or to install malware on the victim’s computer to gain access to sensitive information.
Man in the middle
A man-in-the-middle attack occurs when hackers interfere with a two-way transaction. Once traffic is disrupted, they can leak or steal information. This attack typically occurs when a visitor uses an unsecured public Wi-Fi network. The attacker interferes with the visitor and the network, then uses malware to install software and exploit the data for malicious purposes.
SQL injection
SQL injection, or Organised Query Language injection, is a cyberattack that results from the insertion of malicious code into an SQL server. When infected using SQL code, the server publishes information. Sending malicious code can be as simple as typing it into the search box of a vulnerable website.
Password Attacks
A cyberattacker can access the system and its information using the correct password. Social manufacturing is a password-attack strategy used by cybercriminals that relies heavily on human contact and often involves tricking people into violating standard security practices. Other types of password attacks include accessing an organisation’s password database or performing direct guesses.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity risk is the risk of exposure or loss unpaid to a cyberattack or data breach at your organisation. A better, more comprehensive definition is the potential loss or damage arising from an organisation’s technical infrastructure, use of technology, or reputation. With the increasing reliance on computers, networks, programs, social media, and data worldwide, organisations are becoming more vulnerable to cyber threats.
Data breaches, a typical type of cyberattack, have a substantial negative impact on businesses and are often the result of insufficient data protection. Cybersecurity risks include malware, phishing, denial-of-service attacks, SQL injection, man-in-the-middle attacks, and password breaches.