Common cyber threats

 What Are Cyber Threats?

Cyber threats are malicious attempts to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or digital data. These threats can come from individuals, organized groups, or even nation-states, and they often aim to steal sensitive information, extort money, or sabotage operations.

 Common Cyber Threats and Their Definitions

• Phishing: A deceptive technique where attackers impersonate trusted entities (like banks or colleagues) to trick users into revealing personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

• Malware: Short for “malicious software,” this includes viruses, worms, trojans, and spyware designed to infiltrate and damage systems or steal data.

• Ransomware: A type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands payment (ransom) to restore access. It’s often spread through phishing emails or unsafe downloads.

• Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attack: An attack that floods a system or network with excessive traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users. A more advanced version is the Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), which uses multiple sources to launch the attack.

• Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack: Occurs when an attacker secretly intercepts and possibly alters communication between two parties, often to steal login credentials or financial data.

• SQL Injection: A code injection technique that exploits vulnerabilities in a website’s database by inserting malicious SQL statements, allowing attackers to view, modify, or delete data.

• Zero-Day Exploit: Targets a previously unknown software vulnerability that developers haven’t patched yet. These are especially dangerous because they strike before defenses are in place.