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As an internet user, online store owner, or IT administrator, you should be aware that cybercrime is constantly increasing worldwide, and your data, business, and the devices you use are under constant risk.
In a series of articles on the AbsCloud blog, we present information related to the most common network attacks, as well as valuable tips for recognizing and preventing the consequences they may have for your business.
The Most Common Network Attacks (Part I)
Network attacks can take various forms, methods, levels of complexity, and can cause different levels of damage to users, businesses, and clients. They are characterized by unauthorized attempts to access, modify, disrupt, or destroy a computer network or system, and may affect different network components, including servers, workstations, phones, tablets, network resources, and even network-connected devices. The most common network attacks include:
Phishing Attacks
In these types of attacks, hackers typically try to trick you into disclosing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank account details, and more. You have likely received a fake email or message, or stumbled upon a website that looks legitimate, mimicking the official page of a given company or institution.
Such messages often contain urgent messaging and psychological manipulation, encouraging the recipient to click on the provided link as quickly as possible.
AbsCloud recommends: Be vigilant and carefully check the sender address of any email. Watch for grammatical and spelling mistakes, and only enter personal information on secure websites (with an https connection). If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a website or email, seek official contact with the company or institution that the sender claims to represent.
DDoS Attacks
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are among the most widespread globally. Hackers use them to artificially overload a website or online service with huge volumes of traffic, making it inaccessible for regular users. Imagine a small shop overflowing with customers, where nobody can buy anything because there isn't enough space or staff to serve them. DDoS attacks create a similar problem in the digital space.
AbsCloud recommends: Your business could become a victim of a DDoS attack by competitors or you might simply end up among the targeted websites and online stores. This is why it is important to use a professional DDoS protection service and solutions that can filter malicious traffic, distribute the load, and make your systems more resilient to attacks. See how AbsCloud protects clients' systems and web projects from DDoS attacks.
Man-in-the-middle (MitM) Attacks
In MitM attacks, hackers intervene in the communication between two devices or applications, secretly intercepting and modifying the data they exchange. In this way, they can acquire sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or manipulate communications between the parties.
Man-in-the-middle attacks are most often carried out through unsecured Wi-Fi networks, compromised https connections, or through manipulated DNS servers that redirect traffic to fake websites.
AbsCloud recommends: Avoid connecting through public Wi-Fi networks, especially when carrying out activities such as online banking or shopping. Check SSL certificates on websites you visit, and ensure they are valid. Keep your devices' operating systems up to date to avoid vulnerabilities in their protection. Also, rely on two-factor authentication when using apps and devices that work with sensitive data.
SQL Injection
SQL Injection (SQLi) is a type of cyberattack in which hackers inject malicious SQL code into a vulnerable web application. The goal is to gain unauthorized access to the database where sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, personal data, and more is stored.
For example, during a data extraction request from a table, SQL Injection can extract more data, modify it, or delete it from the database.
AbsCloud recommends: When entering data into a database, carefully check for the presence of special characters that can be used to insert additional queries.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) is a type of vulnerability in web applications that allows hackers to inject malicious scripts into a web page that is then executed in other users' browsers. This enables hackers to steal sensitive information, manipulate page content, or even take control of the victim's computer and impersonate them.
AbsCloud recommends: XSS is one of the most common vulnerabilities in web applications. They can be prevented by using CSP — a security mechanism that allows developers to control the resources that can be loaded by the web page. As a user, you should also regularly update the software you use, as some of these updates include improvements that help prevent XSS attacks.
On average, every 39 seconds one of these attacks happens somewhere in the world, threatening individual users, businesses, or government organizations. Experts predict that by 2025, such cybercrimes will cause damages worth over $10 trillion, and the message to all internet users is to remain vigilant and more cautious than ever when using and sharing sensitive data.
If you have questions about the different types of network attacks, or whether your website is fully secured, you can contact our team at support@abscloud.eu.
Stay tuned for Part II of our series, in which we share several more of the most common cyberattacks, such as social engineering, traffic sniffing, Malware, and more.