What is a cybersecurity threat?
A cybersecurity threat is a malicious activity that aim to damage, steal, or disrupt data and systems. These threats can come from various sources, including hackers, malware, and state-sponsored actors, posing significant risks to individuals and organizations.
Types of cybersecurity Threats
List of cyber security threats in alphabetical order:
Malware
Malware (short for "malicious software") is a general term used to describe any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. Malware can take many forms, including:
| Malware Type |
Description |
Business Risks |
| Adware |
Software that displays unwanted ads and can lead to further malicious threats. |
- Intrusive ads
- Reduced productivity
- Potential malware infection
|
| Botnet |
Network of infected devices controlled by an attacker for large-scale attacks. |
- DDoS attacks
- Data breaches
- Loss of control over systems
|
| Browser Hijacking |
Alters browser settings to redirect users to malicious websites. |
- Exposure to malware
- Data theft
- Loss of productivity
|
| Drive-by Attack |
Malicious code downloaded from a compromised website without user knowledge. |
- Malware infection
- Data theft
- System compromise
|
| Keylogger |
Records keystrokes to steal sensitive information. |
- Credential theft
- Financial loss
- Identity theft
|
| Malvertisement |
Injects malicious ads into legitimate advertising networks. |
- Malware infection
- Data theft
- Compromised user experience
|
| Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) |
Unwanted software that can cause performance issues or security risks. |
- Reduced system performance
- Security vulnerabilities
|
| Remote Access Tool (RAT) |
Allows attackers to remotely control a victim’s device. |
- Data theft
- System compromise
- Loss of privacy
|
| Rootkit |
Tools that enable unauthorized access to a system while hiding their presence. |
- Data theft
- Persistent threats
- System control loss
|
| Spyware |
Collects information from a device without the user’s knowledge. |
- Data theft
- Privacy invasion
- Credential compromise
|
| Trojan Horse |
Disguises itself as legitimate software but contains malicious code. |
- Data theft
- System compromise
- Creation of backdoors
|
| Virus |
Malicious programs that attach to files and spread. Various types include encrypted, macro, etc. |
- Data loss
- System disruption
- Spreading to other systems
|
| Worm |
Self-replicating malware that spreads without human intervention. |
- Network congestion
- Data loss
- Widespread infection
|
Ransomware
A ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files or locks them out of their system, rendering the data and system unusable. The attacker then demands a ransom payment, usually in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key or to restore access to the system. Ransomware attacks can target individuals, businesses, and even critical infrastructure, leading to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and potential data breaches.
| Ransomware Type |
Description |
Business Risks |
| Crypto Ransomware |
Encrypts files on a victim's device, rendering them inaccessible. The attacker demands a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. |
- Loss of access to critical data
- Significant financial loss
- Potential data loss
|
| Doxware (Extortionware) |
Threatens to publish the victim's sensitive data online unless a ransom is paid. |
- Risk of sensitive data being exposed
- Reputational damage
- Financial loss
|
| Locker Ransomware |
Locks the victim out of their entire system, preventing access to any files or applications. |
- Complete loss of access to the system
- Operational disruption
- Potential data loss
|
| Mobile Ransomware |
Targets mobile devices, often locking the device or encrypting files on it. The attacker demands a ransom to restore access. |
- Loss of access to mobile device and data
- Potential financial loss
|
| Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) |
A business model where ransomware developers sell or lease their ransomware to other cybercriminals, who then use it to carry out attacks. |
- Proliferation of ransomware attacks
- Ease of access for less skilled attackers
|
| Ransomware Distributed Denial of Service (RDDoS) |
Combines traditional ransomware attacks with Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Attackers threaten to launch or continue a DDoS attack unless a ransom is paid. |
- Disruption of services
- Potential loss of revenue from downtime
- Pressure to pay the ransom to stop the DDoS attack
|
| Scareware |
Uses scare tactics to trick victims into believing their system is infected with malware, prompting them to purchase fake software or pay a ransom. |
- Financial loss from purchasing fake software
- Potential installation of additional malware
|
| Wiper Ransomware |
Appears to be traditional ransomware but actually destroys data instead of encrypting it. The goal is often to cause damage rather than collect a ransom. |
- Irrecoverable data loss
- Significant operational disruption
|
Security hackers
Security hackers can be classified into various categories based on their intent, methods, and objectives. While ethical hackers (also called White Hat Hackers) use their skills to improve security by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, there are many types of unethical hackers that can threaten your company:
| Hacker Type |
Description |
Objective |
Examples |
| Black Hat Hackers |
Engage in illegal activities, exploiting vulnerabilities for personal gain or malicious purposes. |
Financial gain, data theft, disruption. |
Cybercriminals, fraudsters. |
| Corporate Spies |
Hired by companies to infiltrate competitors and steal trade secrets, intellectual property, or sensitive information. |
To gain a competitive edge through espionage. |
Insider threats, hired corporate espionage agents. |
| Cyber Terrorists |
Use hacking techniques to conduct acts of terrorism, aiming to create fear, cause disruption, or damage critical infrastructure. |
To advance terrorist goals, cause widespread fear and disruption. |
Groups targeting critical infrastructure like power grids or financial systems. |
| Gray Hat Hackers |
Operate between ethical and malicious hacking, may exploit vulnerabilities without permission but usually without malicious intent. |
To expose security flaws, sometimes for recognition or to force improvements. |
Independent security researchers. |
| Hacktivists |
Use hacking skills for political or social activism, conducting attacks to promote ideological beliefs or protest injustices. |
To promote political, social, or ideological agendas. |
Anonymous, LulzSec. |
| Insider Threats |
Employees or associates within an organization who use their access to conduct malicious activities. |
Financial gain, revenge, or espionage. |
Disgruntled employees, contractors with malicious intent. |
| Script Kiddies |
Inexperienced hackers who use pre-written hacking tools and scripts to conduct attacks. |
To cause disruption, gain attention. |
Amateur hackers using readily available tools. |
| State-Sponsored Hackers |
Operate on behalf of government agencies to conduct espionage, sabotage, or cyber warfare against other nations or entities. |
To gather intelligence, disrupt enemy operations, or sabotage infrastructure. |
APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) groups like APT28 (Fancy Bear). |
Social Engineering
Social engineering threats exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems and sensitive information. Cybercriminals use manipulation, deception, and persuasion techniques to trick individuals into divulging confidential data, clicking on malicious links, or performing actions that compromise security. Understanding these threats is crucial for implementing effective security measures and fostering a culture of awareness and vigilance within organizations.
Here are some examples of social engineering techniques used by security hackers:
| Threat |
Category |
Description |
Business Risk |
| Baiting |
Physical/Online Attack |
Luring victims with enticing offers to get them to divulge information or download malware. |
- Data theft
- Malware infection
- Financial loss
|
| CEO Fraud |
Deception |
Impersonating a CEO or executive to authorize fraudulent transactions. |
- Financial loss
- Data theft
- Reputational damage
|
| Diversion Theft |
Deception |
Redirecting deliveries or shipments to a different location through social engineering. |
- Financial loss
- Supply chain disruption
- Data theft
|
| Dumpster Diving |
Physical Security |
Searching through trash for sensitive information. |
- Data theft
- Identity theft
- Unauthorized access
|
| Honey Trap |
Deception |
Using romantic or sexual attraction to manipulate individuals into revealing information. |
- Data theft
- Reputational damage
- Unauthorized access
|
| Impersonation |
Deception |
Pretending to be someone trustworthy to gain access or information. |
- Data theft
- Unauthorized access
- Financial loss
|
| Pretexting |
Deception |
Creating a fabricated scenario to trick individuals into divulging information. |
- Data theft
- Unauthorized access
- Identity theft
|
| Quid Pro Quo |
Deception |
Offering a service or benefit in exchange for information. |
- Data theft
- System compromise
- Operational disruption
|
| Rogue Security Software |
Deception |
Tricking individuals into downloading fake security software that is actually malware. |
- Data theft
- Malware infection
- Financial loss
|
| Smishing |
SMS Attack |
Phishing through SMS messages to steal information or spread malware. |
- Data theft
- Financial loss
- Spreading malware
|
| Spear Phishing |
Email Attack |
Targeted phishing attacks directed at specific individuals or organizations. |
- Data theft
- Financial loss
- Targeted data breaches
|
| Tailgating/Piggybacking |
Physical Security |
Gaining unauthorized access to restricted areas by following someone with legitimate access. |
- Physical security breach
- Unauthorized access
- Data theft
|
| Vishing |
Phone Attack |
Voice phishing that uses phone calls to deceive individuals into sharing confidential information. |
- Data theft
- Financial loss
- Identity theft
|
| Watering Hole Attack |
Web-Based Attack |
Compromising a website frequented by the target group to distribute malware. |
- Malware infection
- Data theft
- System compromise
|
| Whaling |
Email Attack |
Phishing attacks aimed at high-profile targets like executives. |
- Significant financial loss
- Reputational damage
- Executive compromise
|
Viruses
A computer virus is a type of malware that attaches itself to a legitimate program or file and, when executed, replicates by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code. Once the virus code is executed, it can spread to other files and programs on the same system or even to other systems via network connections, removable media, or other means. Like biological viruses, computer viruses require a host to propagate and cause damage.
| Virus Type |
Description |
Business Risk |
| Encrypted Viruses |
Hide their payload using encryption. |
- Difficult detection
- Data loss
- System compromise
|
| Macro Virus |
Infects documents and templates. |
- Data corruption
- Spreading through documents
- Productivity loss
|
| Multipartite Viruses |
Spread in multiple ways, such as via files and boot sectors. |
- Widespread infection
- Data loss
- System instability
|
| Polymorphic Viruses |
Change their code to evade detection. |
- Evasion of antivirus
- Data loss
- System compromise
|
| Stealth Viruses |
Use various techniques to avoid detection. |
- Undetected data theft
- System compromise
- Prolonged infections
|
| Self-Garbling Virus |
Modify their own code to evade antivirus programs. |
- Evasion of antivirus
- Data loss
- System compromise
|
Worms
A worm is a type of malware that self-replicates and spreads independently across networks without needing to attach itself to a host program. Unlike viruses, worms exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems or applications to propagate and often cause widespread damage by consuming bandwidth, overloading systems, and potentially delivering additional payloads like ransomware or backdoors.
| Worm |
Description |
Business Risk |
| Code Red Worm |
Exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft IIS. |
- Service disruption
- Data loss
- Widespread infection
|
| Stuxnet |
Targeted industrial control systems, causing significant damage. |
- Operational disruption
- Data loss
- Significant financial damage
|
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