A cyberattack is a calculated attack by hackers and cybercriminals to access computer systems or networks. Their objective is to alter, steal, expose, or destroy information. Cyberattacks usually target a wide range of victims, from individual users to organizations and governments. No other industry has experienced massive cyberattacks like the online gambling industry. Brands such as ICE Casino Canada, Vulkan Vegas, GGBet, and many others are constantly under attack from cybercriminals. When attacking these platforms, their objective is to get player’s personal and financial information.
How Often Do Cyberattacks Happen?
Everyday! That is how often cyberattacks happen. According to former Cisco CEO, John Chambers, some companies know they’ve been hacked, while others don’t have a clue. Many fall in the latter category. As per the Cisco Annual Cybersecurity Report, the number of cyberattacks has increased almost fivefold between January 2023 and March 2024. And while there are many types of cyber attacks, some stand out more than others.
What Types of Cyberattacks Are There?
There are a dime dozen types of cyberattacks. However, the most common ones are malware attacks, DDoS and DoS, Zero Day Exploit, Drive-By Download Attack, and Internet of Things (IoT) ones, among others.
- Malware. This term describes harmful software, including worms, viruses, spyware, and ransomware. The malware penetrates the network through vulnerable points, typically when the affected person installs harmful software or clicks on dangerous links. Once inside the system, malware does the following:
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- Installs harmful software or malware;
- Disrupts the working of the system;
- Hinders access to essential components of the network;
- Covertly collects information and sends it to the hacker.
- Denial of Service (DOS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). DoS and DDoS attacks are intended to overwhelm the servers, making them completely shut down. DoS (Denial of Service) is a type of attack that occurs when a hacker falsifies traffic and requests to overwhelm a system, causing it to shut down. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service), on the other hand, works in a similar manner to DoS, although the hacker employs multiple compromised devices simultaneously. The objective of DoS and DDoS isn’t to steal data but rather to halt or shut down the operations of the website. These types of attacks have shut down platforms such as Amazon, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Twitter.
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- Zero-day exploit. This is more of an opportunistic type of attack on the system. It hits immediately after a vulnerability in the network is announced but before a solution to the problem is found and implemented.
- Drive-by download attacks. Most cyberattacks require some form of action from your end – for example, clicking on a link, opening an email, downloading an attachment, installing software, etc. This is not the case for drive-by download (or drive-by attack). This simply requires you to just browse the infected platform to give the hackers access to your data. The best example of a drive-by-download attack happened in 2016 when hackers exploited the vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player. They planted crypto-ransomware in the software, and once you installed it, you had to visit a site that required you to send them 0.05BTC in exchange for access to your device.
- Internet of Things (IoT) attacks. Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the connection between your electronic gadgets over the same internet connection. This means your smartphone, TV, smart speaker, toys, etc., are interconnected using the same internet connection. Internet of Things (IoT) attacks happen when you have hackers use one of your devices to attack or access the other gadgets connected on the same internet. Using technology similar to Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), hackers can access all your personal data remotely using one gadget only.
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How to Avoid Cyberattacks
How can you guard yourself against cyber attacks? Below are our top cyber safety tips. Many of these are easy to execute, and anyone with basic computer literacy will implement them without any difficulty:
- Update your operating system and software. This ensures you get the latest in terms of security patches.
- Install anti-virus software. Security solutions like McAfee, Kaspersky, and Norton will quickly detect and neutralize threats. Ensure the software is constantly updated to get the best service.
- Dump passwords for passkeys. While passwords have been effective for many decades, and still are, they are subject to many vulnerabilities. Therefore, you should switch to passkeys, which offer robust security.
- Don’t open attachments and emails from unknown senders. For obvious reasons, it could be infected with malware.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks. These are usually breeding grounds for hackers and other cybercriminals.
Hackers Are Getting Smarter
Cyberattacks aren’t going to slow down anytime soon. However, you can still safeguard yourself against criminals seeking to access or even steal your data or infiltrate your devices. Learn to identify impending cybersecurity threats and understand how criminals can take control of your devices. And for extra protection, consider subscribing to Aura.
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