Cyberattack

What is a Cyberattack?

A cyberattack is the deliberate exploitation of computer systems, technology-dependent enterprises, and networks. They are purposeful and target individuals, businesses, and governments for financial gain or to steal or alter data.

Cyberattacks use malicious code – including botnets, spyware, and exploits of vulnerabilities – to alter computer code, logic, or data. This results in disruptive consequences that can compromise data and lead to cybercrimes, like information and identity theft or ransomware attacks, where a ransom is demanded in exchange for decryption keys to unlock files.

The two forms that cyberattacks can take include:

• Active attack: The attacker actively alters or disrupts system operations.
• Passive attack: The attacker intercepts or monitors data, often unnoticed.

Victims of cyberattacks range from individuals to large corporations and government entities – all targeted for their data and financial assets or simply to disrupt business operations. Recent statistics estimate the number of individuals affected by cyberattacks in cybersecurity reached 40 million in 2023.

A cyberattack is also known as a computer network attack (CNA).

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What is a Cyberattack?
2. Key Takeaways
3. How Cyberattacks Work
4. Stages of a Cyberattack
5. Why Do Cyberattacks Happen?
6. Types of Cyberattacks
7. Cyberattack Examples
8. Cyberattack Trends
9. Cyberattack Prevention
10. Detecting Cyberattacks
11. How to Respond to a Cyberattack
12. The Bottom Line
13. FAQs
14. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What is a Cyberattack?
2. Key Takeaways
3. How Cyberattacks Work
Show Full Guide
4. Stages of a Cyberattack
5. Why Do Cyberattacks Happen?
6. Types of Cyberattacks
7. Cyberattack Examples
8. Cyberattack Trends
9. Cyberattack Prevention
10. Detecting Cyberattacks
11. How to Respond to a Cyberattack
12. The Bottom Line
13. FAQs
14. References

How Cyberattacks Work

A cyberattack in cybersecurity generally follows a systematic process involving unauthorized access and malicious actions against computer systems or networks. Once access is gained, attackers then execute their objectives, which could include data theft or ransomware encryption.

Stages of a Cyberattack

Attacks follow a sequence of stages, commonly referred to as the “cyber kill chain,” a model developed by Lockheed Martin. The cyber kill chain provides a good introduction to cyberattacks. It helps explain what happens during a cyberattack by outlining the steps cybercriminals take to plan and deliver an attack.

Why Do Cyberattacks Happen?

Cybercriminals are motivated for a variety of reasons. Some are financially motivated, while others are driven by political beliefs or purely malicious intent.

Examples include:

Types of Cyberattacks

Cyberattack Examples

What would a cyberattack look like? It could appear as phishing emails, malware, or a DDoS attack, leading to the theft of sensitive data or the interception of communications.

The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) tracks significant cyber incidents in government agencies and high-tech companies.

Notable cyberattack examples from the past year include:

• March 2024: Microsoft reported that Russian hackers stole its source code and infiltrated its systems, continuing an espionage campaign targeting its top executives.
• November 2023: Russian hackers launched Denmark’s largest cyberattack, targeting 22 power companies since May 2023 to access its power grid by exploiting a command injection flaw.
• August 2023: A Canadian politician was the subject of a Chinese disinformation campaign on WeChat, spreading false claims about their race and political beliefs.

Cyberattack Trends

What is the most common type of cyberattack? A top cybersecurity threat is malware – which includes a range of malicious programs, including ransomware. In these attacks, malicious software encrypts files, and a ransom is demanded in exchange for the decryption key to unlock the files. In 2023, ransomware attacks worldwide secured over $1 billion in payments.

Additionally, other cybersecurity trends are evolving, including increased malware use and a growing focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI). As these technologies become more accessible, AI-driven cyberattacks are on the rise.

Cyberattack Prevention

A cyberattack, in simple words, is an intentional attack that may include hacking into systems to take data or using ransomware to lock systems and demand payment. There are many best practices to prevent falling victim to cyberattacks.

This includes:

Detecting Cyberattacks

Detection of cyberattacks includes knowing what to do during a cyberattack. This is managed through an organization’s cybersecurity practices and security tools to detect, protect, and mitigate threats.

Cybersecurity detection practices and tools include:

How to Respond to a Cyberattack

ITSEC Group recommends a number of best practices to help organizations respond to a cyberattack.

Examples include:

• Engage forensic investigators to assess the attack’s size and scope.
• Secure and restrict access to compromised systems.
• Monitor systems to prevent further data loss.
• Address legal obligations by notifying law enforcement or government agencies.
• Inform affected organizations and individuals.
• Manage public relations to share accurate updates with the public.

The Bottom Line

The cyberattack definition refers to intentional attacks using digital devices targeting individuals, businesses, and governments. These vary, including social engineering, malware, and network breaches, each posing unique threats like ransomware and phishing.

The bottom line is that cyberattacks cause significant financial losses, data theft, and operational disruptions. Preventing cyberattacks requires strict security practices, continuous monitoring, and staying informed about cybersecurity trends.

FAQs