What Are The Most Important Types Of Cyber Threats?

A cyber threat is a malicious act that seeks to steal data, damage data, and disrupt digital life in general. Being said that, the different types of cyber threats include data breaches, computer malware, and viruses, and Denial of Service attacks among others. Cyber threats also aim to gain unauthorized access to systems and networks to steal, damage, or disrupt intellectual property or other forms of sensitive data. Thus, making it necessary for a business leader to have a basic understanding of the cyber threat.

In this article, we will discuss the cyber threat, different types of cyber threats, and various sources of cyber threats.

What Is Cyber Threat?

The internet has evolved exponentially over the last decade or two. With businesses around the world going digital and putting their resources, information, and sensitive data on the internet, many people are looking to get their hands on it through malicious techniques. This process of getting access to the organizational information and system in an unauthorized manner is referred to as a cyber threat. Being said that, the organization makes use of cyber threat intelligence to deal with and stop such malicious attempts at their networks and systems.

Types of Cyber Threats

The following are the different types of cyber threats that various organizations have to deal with daily using different threat modeling and threat intelligence models.

1. Malware

Malware is malicious software such as ransomware, spyware, worms, and viruses. Such a type of cyber threat is activated when the user clicks on the malicious link sent to them through an email attachment. Therefore, leading to the installation of damaging software on their system. Being said that, once the malware is activated, it can block access to key network components, disrupt system operation and covertly obtain sensitive information among others.

2. Denial of Service

It is a type of cyber threat that floods the network or the computer so that it cannot respond to different requests. Denial of Service is very much similar to Distributed Denial of Service attack. However, in this case, the attack originates from the computer network. Being said that, attackers often use a flood attack for disrupting the handshake process and carries out a Denial of Service attack. However, other techniques might also be used for disrupting the service of the network.

3. Phishing

Phishing is another type of cyber threat which is commonly used by attackers to gain access to confidential information and data. In this technique, attackers make use of fake communication such as email to trick users into the opening and carrying out the instructions inside the email. For instance, providing them with credit card numbers. The overall goal of this type of cyber threat is to steal the sensitive information of the user.

4. Advanced Persistent Threats

This is another type of cyber threat that organizations monitor continuously using threat modeling and threat intelligence. In such types of attacks, unauthorized users gain access to the network or system and remain there without being detected for an extended period.

Sources of Cyber Threats

While identifying a cyber threat, more than the technology used in attack, important is to know who is behind the threat? Though the technology is ever evolving, the sources of cyber threat have remained the same. Someone falling for a clever trick suggests that there is always a human element involved. The real source of cyber threat would be a motive that lies behind every attack.

With the evolving role that the internet is playing in the growth of businesses around the world, cyber threats can originate from a variety of places, people, and contexts. Being said that, the following are the most common sources of cyber threats that one should know about.

1. Individuals who create attack vectors using their tools and techniques

2. Criminal organizations which look like normal corporations but develops attack vectors and executes attacks

3. Terrorists

4. Nation-states

5. Business competitors

6. Organized crime groups

7. Industrial spies

These are some of the most important sources of cyber threats that one should look after and know about.

Source: eccouncil.org