What Is A Cyber Attack - Definition, Types, Examples, Courses

What Is A Cyber Attack - Definition, Types, Examples, Courses

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Mar 02, 2022 01:32 PM IST | #Cyber Security Ethical Hacking

As online marketing becomes more prevalent in society, businesses are being targeted through hacking methods. Most organizations are vulnerable to these methods because they're not prepared for them. Cyber attacks have become a huge threat since organizations use digital platforms as their main method of communication with customers. If your business isn't prepared for this type of danger, you'll be at risk of losing money and customers. The question of what is a cyber attack has been asked many times before. However, many people still don’t know what one is, or how to identify one from the other. Moreover, you can also opt for various online courses and certifications in cyber security that will help you identify the different types of cyber attacks that can exist in your organisation. This article will cover what is cyber attack, the cyber attack definition, cyber attack types, and how you can protect yourself from them.

To avoid cyber attack problems, you should create security policies that will prevent your organization from getting hacked. While your company may be small now, there's no guarantee that it won't grow into a large company in the future--which means that.

Also read - Free Cyber Security Courses & Certifications

What is Cyber Attack?

A cyber attack is a method that hackers use to gain access to a company or individual's computer or network in order to cause them harm. The methods of how a cyber attack occurs can be through email phishing, social engineering, malware, and more.

The Cyber Attack Definition

Now let’s understand it with the help of cyber attack definition. Cyber attacks are basically any type of illegal activity that takes place online. These activities can be anything from computer-based crimes to intellectual property theft. There is a wide range of illegal activities which are considered cyber attacks, but the common ones include phishing, malware, identity theft, and ransomware.

Also Read - Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyber Attacks

Types Of Cyber Attacks

There are many different types of cyber attacks. However, according to the FBI, there are six cyber attacks types:

  • Spoofing

  • Social engineering

  • Denial of service

  • Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)

  • Encryption/hashing

  • Advanced persistent threat (APT)

But if we talk in general terms, there are three types of cyber attacks:

  • There are many different ways that cyber attacks occur. A hacker might be able to gain access to a computer through vulnerabilities in software or hardware.

  • They could also use the data on the computer they have hacked into as a way to provide sensitive information about your business.

  • Another type of cyber attack is when an individual sends out spam email in order to trick someone into clicking on a link or downloading malware. By doing this, they can capture personal information and passwords from you as well as steal your identity.

Also Read - B.Tech Computer Science Engineering with Cyber Security

Cyber Attack Examples

Let's understand what is cyber attack with the help of cyber attack examples. A cyber attack can be caused by a bug in an application, a vulnerability in the system, malware loaded onto the computer, or an external hacker. These methods can include denial-of-service (DOS), distributed denial of service (DDoS), and network intrusions.

The most common form of cyber attack is when someone is accessing your company's website or application without permission. When this happens, hackers are able to steal personal information from you and use it for their own benefit. They may also be able to access your financial records or gain access to your email. Cyber attacks can also be used by criminals to steal money from your business if they take over your bank account or if they hack into electronic devices that are connected to your credit card or bank account. Another way these criminals can steal money is if they hack into the software that is used for digital marketing campaigns.

If you don't want to experience any of these cyber attacks, it's important that you protect yourself from them before it's too late!

Also read - Cyber Security Foundations: Common Malware Attacks and Defense Strategies

How To Protect Yourself From Cyber Attacks

If you or your organisation deals with sensitive information, you must take the necessary steps to prepare for a cyber attack. There are three main things to do in order to protect yourself from cyber attacks:

  • Keep your software and hardware updated

  • Educate your employees on good cybersecurity practices

  • Maintain good and strong passwords

Cyber Security Certification Course

The first step to protecting your business against cyber attacks is completing a cyber security certification course. These online diploma courses or online degree courses in cyber security can teach you the necessary skills to protect your business, as well as how to detect and respond to hacking methods. The cyber security certification courses will help you identify the different types of cyber security threats that can exist in your organisation. Another key component of a cyber security certification courses is the training on how to create and implement a cybersecurity strategy for your company. It will also include teaching you how to mitigate risks by setting up firewalls, using encryption software, and maintaining a data backup system.

There are many different organisations offering these cyber security certification courses online so finding one that fits your needs is easy. If you're looking for an online certification course that's tailored specifically for small businesses like yours, check out our Certified Cyber Security Professional (CSSP) programme!

Explore Popular Platforms Certification Courses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is there such thing as a "cyber attack"?

There are many different types of attacks. Most large organizations will have multiple methods for detecting these attacks. A few examples of what could be considered an attack would include: Hacking, DDoS (distributed denial-of-service), phishing, and more.

2. What is a cyber attack?

cyber attack is the invasion of your personal or business information by a hacker. The most common form of this attack is through web pages, where hackers will inject malicious codes into sites. This code can install malware which ultimately leads to the data being compromised.

3. What are cyber attack types?

There are many types of cyber attacks, but the most common type is through hacking, where a hacker gains access to your account and uses it for their own means. Cyber attacks can also come from software vulnerabilities in your website’s coding that have been shared with others online. Another method that hackers use is called spear phishing, which involves sending an email to someone in order to gain access to their accounts. As you can see, there are many different methods that hackers use in order to get into your account.

4. How can I protect myself from a cyber attack?

It's hard to know if you're at risk of getting attacked because there are so many different types of attacks going on today. However, if you're worried about it, take precautions by always being aware of what's happening with your business and what apps you have on your computer. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity like unusual downloads or new programs popping up on the computer--that's definitely a sign that someone is trying to get into your system without permission.

5. How do you know if you're in a cyber attack?

One of the most common signs that you may be under a cyber attack is if your messaging system isn't working properly. Your computer may be infected with viruses or your network system may be down. If these problems happen repeatedly over time, it could mean that you're under a cyber attack.

Articles

Have a question related to Cyber Security Ethical Hacking ?
Back to top