A cyber threat is an undesirable occurrence that can damage the security of digital systems and networks. They include malware, hacking, insider threats and other forms of malicious activity that can threaten people, businesses, or national security.
Cyber attacks can range from extortion to the destruction of critical infrastructure. They can also harm the reputation and financial standing of companies, lead to identity theft for individuals, and disrupt service availability. These risks are amplified when the interconnectivity of digital systems outpaces cybersecurity defenses.
Malware, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware, represents the biggest cyber threat to organizations. This is because it allows attackers to steal data or take over a computer system. Examples of malware are trojans that steal bank credentials and ransomware which demands payment in order to return access. These malware attacks can be spread by e-mail, websites, and even embedded in advertisements, known as malvertising.
Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in software, such as code injection, OS command injection, and LDAP injection. Code injection involves inserting unauthorized code into a vulnerable application, such as a web server. OS command injection exploits a vulnerability to input commands into the operating system, allowing an attacker to exfiltrate or take over a system. LDAP injection attacks take advantage of vulnerable Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) queries that use unsanitized data.
Tailgating attacks are a relatively new type of cyber threat, where an unauthorized individual follows an authorized user into a secure area. It can be used to infect software applications, such as servers or e-mail, and is often carried out using compromised build processes, server infrastructure, and update mechanisms.
About the Author
