A recent report from Indonesia’s National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) reveals a dramatic rise in cyber attacks. According to BSSN official Nur Achmadi Salmawan, the agency recorded 361 million traffic anomalies, which are considered cyber attacks, from January 1 to October 26, 2023. These incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and foster collaboration between public and private sectors to mitigate the effects of such threats. Salmawan, during a virtual discussion held by Aftech Media Clinic on November 16, 2023, emphasized the alarming scale of these attacks and the importance of effective cybersecurity management.
Among the myriads of cyber threats, five common types stand out that individuals and organizations should be particularly aware of.
- Phishing
Phishing remains one of the most prevalent cyber attacks. In this method, attackers disguise themselves as legitimate entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details. Phishing attacks are often executed through emails, messages, or fake websites that appear genuine but are designed to steal personal data.
- Malware
Malware, a broad category of malicious software, includes viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware. Malware infiltrates systems to cause damage, steal data, or gain unauthorized access. For instance, ransomware encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for the decryption key, often causing significant financial and operational harm.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
DDoS attacks aim to overwhelm a network or website with excessive traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users. These attacks are often carried out using botnets, networks of compromised devices controlled by the attacker. DDoS attacks can severely disrupt business operations and lead to substantial financial losses.
- Credential stuffing
A technique where attackers use lists of compromised usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This method exploits the tendency of individuals to reuse passwords across multiple sites, making it a significant threat to personal and organizational security.
- Man-in-The-Middle (MITM)
Man in the middle is a security threat in which the attacker secretly intercepts and relays messages between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other. This can happen through compromised Wi-Fi networks or other vulnerabilities, allowing the attacker to steal sensitive information such as login credentials and personal data.
Understanding these common cyber attacks is crucial in developing effective strategies to protect against them. By staying informed and adopting robust cybersecurity measures, individuals and organizations can better defend themselves against the growing threat of cyber attacks.