7 Types of Cyber-attacks to Watch Out for in 2023

The world is ever-evolving, and so is the cyber threat landscape. As technology advances, so do the methods of cybercriminals. As we enter the new year, it’s crucial to plan for it, especially for your resilience in any cyber security attacks. The importance of cyber security has never been greater, and the frequency of assaults and breaches has recently increased. This blog post will look at the 7 types of cyber-attacks to watch out for in 2023.

Introduction to Cybersecurity

As we move closer to the future, the need for cybersecurity becomes ever more critical. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, systems, and programs from digital attacks. It is also the practice of ensuring data privacy and integrity. Cybersecurity is essential for businesses, organizations, governments, and individuals.

Types of Cyber-attacks

There are many different types of cyber-attacks. These include phishing attacks, malware attacks, man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, denial of service (DoS) attacks, SQL injection attacks, password attacks, and insider threats.

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of cyber-attacks. In a phishing attack, the attacker sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a company or a bank. The email contains a link that, when clicked, takes the user to a malicious website. The website then asks the user to enter personal information, such as username and password.

It is important to be aware of phishing attacks and to be wary of any suspicious emails. It is also essential to ensure that the website being visited is secure and is from a legitimate source.

2. Malware Attacks

Malware is short for malicious software. It is malicious code or software designed to damage or disrupt systems and networks. Malware can be viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, ransomware, and adware.

Malware can be spread through emails, downloads, and websites. One has to be aware of the signs of malware attacks, such as slow computer performance, pop-up ads, and sudden changes in settings. It is also vital to update your anti-virus software regularly and to use a reputable anti-virus program.

3. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are a type of cyber-attack in which the attacker intercepts communication between two parties. The attacker can eavesdrop on the communication and, in some cases, even alter the communication.

MITM attacks can be carried out on various networks and systems, including wireless networks, VoIP networks, and email systems. It becomes necessary to use secure networks and encryption when sending sensitive data.

4. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

A Denial-of-Service Attack poses a severe risk to businesses. Attackers target systems, servers, or networks, in this case, and bombard them with traffic to drain their bandwidth and resources. The attacker attempts to make a server or network resource unavailable. The attacker does this by flooding the server or network with requests, causing the system to become overwhelmed and unable to respond to legitimate requests.

DoS attacks can be prevented by using secure networks, limiting access to servers and networks, and using firewalls. It is also essential to be aware of the signs of DoS attacks and to respond quickly if any suspicious activity is detected.

5. SQL Injection Attacks

In an SQL injection attack, the attacker attempts to gain access to a database by injecting malicious code into a vulnerable input field. The malicious code is then executed, allowing the attacker to access the database.

SQL injection attacks can be prevented using secure coding practices, properly validating user input, and secure authentication methods. It is also important to regularly update the database and to use intrusion detection systems.

6. Password Attacks

Password attacks are a type of attack in which the attacker attempts to gain access to a system or network by guessing or cracking a user’s password. To decipher your password, the attacker can use a computer program or password-cracking tools like Aircrack, Cain, Abel, John the Ripper, Hashcat, etc.

It is crucial to use strong passwords and to change them regularly. It is also essential to enable two-factor authentication and to use a password manager to store passwords securely.

7. Insider Threat

An insider threat, as the name implies, involves an insider rather than a third party. In this situation, it can be someone who works for the company and is familiar with its operations. The potential damage from insider threats is enormous.

Small organizations are particularly vulnerable to insider threats because their employees frequently have access to sensitive data. There are several causes for this kind of attack, including avarice, malice, and even negligence. Insider threats are tricky because they are difficult to predict.

Cybersecurity Statistics and Trends

In 2020, the global cybersecurity market was valued at over $170 billion, expected to grow in the coming years. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the global cybersecurity market will be worth over $300 billion by 2024.

In addition to the growth in the cybersecurity market, there has been an increase in cyber-attacks. In 2022, the number of cyber-attacks increased by over 40% compared to 2021.

Cybersecurity Solutions

To protect against cyber-attacks, it is crucial to have a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in place. This strategy should include employee training, secure networks, regular security updates, and intrusion detection systems.

Partnering with a reliable cybersecurity provider, such as Protected Harbor, is also important. Protected Harbor provides a range of cybersecurity services, including security assessments, vulnerability management, and incident response.

Conclusion

You have learned everything there is to know about cyberattacks from this essay on their several types. You studied the definition of a cyber-attack, the top 7 types, and the techniques to avoid one. It is wise to be knowledgeable about cyberattacks and network security, given the rise in cybercrimes today. Watch this video about cybersecurity threats to learn more about this subject.

If you’re looking for a reliable cybersecurity partner, look no further than Protected Harbor. With their range of cybersecurity services, from penetration testing, cloud security, ransomware protection, and email filtering to threat detection and response, we’ve you covered. Whether you’re an SMB or a large enterprise, we have a solution that works for you.

Have you got any inquiries for us about “Cyber Attacks”? Please get in touch with our security specialist. You’ll hear from one of our experts as soon as they can!

The Top 10 Ransomware Attacks Of 2022

Ransomware attacks rose to an all-time high during the year 2022 as most businesses continued their operations through online mediums. Due to the usage of mainly online platforms, these left businesses open to cybercriminals who were sophisticated in their ransomware attacks. According to statistics, within the first quarter of 2022, there were approximately 236.1 million ransomware attacks around the globe.

Companies in turn have to spend a considerable amount in order to rectify the damages of these attacks. According to Cybersecurity ventures, the cost of ransomware attacks are going to increase to $265 billion by 2031.

All of these stats conclude that ransomware attacks will not be slowing down and will only continue to become more advanced. Below, we will be looking at the top 10 ransomware attacks of 2022 that affected both companies and governments systems.

What is a Ransomware Attack?

Ransomware is a type of malware that cybercriminals use to get access to information. When a system gets infected by ransomware, it blocks any user access and encrypts the systems data. Cybercriminals will then demand a ransom to release the locked data. Such a process is known as a ransomware attack.

Cybercriminals can target any individual or company through this type of attack. The affected person or company usually has two options to try and regain access to their data. The first option is that the victim will either pay the ransom to the cybercriminals, which does not guarantee that the hacker will release the encrypted files. The second option, is the victim needs to make an effort to remove the malware, sometimes through either a third-party IT service provider or their own in-house team, which again, is not always a guarantee in recovering every lost file.

The Top Ransomware Attacks in 2022

According to experts, 2022 was the biggest year for ransomware attacks. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant ones.

1. Bridgestone

In February 2022, Bridgestone, one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world, detected a security breach caused by the LockBit ransomware gang. Despite Bridgestone’s efforts to mitigate the attack, the company had to halt their production for a week due to a network outage in North and Latin America.

On March 15, the perpetrators announced they were going to leak the stolen data if they didn’t get paid their ransom fee. In addition to a security check and reconnection to their network, the company has not provided details about the ransom thus far.

2. Puma

On January 10 of 2022, one of the workers of the popular sportswear brand “Puma,” was informed of a data breach following a ransomware attack on Kronos, one of Puma’s workforce management solutions providers. In December of 2021, Kronos had experienced its first incident. According to reports, hackers stole the personal information of over 6,632 of its employees, including US Social Security Numbers, and encrypted the data.

Neither customer data nor financial information was affected. On January 22, Kronos regained full access to their data. To make up for this incident, Kronos offered Puma employees two years of free Experian IdentityWorks, which includes credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and identity restoration.

3. Toyota

In February and March of 2022, Cybercriminals unleashed a ransomware attack on three Toyota suppliers. However, a specific attack on Toyota’s supplier, Kojima Industries, forced the company to halt their operations at 14 Japanese plants.

According to reports, the hack caused a 5% drop in the company’s monthly production capacity. Moreover, Denso and Bridgestone, two Toyota suppliers, were also targeted by ransomware within 11 days.

4. Nvidia

In February 2022, cybercriminals targeted the world’s largest semiconductor chip company Nvidia. According to the company, the threat actor leaked employee credentials as well as proprietary information online.

As part of the attack, Lapsus$ claimed they had access to 1TB of company data that would soon be available publicly. In addition to this, the cybercriminals made a ransom demand of $1 Million.

Some media reports stated that parts of Nvidia’s business had to be taken offline for two days due to compromised internal systems. According to the company, however, the attack did not affect its operations.

5. Costa Rica Government

2022 was the first time in history that a country declared a national emergency response to a cyber-attack. In early April, the first ransomware attack struck the nation, bringing the ministry of finance to its knees and affecting the public and private sectors.

Initially, Conti demanded $10 million in ransom from the government, which subsequently increased to $20 million. As a result of another attack on May 31^st, the country’s healthcare system was in disarray which wound up taking Costa Rica’s healthcare systems offline. The Costa Rican social security fund was also affected by this attack which wound up being linked to HIVE.

6. Bernalillo County

On January 5, Bernalillo County, the largest county in New Mexico, became a victim of a ransomware attack, which brought down several government departments and institutions. The Metropolitan Detention Center was also affected as security cameras, and automatic doors fell offline. Government officials had to restrict the movement of inmates, which is a direct violation of laws for inmate confinement.

For this reason, the county had to file an emergency appeal in the federal court against the act due to this malware attack. However, this was an incredible eye-opener regarding how ransomware attacks can affect citizens’ welfare.

7. SpiceJet

In early 2022, Indian Airline SpiceJet fell victim to a ransomware attack. As a result, hundreds of passengers had to wait in different locations for more than 6 hours, greatly affecting the brand’s reputation.

Moreover, it also raised questions about cybersecurity gaps within the aviation industry. The SpiceJet ransomware attack also highlighted the importance of incident response planning, an initiative that could play a vital role in stopping such future cyber-crimes.

8. Shields Health Care Group

In March, Shields Health Care Group (Shields) suffered a security breach that exposed around two million patient details. Due to Shields’ reliance on hospitals and medical centers, these affects have been extensive leaving at least 53 facilities and their patients vulnerable.

Shield’s official website shows that the company became aware of the ransomware attack on March 28, 2022. They immediately hired cybersecurity experts to tackle the situation and examine the damage of the incident. It was then they found out that hackers gained access to the personal information of patients. However, the company claims they haven’t found any evidence of data misuse.

9. Hensoldt

On January 12, 2022, Hensoldt, a global defense contractor, acknowledged that several of its UK subsidiaries had been the target of a ransomware attack. The company provides sensor solutions for defense, aerospace, and security software to organizations like the US Army, US Marine Corps, and US National Guard.

Although the company has not disclosed the security breach details, the ransomware group, Lorenz, claimed credit and listed the ransom as paid. As of now, it is unclear whether Hensoldt paid the ransom or if another threat actor purchased the data.

10. Marriott

In 2014, hackers compromised Marriott guest records. According to an estimate, the personal data of around 340m guests became publicly available. Although this incident wasn’t public until September 2018, it led to a fine of £14.4m from the UK Information Commissioner’s office. In January 2020, a similar incident occurred when hackers accessed 5.2m of guest records.

In June 2022, hackers claimed to have stolen more than 20GB of sensitive data, including guests’ credit card information. Using social engineering, the attackers allegedly tricked an employee at a Marriott property in Maryland into granting them computer access. Despite Marriott’s denial, it plans to contact more than 300 to 400 people about the incident.

Wrap Up

Ransomware attacks have been a part of the computing world since long before most people knew they existed, and they are not going away any time soon. It’s a cheap, effective, and simple technique for hackers that can infiltrate even the most secure networks.

Businesses need to focus on keeping themselves safe by working on their security. In this regard, experts like Protected Harbor can help you. Our team of experts will tailor a solution to meet your company’s needs, keeping your data safe and secure.

With Protected Harbor, you can defend your data against ransomware threats. To increase the safety and security of your business operations, we combine the most recent immutability technology with top-notch storage solutions. Stay one step ahead of cybercriminals by partnering with a provider that offers email security, endpoint detection, network penetration testing, ransomware, and anti-malware mechanisms.

Unsure which solution is best for your company? Contact our team of experts today and let them determine which solution best fits your company’s needs.

Data Breach at LastPass, How Safe is Your Information?

On December 22^nd, 2022, while millions of people were preparing to celebrate and ring in the new year, cybercriminals were hard at work laying plans to breach the popular password manager, LastPass’s cloud server leaving all of their users exposed.

Due to a prior breach back in August of 2022, LastPass first sent word to its users about a limited security incident within their development environment. At first, it seemed as though there wasn’t too much cause for concern as the hackers had compromised a single developer account and “took portions of source code and some proprietary LastPass technical information.”

However, this past month, LastPass learned that though no customer data was accessed in the prior incident, there were certain source codes and technical information that was taken and used to dupe a LastPass employee into providing the hacker with credentials and keys to access and decrypt particular storage spaces within their cloud. LastPass’s CEO Karim Toubba has done his best to assure users that so long as they have followed their password guidelines, as restated in their statement above, they should be safe. But how safe is their customers’ information completely?

Let’s break it down.

What is LastPass?

For those who don’t know, LastPass is a popular password management software that allows users to store all of their important data, specifically, passwords. Whether it’s an individual’s banking info, logins to a frequented website, or even saved credit cards, insurance cards, memberships, etc. LastPass secures all of it for you, keeping it safe within their cloud software…at least it did, at one point.

How Safe is My Information Now?

The truth is, we can’t speak on behalf of LastPass, but it’s important to note that there are never any sure-fire ways to keep your most important data safe from the ever-advancing cyber-criminals. There are only so many measures companies can take themselves in order to promise your security. Now, this isn’t to say that password management software’s such as LastPass can’t ever be trusted. For example, LastPass went so far as to instill quite a few security measures including their zero-knowledge policy, but it’s important to take the extra precautions yourself to ensure your own safety.

Aside from following the guidelines set forth for password protection from LastPass or any other website, we recommend for individuals to do the following:

• Instill 2-Factor Authorization (2-FA): We understand the ease of being able to just click sign in/login on a screen and having the website right at our fingertips. However, not instilling a 2-FA can cause you more harm than good in the long run. With 2-FA there are many different versions websites tend to use in order to keep your data safe whether that’s by sending a unique code to your phone or email, asking you security questions, and so on. We recommend whenever a user is signing up for any website to always enable 2FA for that extra boost of security.
• Change Your Passwords Often: Let’s be honest, we all have that one favorite password that we’ve been using for years on multiple sites because it’s the easiest thing to remember. That one password however can result in our immediate downfall if it’s exposed in a breach. We recommend updating your passwords and following the specifications provided by the websites you are signing up for to prevent any potential exposure.
• Store Your Passwords on Your Own Cloud: Just because LastPass experienced a data breach through their cloud doesn’t mean that all cloud servers can’t be trusted. The safest cloud option that you have available to you, is your own. Whether your passwords are stored on your own personal device in a folder, on your phone, or on your iCloud/Google Cloud, you are the gatekeeper of your passwords as you set the security measures.
• Don’t Login on Public Computers or Servers: Though this seems obvious, we have to reiterate the importance of staying off of your most important websites when you are out in public. You never know who is around and who is waiting for you to login in order for them to gain access to your most personal files. Always login on a private, personal computer or a private network.

Final Words

Data breaches at this stage in the game of today’s ever-evolving world are inevitable. A security breach on a source like LastPass was something that was unfortunately bound to happen as every single person, including hackers, has their one lucky day. The only thing that internet users can do in order to prevent their information from being spread is to take their own private security measures.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an average consumer or a company using password managers like LastPass; you need to be sure your data is always safe and take the proper security precautions.

Nervous about how secure your company’s files are after reading about this breach? Contact us today for a Free IT Audit and put your fears at ease.

Why Cyber-attacks Are So Damaging

The digital world has made life easier for humans and opened up new avenues for exploitation and crime. Cyber-attacks have become increasingly common, and their damaging effects are felt everywhere.

We welcome you to another episode of Uptime with Richard Luna. In the cybersecurity minute today, we will discuss why cyber-attacks are so damaging, the cost, and how small businesses can protect themselves from cyber threats.

Why are Cyber-attacks So Damaging

Cyber-attacks are so damaging because they can do immense harm to businesses, governments, and individuals. Cyber threats can cause tremendous economic losses and compromise the security of sensitive information.

Businesses may lose sensitive customer information or confidential corporate data and bear the cost of replacing or restoring it. In some cases, they may even be fined by regulatory agencies for failing to protect their data. Cybercriminals can also steal money from businesses by hacking into their systems, leading to significant losses.

The Cost of Cyber-attacks

The cost of cyber-attacks can be immense in terms of money and reputation. Businesses that are targeted by cybercriminals can suffer significant financial losses due to theft, fraud, and other malicious activities. They may also be subject to fines and other penalties imposed by regulatory agencies.

In addition to financial losses, businesses can suffer reputational damage due to cyber-attacks. Customers may lose trust in the company and take their business elsewhere. This can lead to a decline in sales and profits, and it may take a long time for the industry to recover.

Another cost of cyber-attacks is the time and effort spent restoring systems and data. Businesses will have to invest in new security measures to protect their systems from future attacks, and they will also have to spend time and resources recovering from the attack. This can be a lengthy and costly process, and it can disrupt the business’s operations.

Cybersecurity for Small Businesses

Small businesses are especially vulnerable to cyber threats, as they usually lack the resources and expertise to protect themselves. Fortunately, there are several steps that small businesses can take to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.

The first step is to invest in robust cybersecurity tools and technologies. These tools can help to protect the business from various threats, such as malware, phishing, and ransomware. It is also essential to ensure that the business’s systems are regularly updated to protect against the latest threats.

Small businesses should also develop an incident response plan to prepare for cyber-attacks. This plan should include steps for identifying, responding to, and recovering from a cyber-attack. Training employees on cyber security best practices, such as avoiding suspicious links and emails and using strong passwords, is also essential.

Finally, small businesses should consider working with a cybersecurity partner to ensure that their systems are secure. A cybersecurity partner can provide enterprise-grade protection and help the company respond quickly and effectively to any threats.

Conclusion

Cyber-attacks can have severe and far-reaching consequences, and businesses of all sizes need to take steps to protect themselves. Small businesses should invest in robust cybersecurity tools and technologies, develop a comprehensive incident response plan, and work with a cybersecurity partner to ensure their systems are secure. With the proper protections in place, businesses can reduce cyber-attack risk and minimize its damaging effects.

At Protected Harbor, we provide enterprise-grade cybersecurity to businesses of all sizes. Contact us today for a free cybersecurity assessment and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business is secure. Keep watching the video and other resources to stay safe.

Top Phishing Email Attacks to Watch For

Attacks, including phishing, have increased over the past few years. However, since Covid-19 forced many businesses to adopt remote working, phishing assaults have sharply increased.

IRONSCALES’ most recent study indicates that since March 2020, email phishing assaults have increased in frequency for 81% of enterprises worldwide.

Even though phishing is a genuine issue for businesses today, just about 1 in 5 organizations provide their staff with phishing awareness training once a year. Financial institutions targeted 23.6% of all phishing attacks during the first quarter of 2022.

Additionally, webmail and web-based software services accounted for 20.5% of attacks, making them the two most often targeted sectors for phishing during the investigated quarter.

There is proof that most people are aware that phishing attacks exist. Many businesses offer training and simulations to teach staff members how to recognize phishing emails and messages.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is an email scam where the sender spoofs their identity and tries to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. Phishing can be either a social engineering attack or an information technology (IT) compromise.

These attacks are carried out by sending emails with URLs that look like they come from legitimate sites, but they lead to fake versions of those sites instead. Phishers aim to trick recipients into providing personal information or clicking on links that will infect their computers with malware.

Phishers often use websites that look like they belong to well-known companies but are not the real deal. The phishers use a technique known as domain spoofing to hide their identity and make it seem as if they are asking for personal information from other people on the Internet.

Why is Phishing Successful?

Phishing is a tactic used by criminals to obtain personal and financial information from victims.

It has become so popular and successful because of a combination of factors:

Users are the Weakest Link

Phishing is a popular and successful method of cyber-attack because users are the weakest link in the chain. They are the easiest targets for cybercriminals, who are often unaware that their personal information has been compromised.

Phishing attacks are often powered by bots that send thousands of emails or spam messages simultaneously so that victims may receive several notifications from different sources. This means it is harder to spot an attack, especially if you have received a phishing message from a trusted source like your bank or email provider.

Lack of Awareness

The lack of awareness among users is also one of the most significant factors contributing to phishing attacks becoming more popular in recent years. Phishing messages are sent to unsuspecting victims via legitimate websites and social media platforms, which makes them look real at first glance. People tend to trust these websites more than they should because they think they are using them legitimately.

Phishing Tools are Low-cost and Widespread

Countless websites provide free phishing kits – including fake websites that look exactly like the real thing – with step-by-step guides explaining how to create phishing sites. These kits make it easy for even amateurs with no experience in web development or IT security at all to develop convincing-looking phishing sites that get past most security checks.

Top Phishing Email Attacks to Watch For

Don’t let the sweet names given to these attacks mislead you. They can be devastating for victims and are serious. The following are the most typical methods used by cybercriminals:

1.    Email Phishing

Email phishing is a type of scam that involves sending an email to trick the recipient into entering their personal information into a fake website.

Email phishing primarily aims to obtain your username, password, and other confidential information. Once you enter this information, it can be used to access your account or steal money from your bank account.

2.    Smishing

One of the most common phishing attacks is the smishing attack, which exploits a vulnerability in a smartphone or tablet to fool the user into giving up their login credentials or other personal information. The attacker sends a message to the user’s mobile device pretending to be an official source of information, asking the user to click on a link to see more details. Smishing attacks can target all devices, including desktop computers and smartphones.

3.    Vishing

A vishing attack is a call-forwarding scheme where a caller posing as a legitimate person at an organization calls a victim and claims to be from the organization. The caller then offers up some product or service for sale and asks the victim to provide their personal information. The caller may also ask for sensitive payment information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, or PINs.

4.    Spear Phishing

Spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing that targets specific individuals at an organization by sending emails that appear to come from legitimate employees. These emails include a link or attachment that the attackers can use to steal valuable information or perform other malicious actions on behalf of the victim.

5.    Whaling

Whaling is another form of targeted spear phishing where attackers attempt to obtain personal information from high-value individuals within an organization. This attack often occurs on company websites, such as those owned by major corporations.

6.    Fake Websites

A fake website is another phishing attack that uses deceptive URLs, images, and logos to trick users into entering their data. These sites look legitimate and mimic popular websites like Facebook, Twitter, and PayPal.

They often ask users for sensitive data such as passwords or credit card numbers. Spammers often use fake websites to spread malware or links to malicious files.

Conclusion

Phishing attacks are a constant risk for businesses. Even if you can’t completely protect yourself from phishing assaults, you can generally prevent their success. The possibility that any phishing may harm your firm can be significantly decreased with a mix of defensive technologies to defend your systems and training to help your personnel recognize fraud.

Protected Harbor protects your company’s brand and reputation from phishing scams by allowing users to report phishing emails and block them from ever reaching your inbox. With the ability to deliver messages to your inbox based on rules, you can segment and prioritize essential emails.

With us, you can rest assured that your business communications are protected. You get advanced anti-spam and email filtering, anti-phishing and malware protection, and 24/7 support.

We are here to help with your every need, from risk assessments to network maintenance. Contact us today to get started.