You should know about the recent cyber-attacks that are affecting businesses, governments, and individuals. In this article, we will look at social engineering, XSS, and credential stuffing attacks, as well as Ransomware. These attacks are threatening your data, so it is important to be vigilant.
Ransomware attacks
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files and then demands money in exchange for restoring functionality or services. These attacks can target both corporations and individuals. In some cases, ransom demands can reach $300,000 or more.
Fortunately, these attacks are preventable. You can protect your network from them by ensuring your operating systems are updated and patched. These updates are essential because they reduce the vulnerability of your system. Also, avoid giving administrative privileges to software or programs that are not trusted. Another effective method is to install antivirus software. This will detect any malicious programs that arrive on your PC. Lastly, you should also consider whitelisting software to prevent unauthorized applications from running on your system.
One of the most common methods of ransomware delivery is through phishing spam. This malware disguises itself as a trusted file and steals a victim's data. It can also encrypt files on a system and demand a ransom in the form of iTunes gift cards.
Social engineering
Social engineering is a type of cyber-attack that uses social networks to lure victims into divulging sensitive information. The attacker will gather information from public sources and familiarize themselves with a business's operations. After they've acquired enough information, they will contact a targeted user and attempt to persuade him or her to perform a certain action. In some cases, the attacker will even try to connect on a personal level with their victim.
To protect yourself against this type of attack, make sure to never share PII (Personally identifiable information) with third parties, including phishing links. These malicious links can look like an official website and trick a user into divulging sensitive information. Some of these scams will promise free items in return for a shipping payment, but these offers are almost always fraudulent. Also, it's important to lock your computer when you're not using it. Using anti-virus software is also an essential defense against social engineering campaigns. You should also read company privacy policies.
XSS
XSS is an advanced form of cyber-attack that allows the malicious actor to gain nearly full control over the user's computer. The attacker can send messages and intercept keystrokes before they're processed, and this information can be used to conduct follow-on attacks. XSS is different from other recent cyber-attacks such as SQL injection, which modify database queries on the server side.
XSS attacks are caused by a vulnerability in a web application. These exploits work by injecting malicious JavaScript into the code of a web page. This malicious code can then affect the execution logic of a function that can be dangerous. One of the most reliable methods of detection is instrumental analysis of an application's source code. Positive Technologies' Application Inspector can detect these vulnerabilities and build an exploit for the vulnerability. The tool also includes an interactive data flow diagram to visualize the exploit process.
Credential stuffing
Credential stuffing is an online security threat that relies on users' reusing usernames and account IDs across multiple websites or services. The attack is particularly successful if the user uses their email address as username. Users can prevent credential stuffing by using password managers or enabling two-factor authentication. This method can also be carried out by botnets, which are groups of compromised devices that collect user data.
Credential stuffing attacks are a serious threat to online users and organizations alike. In addition to the potential for identity theft and financial loss, these attacks give hackers access to an organization's systems. Once a hacker gains this access, they can steal data and carry out other malicious activities.
Distributed denial-of-service attacks
Distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks are an increasingly common form of cyber-attack. These attacks can disrupt networked systems by overloading them with requests. They can cause a system to run slowly or even stop responding altogether. As more of these attacks become more sophisticated, organizations need to improve their defenses to combat them.
Often, attackers combine amplification and reflection techniques to cause havoc on a network or website. For instance, they might use a botnet to attack a website and force it to respond with more data than it can handle. This can increase the impact of the attack by 50 times. Distributed denial-of-service attacks can affect both businesses and individuals.
DDoS attacks are often coordinated with ransomware attacks. Attackers typically belong to an organized crime group or a small group of hackers. However, in some cases, DDoS attacks are launched for personal gain as well. They target network devices, such as routers and switches, and use botnets to generate a large volume of traffic.