Comprehensive List of All Types of Internet Threats

Types of Internet Threats A-L

Adware

Adware is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while a program is running. The ads are delivered through pop-up windows or bars that appear on the program’s user interface. Adware is commonly created for computers, but may also be found on mobile devices. Read More

Asset (computing)

An asset is a part of software or hardware contained by an information technology environment that holds up valuable data-related activities. The stalking of assets within an asset management system can be essential to the functioning or monetary success of an organization. Therefore, an asset should be defended from illegal access, use, leak, and a variation that might lead to a loss in the organization.

Bluejacking

Bluejacking is a technique that involves sending unsolicited messages over Bluetooth to Bluetooth-enabled devices such as mobile phones, computers, or PDAs. These messages could be in the form of text, images, or sounds. While bluejacking is usually harmless and more of an annoyance, it raises concerns about the potential misuse of Bluetooth technology to intrude or steal personal information.

Bluesnarfing

Bluesnarfing is the use of Bluetooth connection to steal information from a wireless device, particularly common in smartphones and laptops. Using programming languages that allow them to find Bluetooth devices left continuously on and in “discovery” mode, cybercriminals can attack devices as far as 300 feet away without leaving any trace.

Read more about Bluejacking vs. Bluesnarfing

Botnets

Botnets are compilations of any form of internet-connected system that an attacker has compromised. A botnet is the compilation of software robots, or ‘bots’, that generates an army of infected computers (also regarded as ‘zombies’) that are distantly controlled by the inventor. It acts as a power multiplier for cybercriminals to force an entry into their recipient device. The bots are dispersed because the attacker uses several computers, together with yours, to lift off the distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDOS).

Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacker meaning: This is a malware program that modifies web browser settings without the user’s permission and redirects the user to websites the user had not intended to visit. Often called a browser redirect virus because it redirects the browser to other, usually malicious, websites, a browser hijacker enables browser hijacking.

Browser homepage hijacking is a common form of browser hijacking. This type of malware changes the user’s web browser homepage and redirects the user to websites that the hacker wants the user to visit. Browser homepage hijacking can also change search engine settings, display unwanted pop-up advertisements, and slow down internet connection speeds.

Some popular browser hijacker names include CWS, CoolWebSearch, Qvo6, and Delta.

Browser hijackers can be installed as a result of downloading malicious software through deceptive pop-up ads on your user’s browser or by visiting malicious websites. Browser-hijacking software can also be installed as part of a software bundle or through malicious ads. Browser hijacker means the hackers have changed your default search engine, the home page, or other browser settings. It may also redirect your web searches to different unwanted websites, which can be a privacy concern and an annoyance. In some cases, it can even lead to malicious software being installed on your computer without your knowledge. To prevent browser hijacking, users must be vigilant about internet habits and the use of reliable security solutions.

Browser Security

The web browser is inarguably the most popular platform for people to gain access to the internet for any specified range of consumer or business intentions. There are different vulnerabilities that the web browser encounters which may stem from poor implementation, poor design, or a diffident configuration. Browser security serves as an application of internet security to web browsers in order to secure networked data and computer systems from violations of privacy or malware attacks. It makes use of JavaScript with cross-site scripting and also with a secondary payload through Adobe Flash.

Chat Clients

This is the software that resides in the user’s computer for handling instant messaging (IM) or chat rooms. It is an application that enables you to connect to an XMPP for instant messaging with other people over the Internet. There are many free clients you can use to do this, for many different devices and operating systems.

Countermeasure (computer)

In this perspective, a threat is a possible or real adversarial event that may be malicious, which can compromise the assets of an organization or the reliability of a computer or network. A countermeasure is an exploit, system, or device that is employed to stop, prevent, or lessen various possible threats computers, servers, networks, operating systems (OS) or information systems (IS) can face. Countermeasure implements different tools such as anti-virus software and firewalls.

Cyber Attack

A cyber-attack is an intentional manipulation attack against computer systems, networks, and internet-supported devices. It makes use of malicious code to change the computer code, logic, or data causing troublesome outcomes that can compromise data and result in cybercrime such as information and identity damage. It is also acknowledged as a computer network attack (CNA).

Cyberwarfare

Cyberwarfare is any simulated clash instigated as a driven attack on an opponent’s computer and information systems. Conducted through the Internet, these attacks restrict financial and organizational systems by filtering or changing confidential data to destabilize networks, websites, and services. It is employed when targeting the battlespace or warfare environment of computers, virtual control systems, and networks. It takes in mutually offensive and defensive processes pertaining to the threat of cyber attacks, surveillance, and interference.

Cybercrime

Cybercrime is any criminal activity that requires a computer, networked gadget, or a network. While most cybercrimes are incorporated online scams with the intention of generating profit for the cybercriminals, some cybercrimes are carried out against computers or devices openly to damage or deactivate them, while others use it to distribute malware, illicit information, images, or other materials.

Denial-of-Service Attack (DOS)

A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is an attack intended to close down a system or network, making it unreachable to its prospected users. DoS attacks achieve this plan by deluging the target with traffic or sending a piece of information that generates a crash. The attack denies authentic users of the service or asset they anticipated.

Email-Borne Viruses

Email-borne viruses are malicious programs that are attached to emails and are inflicted on the target computer or computer by the operating system itself. These viruses may be carried with a spam or phishing message from your friend who might also be unaware that his computer system is infected with such viruses.

High Orbit Ion Cannon

High Orbit Ion Cannon is a limitless, open-source network stress application that was developed to substitute the Low Orbit Ion Cannon. It is used to dispatch DoS and DDoS attacks, which intend to flood a target’s network with web traffic and close down the website. While the majority of malicious software tools involve a great point of technical skill, the HOIC offers an easy and accessible interface and can be put on with the click of a button.

IT Risk

An IT-related risk is any type of risk interconnected with information technology. While information has been appreciated as a valued and vital asset for a long time, the escalation of the information economy and the digital revolution has steered organizations to become gradually dependent on information, information processing, and particularly IT. Evaluating the possibility of the prospect of several sorts of incidents with their projected effects they occur is a great way to evaluate IT risks. IT risk is the possibility that a given cyber threat will make use of the vulnerabilities of an asset and thus cause damage to the organization.

Image Spam

Image spam is a type of spam, or rather, a spamming technique, in which a spam message is delivered in the form of an image. This is done to circumvent spam filters that scan for particular keywords. This works because a user can read an image, whereas many anti-spam systems cannot.

Internet safety

Internet safety is the act of trying to be safe on the internet and the understanding of exploiting the user’s personal safety and security threats to private information and assets associated with using the internet, and self-defense from computers and cybercrime as a whole.

Internet security

Internet security is a part of computer security particularly interrelated to the Internet, which involves browser security and network security on a more universal level, as it pertains to other applications and operating systems altogether. Its intention is to create rules and measures software developers to utilize against attacks over the Internet.

Key Logger

A keylogger, sometimes called a keystroke logger or system monitor, is a type of surveillance technology used to monitor and record each keystroke typed on a specific computer’s keyboard. A keylogger can record instant messages, and emails, and capture any information you type at any time using your keyboard, including usernames, passwords, and other personally identifiable information.

Low Orbit Ion Cannon

The Low Orbit Ion Cannon is a comprehensible tool used to launch DoS and DDoS attacks that overwork a server with malicious traffic flow. It was initially built by Praetox Technology as a network stress-testing application, but it has subsequently turned into an open-source which is now applied with a malicious target.

Types of Internet Threats M-Z

Man-in-the-Browser

Man in the browser is a security attack where the culprit sets up a Trojan horse on a target’s computer that has the capacity to alter the user’s Web transactions as they take place in real-time. The usage of this method has been narrowing to financial fraud generally, due to the assets required.

Malware

Malware is any program that is detrimental to a computer user. Malware consists of computer viruses, spyware, worms, and Trojan horses. These malicious programs can execute a selection of functions, ranging from stealing, encoding, or other data breaches deleting delicate data, modifying or hijacking essential computing tasks, and monitoring users’ computer actions without their consent.

Mousetrapping

Mousetrapping is a technique used by some websites to keep visitors from leaving their website, either by launching an endless series of pop-up ads—known colloquially as a soggy biscuit—or by re-launching their website in a window that cannot be easily closed (sometimes this window runs like a stand-alone application, and the taskbar and the browser’s menu become inaccessible). Many websites that do this also employ browser hijackers to reset the user’s default homepage.

Overseas Money Transfer Scam

This type of scam is specifically tricky where the scammer sends you money under the guise of payment. Once a device is compromised, hackers have access to everything on it: contacts, emails, passwords, photos, and any other sensitive information. To make matters worse, they can also leave victims with costly bills.

Protect Your Business with Cybriant’s IT Security Best Practices Checklist

Pharming

Pharming is another way hackers try to deploy users on the Internet. Pharming is a tracking system in which malicious code is installed on a private computer or server, directing users to fraudulent Web sites without their awareness or permission.

Phishing

Phishing is a cyber-attack that uses concealed email as a tool. The objective is to fake the email recipient into considering that the message is something they need or require — an application from their bank, for instance, or a mail from their company.

RootKit

A rootkit is a program or, more often, a collection of software tools that gives a threat actor remote access to and control over a computer or other system. While there have been legitimate uses for this type of software, such as to provide remote end-user support, most rootkits open a backdoor on victim systems to introduce malicious software, such as viruses, ransomware, keylogger programs, or other types of malware, or to use the system for further network security attacks.

Rich Internet Applications

Rich Internet applications (RIA) are web-based applications that are designed to deliver some features of graphical desktop applications. Put together with controlling development outfits, RIAs run faster and can be more occupied. They provide users with an enhanced visual experience and extra interactivity than normal traditional browser applications that make use of only HTML and HTTP. RIAs usually divide the processing through the network by pinpointing the user interface and related activity, and also the data manipulation and processing of the application server side.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malware that confines your right to use your computer and exhibits a message that requests payment in order for the restriction to be detached. It is malicious software from crypto-virology that intends to publish the victim’s data or continually block access to it unless a ransom is paid.

Spam

This is the mass distribution of unwanted messages, advertising, or pornography to individuals which can simply be found on the Internet such as social networking sites, company websites, and personal blogs.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Managed Detection and Remediation

Spoofing

Spoofing, in general, is a fraudulent or malicious practice in which communication is sent from an unknown source disguised as a source known to the receiver. Spoofing is most prevalent in communication mechanisms that lack a high level of security.

Spyware

Spyware is software that is installed on a computing device without the end user’s knowledge. Such software is controversial because it is sometimes installed for relatively innocuous reasons as it can violate the end user’s privacy and has the potential to be abused.

Scareware

Scareware is a type of malware designed to trick victims into purchasing and downloading useless and potentially dangerous software. Scareware, which generates pop-ups that resemble Windows system messages, usually purports to be antivirus or antispyware software, a firewall application, or a registry cleaner. The messages typically say that a large number of problems — such as infected files — have been found on the computer and the user is prompted to purchase software to fix the problems.

SQL Injection

SQL Injection refers to an injection attack wherein an attacker can execute malicious SQL statements (also commonly referred to as a malicious payload) that control a web application’s database server (also commonly referred to as a Relational Database Management System – RDBMS). Since an SQL Injection vulnerability could possibly affect any website or web application that makes use of an SQL-based database, the vulnerability is one of the oldest, most prevalent, and most dangerous of web application vulnerabilities.

Related: Security Benefits of Identity and Access Management

Trojan Horses

In computing, a Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless but is, in fact, malicious. A Trojan horse is any malicious computer program that misleads users of its true intent. Unexpected changes to computer settings and unusual activity, even when the computer should be idle, are strong indications that a Trojan is residing on the computer.

Threat (computer)

In computer security, a threat is a potential risk that develops a vulnerability to breach security and therefore cause danger. A threat can be either intentional (for instance, hacking an individual, cracker, or a criminal organization) or accidental (for instance, the probability of a computer malfunctioning, or the chance of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, a fire, or a tornado).

Viruses

A computer virus is a malicious code that replicates by copying itself to another program, computer boot sector, or document and changes how a computer works. The virus requires someone to knowingly or unknowingly spread the infection without the knowledge or permission of a user or system administrator.

Vulnerability (computing)

A vulnerability is a security flaw in a software database that places the program or computer at risk of malicious programs and users who exploit vulnerabilities. For instance, an Internet browser possesses a vulnerability that crashes the browser and lets an individual read or copy files from the computer when you visit a web page with malicious code.

Web Applications

A web application is any computer program that executes a precise task by making use of a web browser as its user. It is an application program that is kept on a remote server and conveyed throughout the network via a browser interface. The application is as simple as a message board or an interaction form on a website.

Web Development

Web development generally implies the tasks related to emerging websites for hosting through the internet. Web development is the programming or coding that allows website functionality, for each of the owner’s desires. The process consists of web design, web content development, client-side/server-side scripting, and network security alignment, among other functions.

Wi-Fi Eavesdropping

Wi-Fi Eavesdropping is an electronic attack where digital communications are intercepted by an individual whom they are not intended for. This is done in two main ways: Directly listening to digital or analog voice communication or the interception or sniffing of data relating to any form of communication.

Worms

A computer worm is a type of malicious software program whose primary function is to infect other computers while remaining active on infected systems. A computer worm is a malicious, self-replicating software program (popularly termed ‘malware’) that affects the functions of software and hardware programs.

WPA2 Handshake Vulnerabilities

A flaw in WPA2’s Handshake Vulnerabilities could be exploited to read and steal data that would otherwise be protected. In some situations, the vulnerability even leaves room for an attacker to manipulate data on a Wi-Fi network, or inject new data in. In practice, that means hackers could steal your passwords, intercept your financial data, or even manipulate commands to, say, send your money to themselves.

Protect Your Business with Cybriant’s IT Security Best Practices Checklist

Five Most Common Cyber Threats

1. Phishing: Phishing is when malicious attackers use emails, text messages, or other forms of communication to try to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims. Attackers will typically use social engineering tactics such as impersonating known companies or individuals in order to gain access to sensitive data.

2. Malware: Malware is a type of malicious software designed to infect computers and other digital devices. This type of attack is typically used to steal confidential information or data, damage systems and networks, or disrupt services.

3. Ransomware: Ransomware is a form of malware that blocks access to data breaches in a system until the victim pays a ransom fee. This type of attack can encrypt or delete data, making it impossible to access unless the victim pays a ransom.

4. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack: A DDoS attack is when an attacker floods a website or system with requests until it is overwhelmed and unable to function properly. This type of attack can be used by cybercriminals to disrupt services or extort money from victims.

5. SQL Injection: SQL injection is a type of attack that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in database software, allowing malicious attackers to gain access to sensitive data or even take control of an entire database. These attacks are often combined with other techniques such as phishing and malware for maximum impact.

Prevent Cyber Attacks

One of the most effective methods of preventing cyber attacks is to enlist the help of a managed security service provider (MSSP). An MSSP, like Cybriant, offers services like Managed Detection and Remediation (MDR), Managed SIEM, and Vulnerability Management.

Managed Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) is a great way to gain insights into potential threats before they become major issues. A SIEM allows you to collect logs from multiple devices so that you can detect anomalies or malicious activities, which can be used as the basis for further action. This way, you can be proactive in protecting your network and data from cyber-attacks.

Vulnerability management is another important aspect of managed security services. By conducting regular scans of your systems, an MSP can detect any weaknesses that might make them vulnerable to attack. They can also provide patching services to ensure timely updates and keep your networks safe from the latest threats.

Managed Detection and Remediation (MDR) is the final component of managed security services. With MDR, an MSSP can detect malicious activity on your network and take action quickly. This way, any potential damage can be minimized while also helping to protect against future attacks.

The combination of these services makes it possible for companies to effectively prevent cyber attacks before they become major issues. Cybriant makes it easy by putting these services together in a tool called CybriantXDR.

Enlisting the help of an MSSP for managed security services can provide a much-needed layer of protection against cyber attacks and ensure that your systems are always secure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to be aware of the different types of cyber threats examples and current computer virus threats that exist and to take steps to protect your computer and data. If you are unsure of how to do this or need help implementing security measures, Cybriant can assist you. We offer a variety of services designed to fortify your defenses against current and future internet security threats.

Traditional SIEM vs. Next-Generation SIEM