5 Types of Cybersecurity Attacks — And How to Prevent Them

In March of 2024, Microsoft developer Andres Freund made a discovery that stopped a global cyberattack in its tracks. While running tests on Linux, Freund noticed unusually high processing power from an application. Investigating, he uncovered malicious "backdoor" code hidden in the latest version of XZ Utils, a data compression tool used in millions of systems worldwide. If the code had spread, attackers could have seized control of vital systems from hospital networks to government infrastructures.

Freund’s intuition stopped a potentially catastrophic cyberattack, proving that even the smallest details matter in cybersecurity. 

Of course, he's an experienced and highly skilled tech pro, and not everyone is. But not every cyberattack is an intricate "backdoor" attack, either. 

In fact, bad actors always look for the easiest way in. 

Cybercriminals are looking for your organization's “unlocked front door” — the frontline employees who unknowingly make their crime easier. 

Hackers don't have to be tech experts. They know that tricking someone into making a quick decision — like clicking on a suspicious link or trusting an email from a “colleague” — is far easier than breaking into an encrypted system. 

Security expert Bruce Schneir famously said, "Only amateurs attack machines; professionals target people." Cybercriminals take advantage of natural human behavior.When we react quickly without awareness, or get complacent about securing our personal information, mistakes can happen. And they happen often: according to one IBM study, 95% of cybersecurity breaches result from human error. 

That's why every employee plays a critical role in keeping their organizations safe. By learning about common cyberattacks, recognizing warning signs, and taking simple steps to help prevent them, we can all contribute to a safer workplace — and a safer world.

Let's examine five common types of cyberattacks and discuss some simple ways to shut that front door.

Phishing attacks are one of the most common (and sneaky) methods hackers use. These attacks come through emails or messages that appear to be from a trusted source, like your boss, and prompt you to open a malicious link, open an infected attachment, or provide sensitive information like passwords.

With the rise of AI, cybercriminals are creating sophisticated "spear phishing" campaigns that are fine-tuned to the recipient. AI tools can scrape social media or professional profiles to generate highly targeted messages that feel incredibly real and make them harder to detect.

How to Spot a Phishing Attack
• Watch out for emails with urgent language, such as "Immediate action required."
• Check the sender’s email address closely — does it look correct, or have an extra or missing letter?
• Be wary of unexpected attachments or links. Check the source first.

Prevention Tips: Set an email filter for attachments and external links. Always verify the source before taking any action. If anything seems off, contact the sender using a trusted communication method — don’t reply to the suspicious email.

Malware, short for malicious software, can sneak into your computer to damage, steal, or hold your data hostage. Malware can come from various sources, like clicking on a link, downloading free software, or even plugging in an infected USB drive.

How to Recognize a Malware Attack
• Your device suddenly slows down, crashes, or starts acting weird.
• You notice strange pop-up messages or unfamiliar programs installed on your computer.
• Files disappear or are suddenly inaccessible.

Prevention Tips: Install and regularly update anti-virus software to catch malware before it wreaks havoc. Always double-check the source before downloading and installing any programs. Inform your supervisor and contact your IT department immediately if you recognize the warning signs.

Ransomware is a terrifying form of malware. Hackers encrypt your files, making them inaccessible, and then demand payment (a ransom) to unlock them. It’s like someone breaking into your home, locking all your valuables in a box, and charging you to get the key.

How Ransomware Sneaks In
• Ransomware often enters your system through phishing emails.
• Clicking on a bad link or downloading a harmful attachment can give hackers access to your files.
• "Drive-by" downloads can occur through infected URLs and "adware" (fake ads embedded with malware.)

Prevention Tips: Regularly back up your files to an external hard drive or cloud service so that you won't be forced to pay if ransomware strikes. Practice "safe surfing" and don't click on pop-up ads, especially on work devices. (There's more than one reason you shouldn't surf the web at work.) 

If your passwords are easy to remember, they're also easy to crack. A recent Home Security Heroes study reveals that AI can crack 51% of common passwords in under a minute. And once a hacker accesses your accounts, they can steal or sell your information or even lock you out.

Signs Your Passwords Are Vulnerable
• You receive notice that your personal data has been leaked in a breach.
• Are you using the same "pet name" password across multiple accounts? Congrats! You've just gifted your hacker a free pass to your whole life.
• You store passwords in an unencrypted document or file, or a non-password-protected device.

Prevention Tips: Change passwords frequently, especially when affected by a breach. Choose lengthy, unique passwords for each account by using a non-sequenced mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a password manager to generate and store passwords securely. And don’t forget to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all your accounts, which adds an extra layer of security.

Social engineering is, at its heart, more about psychology than technology. It's a set of tactics cybercriminals use to manipulate people into giving up confidential information. This could be someone pretending to be an IT professional, or an email or pre-text from a vendor or friend that looks legit but isn’t.

Common Social Engineering Scenarios
• Someone calls, pretending to be from IT, and asks for your login credentials.
• You receive an email promising a service or benefit in exchange for information (Quid Pro Quo).
• Unauthorized people can steal or access confidential information if they manage to physically enter secure premises.

Prevention Tips: Be cautious when anyone asks for sensitive information, especially if it seems urgent. Never allow someone you don't know to "tailgate" you into your workplace, and always follow security protocols. Remove camera and microphone permissions from personal apps. And never leave your browser open, or confidential documents unsecured.

Here's another reason to "break in" to cybersecurity: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 32% rise in cybersecurity jobs between 2022 and 2032, far exceeding the 3% average growth rate for all jobs in the country. According to Forbes, nearly 4 million cybersecurity jobs remain vacant. 

The tech skills gap is real. Professionals who are skilled in this area and understand how to safeguard applications, resources, data and so on, are greatly needed — right now. 

Remember, cybersecurity awareness doesn’t require a degree in IT — but it starts with learning. Investing in personalized cybersecurity training not only empowers employees with the knowledge they need to spot potential dangers but also grows a culture of shared responsibility. 

If you're curious about learning more, Skillsoft's Introduction to Cybersecurity Aspire Journey is a great place to start.