Cyber Security

For any organisation that handles a large amount of sensitive data, the threat of cyber attacks, including phishing emails, is an ongoing concern. Among these threats, hacking is widespread and insidious, as it can breach your network and steal crucial information for financial gain. Therefore, understanding the different types of hacking is not just advisable; it is essential in the continuous effort to prevent cyber threats. This knowledge empowers you to take proactive measures and avoid potential breaches.

What is hacking?

Hacking refers to unauthorised access or manipulation of personal information, data, digital systems, networks, or devices. It often involves exploiting software vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or weak credentials to gain control over or extract information from these systems. Hacking can be performed through various processes and employs sophisticated, constantly evolving tools.

The difference between “hackers” and “cyber attackers”

Cyberattackers are users who use technical skills to disrupt services, steal data, or extort money. They aim to steal personal information, such as usernames and credit card details, and are generally negative. One example of cyberattackers is hackers. However, not all hackers are cyber attackers. Some hackers are ethical and benefit several parties, such as organisations, that find flaws before malicious actors exploit them. These are often referred to as white hats.

Types of hacking

Understanding these hacking methods, such as session hijacking, can help prevent future breaches.

Malware Attacks

Malware is malicious software designed to harm or compromise computer systems. It is often used to gain unauthorised access to sensitive data. For example, in the healthcare sector, malware can encrypt patient records and hold them for ransom. Malware is a dangerous hack because it can encrypt data records and cost organisations. Keyloggers, spyware, and ransomware are all types of malware. It usually infiltrates systems through infected email attachments, compromised websites, or unsecured networks.

Denial of Service

A Denial of Service (Dos) attack overwhelms a system, potentially exposing it to further attacks by malicious software or viruses. This attack has an alarming impacts the organisation because the system becomes delayed and cannot even be adequately accessed. Attackers use botnets, a network of compromised devices, to amplify their attacks and gain access to data. Attackers amplify their attacks using sophisticated techniques, including deploying malware and exploiting vulnerabilities. Although it does not steal a company’s data, the organisation can incur significant costs to deal with trust damage. This underscores the urgency of implementing robust prevention strategies.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks primarily steal an organisation’s sensitive information, such as usernames and credit card details, by pretending to be a trusted source in a phishing email. This type of hack can be fake emails or accounts resembling co-workers, so it easily fools many. Therefore, staff or people in the organisation must be more careful and aware of phishing so as not to incur losses.

Cross-Site Scripting

Cross-site scripting (XSS) injects malicious code into a website that executes scripts in another user’s browser. Hackers often use this tactic to steal information, steal session cookies, or redirect users to fake pages. Organisation websites that manage customer logins or feedback forms can be especially vulnerable if user input isn’t properly sanitised.

Clickjacking Attacks

Clickjacking is an attack that tricks users into clicking on something other than what they see. For example, a button may look like “Submit,” but it activates webcam access, a common hacking technique. Users should be more careful and constantly upgrade their cybersecurity to prevent any opportunity for attackers to exploit their network system with clickjacking and other hacking techniques.

Session Attacks

Session attacks happen when an attacker takes control of an active user session to gain unauthorised access to data. This often involves stealing session tokens, which allow the attacker to impersonate the user. In healthcare settings, this can lead to unauthorised access to sensitive records. Therefore, effective session management and token encryption are essential to protect against such attacks.

SQL Injection Attacks

SQL injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in backend databases by inserting malicious SQL commands through input fields. A common entry point for these cyberattacks is a login form, which can be exploited using various attack vectors and hacking techniques. When successful, hackers can read, modify, or delete data. Network systems with poorly secured portals are especially at risk in such cases.

Credential Reuse Attacks

Users often reuse usernames and passwords across multiple platforms, especially in a remote work environment. If a hacker gains credentials from a low-security site, they can attempt the same on more sensitive services in the portals, increasing the risk of cyberattacks. However, using unique credentials is essential to prevent credential reuse attacks.

Brute Force Attacks

Brute-force attacks involve automated systems trying thousands of password combinations until one works. Simple or commonly used passwords are quickly cracked, making it easy for hackers to gain unauthorised access to user accounts and conduct session hijacking. To prevent this method, you need to use complicated passwords for each account.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

In a Man-in-the-middle attack, the hacker intercepts communication between two parties, often without either party knowing, and captures login credentials transmitted over an unencrypted Wi-Fi network.

Distributed Denial-of-Service Attacks

DDoS attacks are similar to Dos attacks but use multiple systems to flood a target, making mitigation more difficult. They are often used as distractions while other attacks are being executed.

Zero-Day Exploits

Zero-day attack targets unknown vulnerabilities in software that have not yet been patched or disclosed. They’re particularly dangerous because no fix exists when they’re first exploited.

DNS Tunneling

DNS tunnelling hides data in DNS queries to bypass firewalls and filters, potentially exposing sensitive information. Attackers use this to exfiltrate data or control malware remotely. In addition, DNS requests typically aren’t heavily monitored, making this technique harder to detect.

Types of hackers

In addition to different types of hacking, you need to be aware of various kinds of hackers. 

White Hat Hackers

White Hat Hackers, also known as ethical hackers, are highly skilled professionals who help secure systems. Cybersecurity measures play a vital role in the cybersecurity landscape against various cyberattacks. They aim to identify and fix vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. Many cybersecurity firms and large organisations, including hospitals and healthcare providers, depend on their expertise to ensure the security of their systems, providing an essential layer of protection.

Grey Hat hackers

These individuals operate in a legal grey area, often exploiting security best practices to their advantage. Skilled hackers may discover security flaws without permission, but they do not exploit these vulnerabilities for personal gain. Instead, they typically inform the owner or the public about the issues and may sometimes request a fee for their assistance.

Black Hat Hackers

Black Hat Hackers are the classic criminal hacker. They exploit systems for profit, revenge, or political gain. Their actions are illegal and typically result in stolen data, financial loss, or service outages.

Red Hat Hackers

These are vigilante-style hackers who hunt black hats. Rather than reporting them, they retaliate by turning off the attacker’s system. Some people assume that they are the aggressive version of white hats.

Green Hat Hackers

Green hat hackers, often referred to as beginners, are in the early stages of their hacking journey. While their actions may not always significantly impact, their curiosity can sometimes lead to unintended breaches. It underscores the need for constant vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures, even against seemingly harmless actors.

Blue Hat Hackers

Not all hackers hurt an organisation; some promote security best practices and help expose vulnerabilities through detection methods. One is the blue-hat hacker, an external tester hired to find bugs before releasing software. They are not part of the internal team but play an important role in cybersecurity assessments.

Elite Hackers

Elite hackers are skilled professionals who often develop new exploits and techniques before the rest of the world is even aware of vulnerabilities. With their expertise and understanding of the hacker field, they can be referred to as advanced hackers instead of green hat hackers, who are still beginners.

Script Kiddies

In many types of hackers, script kiddies are usually called amateurs who use pre-written tools without fully understanding how they work. Their attacks are generally clumsy but can still cause real damage because hackers not licensed by the law will harm other parties, especially at vulnerable endpoints.

Malicious Insiders

The last type of hacker is a malicious insider, a current or former employee who exploits their access to sabotage or steal personal data. Insiders can access data unlawfully, a significant problem in many organisations.

Devices are most vulnerable to hacking

Not all tech is created equal because some gadgets are easier to compromise, making them a common hacking vector. Here are some examples of devices that have a high potential to be hacked.

Smart devices

Iot devices like smartwatches, heart monitors, and even fridges often lack strong security features. Once breached, they can act as entry points into larger networks.

Webcams

Often targeted for spying or blackmail, webcams can be compromised if unsecured. For the best solution, covering your camera and deactivating it when not in use is good practice to protect your data.

Routers

Default credentials and outdated firmware make routers a common target. Once compromised, attackers can monitor or redirect all network traffic, potentially deploying trojans to exploit the system further.

Email

Email is an app that hackers are prone to using for phishing, malware, and credential harvesting. Various cyber attack vectors can cause you to lose your personal identity information to others. Moreover, a single misclick can lead to a full-scale breach.

Jailbroken phones

By removing manufacturer restrictions, users expose phones to unverified apps and reduce built-in security features, opening the door to malware and surveillance.

Effects and Impact of Hackers

The effects produced by hackers vary from mild risk to high risk.

Financial Loss

Any hacker can undoubtedly lead to financial loss for your organisation, so you must be more careful and keep your network protected and updated. If they have successfully hacked and stolen your information, they generally ask for a hefty fee to return the information.

Identity Theft

Personal identities are confidential, sensitive, and fatal if stolen. The data can be used to open accounts, make claims, or even for phishing.

Data Breaches

With data breaches, sensitive data, financial data, and operational files in organisations can be leaked or sold. This will undoubtedly have a significant impact, especially on economic issues.

Disruption of Services

Having a system with many services can also lead to service disruptions from hackers using various tactics. This can disrupt the operational system and access to services.

Cyber Espionage

Cyber espionage is unauthorised access that collects important information illegally to gain huge profits. It generally steals information from important institutions such as the military and politics. It is a modern form of espionage that uses digital techniques such as malware, spyware, and phishing to exploit vulnerabilities.

Spread of Malware

One compromised system can spread malware across the entire network. Once triggered, this chain reaction is hard to contain.

Prevention From Getting Hacked

Use unique passwords for different accounts

Strong passwords with complex and varied combinations will make it harder for hackers to break into your system. Avoid using the same password in every application to keep all systems more secure.

Software update

Regularly updating and monitoring software is essential to reducing the risk of hacking. Therefore, remember to perform updates to fix vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.

Avoid clicking on ads or strange links

Getting a suspicious link from an untrusted source is one way for hackers to break into your information. Therefore, pay attention to the links you receive and double-check whether the link comes from a trusted person.

HTTPS encryption

To ensure the security of your personal information, it would be best only to enter sensitive information on sites that use HTTPS. It ensures that the data transmitted is encrypted and protected from eavesdroppers.

Change the default username and password on your router and smart devices

Leaving default credentials makes it easy for hackers to gain access. Set strong, custom login credentials as soon as the device is online.

Protect Yourself Against Hacking

Before hackers manage to hack your information, you need to know a few ways to try to prevent this from happening to your organisation.

Install antivirus software

Antivirus software is needed to provide extra protection if an undetected virus is present in your software. Although we have sometimes tried to prevent viruses, they can come at any time in any form.

Download from first-party sources

To secure your software from hacks, stick to verified app stores and official vendor websites. Third-party downloads are often laced with hidden malware that hackers use to compromise systems.

Use a VPN

A virtual private network encrypts your internet traffic, making it harder for hackers to intercept sensitive data, especially when using public Wi-Fi.

Use a password manager

Password managers generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account, making them difficult to hack. 

Do not log in as an admin by default

Use standard user accounts for daily activities. Only log in as an admin when required to limit exposure in case of a breach.

Use two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is necessary for all software and devices to provide an extra layer of security. Users who log in will receive a secondary code that makes it difficult to hack.

Brush up on anti-phishing techniques

To recognise the signs of session hijacking, you must be on the lookout for the latest phishing or scam information. Even one well-crafted email can bypass technical safeguards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The landscape of cyber attacks constantly evolves, with cyber attackers employing various methods and techniques. Organisations and individual users must stay informed and adopt proactive defence strategies to combat these threats effectively. Multiple types of attacks, from phishing schemes to zero-day exploits, are hacking techniques that require tailored responses to mitigate their impact effectively. Awareness of these diverse threats is essential for enhancing cybersecurity against state-sponsored attacks.