Cybercriminals take advantage of cyberattack vectors to bypass your basic security defenses. These vectors fall into several categories, each of which uses a different approach to compromise your system’s security.
In this post, we’ll take you through some of the most common vectors of attacks and the countermeasures you can take to effectively combat these threats.
What Are the Vectors of a Cyberattack?
Attack vectors, or threat vectors, are means and pathways that cybercriminals take to infiltrate your computer or network server. They are intentional threats and require some planning and analysis before execution.
The intent is to gain unauthorized access to a computer and deliver a payload of malicious code or malware program, thereby compromising data and network security. As a result of the access, attackers can steal sensitive information and extort money from the victim.
How Do Cybercriminals Exploit Attack Vectors?
Cybercriminals leverage system vulnerabilities and exploit the human element to gain unauthorized access to a desired system or network. The attack vectors they employ mostly fall into the following two categories:
Passive Attacks: These are attacks aimed at gaining access to a system without affecting system resources. Passive attacks include phishing, URL hijacking, and other social engineering-based attacks. Active Attacks: Active attacks attempt to gain access to a system and alter its resources and operations. These attacks exploit unpatched vulnerabilities and include email spoofing, malware, and ransomware.
Malicious hackers use active and passive cyberattack vectors to access a system and accomplish their criminal goals. The exploitation strategies for both all the threat vectors mostly remain the same:
The attackers inspect and analyze the potential target for vulnerabilities. They use vulnerability scanning and social engineering techniques to find security pitfalls. Once the vulnerability has been pinpointed, hackers select their tools and identify the possible threat vectors. The attackers intrude the victim’s system and insert code or malicious software. Finally, the attackers steal information or use the system’s resources to achieve their goals.
The above exploitation strategies may seem straightforward, but attackers can engineer them in countless ways to carry out their nefarious designs.
5 Common Cyberattack Vectors
It’s important to know the attacker and the tools in their arsenal before you can fight back. To this end, we’ve compiled a list of five attack vectors commonly used by cybercriminals to exploit your system vulnerabilities.
1. Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, is a blanket term that refers to any intrusive program (script or code) designed to exploit your device. Malware is a favorite tool for attackers because it’s easy to use and highly effective.
Cybercriminals use a variety of methods to exploit a vulnerability and insert malware into your system. Most methods typically involve the user clicking a dangerous link to open an attachment or download a risky software. Once inside the system, malware can wreak all kinds of havoc, including:
Monitoring your keystrokes. Blocking access to essential files and components. Altering confidential data on your computer. Transmitting sensitive information to the attacker’s computer. Rendering the system completely inoperable.
Types of Malware
Ransomware: A specialized malware that encrypts your files and limits access to data unless you pay a ransom. By the end of 2019, hackers had made over $11. 9 billion in ransom payments, and this number was projected to reach $20 billion by the end of 2020. Trojan Horse: Trojans are ostensibly harmless programs hidden in email or file attachments. Once you download the program or click the attachment, the hidden malware gets into your system and executes its assigned task. They are primarily used to launch immediate attacks but can also create backdoors for future attacks. Spyware: Spyware is a program that monitors your internet activity without your knowledge. The hacker spies on sensitive information and tracks your login credentials to gain a foothold into your system. Spyware is mainly used to obtain account passwords, credit card numbers, and banking information.
Countermeasures:
Keep your operating system up-to-date Avoid opening suspicious URLs or email attachments from unknown users Do not download files and plug-ins from suspicious websites Never give administrative privileges to software unless you fully trust the source
2. Phishing
Phishing attacks are malicious emails, calls, or text messages that trick users into giving up their account credentials. The sender masquerades as a reputable entity and lures users into providing sensitive information, including credit card details, intellectual property, and passwords.
According to Verizon’s DBI Report, 30% of phishing emails are opened by users, and 12% of those users even click on the malicious attachment.
Types of Phishing:
Spear Phishing: Spear phishing attacks target a particular individual or organization for financial gains, trade secrets or intelligence. These attacks are likely carried out by hackers having enough knowledge about the victim. Whale Phishing: Whale phishing attacks target high profile individuals such as CEOs and CFOs. These attacks are aimed at stealing sensitive data from individuals who have unlimited access to vital information.
Countermeasures:
Enable two-factor authentication for all of your accounts. Pay close attention to the details in an email, including spellings, syntax, and logos. Never click on a link within an email that asks for login credentials. Verify the email sender by calling the organization or directly visiting their website.
Read More: How to Protect Yourself From Extortion Phishing Scams
3. DDoS Attacks
Cybercriminals frequently use Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against network resources. The aim is to flood a server or website with extraneous messages and traffic requests and exhaust its resources. DDoS attacks can either crash or cripple the functionality of the target for a period of time.
Countermeasures:
Use DDoS-prevention services offered by hosting companies. Employ CDN (Content Delivery Network) solutions.
Read More: How Can You Protect Yourself Against a DDoS Attack?
4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
XSS is an injection attack in which a hacker injects a malicious script or code into a website’s content. In XSS attacks, the website itself is not the target. Instead, the aim is to execute the malicious script written in languages like JavaScript, Flash, and HTML in the users’ browser.
Cross-site scripting attacks allow the attackers to steal cookies, enabling them to hijack any information that a user sends to the website. The information may include user’s credentials, credit card details, and other sensitive data.
Countermeasures:
Never accept third-party cookies. Be wary of user input on web pages.
5. Brute-Force Attacks
A brute-force attack is a cryptographic hack where cybercriminals use the trial-and-error method to guess your login information. In a brute-force attack, the hackers guess possible combinations of passwords and use words from the dictionary until they successfully log in.
These attacks are usually launched with automated tools and botnets where thousands of passwords are entered within seconds.
Countermeasures:
Use strong passwords. Implement account lockout after multiple failed login attempts. Use reCAPTCHA to block automated submission.
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy, and Win the Battle
In the Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote: Know thyself, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories. This timeless lesson from the Chinese military genius rings true even in the modern cybersecurity theater.
To stay ahead of the bad actors, you need to understand your vulnerabilities and how cybercriminals can exploit them to breach your security. With sound knowledge of the most common attack vectors and the right tools to combat them, you can survive this never-ending battle against cyberattacks.
