Cyber attacks have never been so sophisticated in 2024.
This year, hackers are redoubling their ingenuity to break into corporate systems, steal sensitive data and cripple critical infrastructures. Whether you’re an SME or a major corporation, no one is immune to these threats.
In this article, we offer an overview of the 8 most common attacks and concrete ways to protect yourself against them.
Phishing attack: phishing remains one of the most feared attacks
The phishing attack is distinguished by its simplicity and effectiveness. It involves using fraudulent e-mails, SMS messages or websites to trick users into believing they are interacting with a legitimate source, such as their bank or employer. Once sensitive information (passwords, bank details) has been entered, it is directly retrieved by cybercriminals.
Recent examples
In 2023, many companies fell victim to targeted phishing campaigns. These attacks cost millions of euros in data loss and system downtime. One of the most high-profile campaigns targeted multinationals with fake, official-looking e-mails from service providers.
How can I protect myself?
One of the best ways of combating phishing is to regularly sensitize teams to the different forms these attacks can take. The use of anti-phishing filtering software, combined with manual checks, also helps minimize risks. It is also advisable to always check URLs and avoid clicking on unsolicited links.
At Infologo, we offer our customers a micro-learning format with Riot Security training. Through attractive 3 to 5 minute formats, employees are made aware of the basics of cybersecurity. They are also put into real-life situations.
Ransomware: your data becomes currency for cybercriminals
Ransomware is one of the most destructive attacks on businesses. This type of malware encrypts all data on a system, making it inaccessible to its owners. Hackers then demand a ransom in exchange for a decryption key. Refusal to pay can result in the permanent loss of data or the public release of sensitive information.
Impact on companies
The consequences are often disastrous: loss of critical data, business interruption for days or even weeks, not to mention the impact on the company’s image. The cost of these attacks often far exceeds the ransom demanded.
Defense strategies
To limit the risks, it is essential to implement regular, automated backups, ideally stored offline or in isolated environments. Companies must also invest in security solutions that detect suspicious ransomware behavior, and ensure that their systems are constantly updated.
Discover our security solutions.
Denial of service (DoS) attacks: when systems collapse under overload
Denial of service attacks involve overloading a company’s servers or networks to the point of making it impossible to process legitimate requests.
As a result, online services are inaccessible, which can bring business to a standstill.
Recent examples
DoS attacks, sometimes orchestrated by botnets, target businesses of all sizes. In 2023, several online sales platforms were affected by this type of attack, resulting in significant financial losses during periods of high demand.
What are the solutions?
Setting up firewalls dedicated to DoS attacks, using intrusion detection systems (IDS) and distributing loads over several servers (distributed servers) are effective approaches to minimizing the risks of such an attack.
Man-in-the-middle: spying on communications with complete discretion
This attack consists of discreetly intercepting communications between two parties. The hacker infiltrates the communication without the users noticing, gaining access to the data exchanged or modifying it to his or her advantage.
Associated risks
Hackers can steal sensitive information such as login credentials, financial data or manipulate online transactions. Companies operating in the financial sector are often targeted by this type of attack.
Preventive measures
To protect against such intrusions, it is advisable to encrypt communications using secure protocols such as HTTPS or TLS. Using a VPN for remote connections also helps reduce risks.
SQL injection: exploiting database vulnerabilities
SQL injection is an attack method that exploits flaws in database queries to gain access to sensitive information. By inserting malicious code into an SQL query, the hacker can extract, modify or delete data.
Examples of attacks
Some companies have found themselves with their entire database exposed following an SQL injection attack, affecting user confidentiality.
Prevention
Developers should take care to validate and clean up all user input before it is used in SQL queries. The use of prepared queries and the implementation of vulnerability detection tools also help guard against this threat.
Cross-site scripting (xss): malicious scripts at the heart of websites
XSS allows a hacker to inject malicious scripts into a website viewed by other users. These scripts can be used to steal information, hijack sessions or redirect users to malicious sites.
Impact on users
Personal information and login sessions can be compromised. Users often end up interacting with pages whose content has been altered without their knowledge.
Protection against XSS
Developers need to integrate security measures into their websites, such as systematically validating user input and using strict content control policies (Content Security Policy).
Zero-day exploits: flaws unknown to developers
Zero-Day attacks exploit vulnerabilities in software or systems before developers are even aware of their existence. These vulnerabilities can be used to penetrate systems without leaving any visible traces, before a patch is released.
Famous examples
Some of the world’s biggest attacks have been carried out using Zero-Days, such as the infamous Stuxnet, which targeted industrial infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies
A reactive update program is essential. The use of proactive monitoring solutions that identify suspicious behavior linked to potential Zero-Day attacks is also recommended.
DNS spoofing: hijacking users without their knowledge
DNS Spoofing enables hackers to redirect users to malicious sites by manipulating DNS requests. These users think they’re visiting a legitimate site, but end up on a fake one created by the hacker.
Consequences
Theft of personal or financial data, compromised accounts and fake e-commerce sites are among the most frequent consequences.
Safety measures
To protect against this attack, we recommend the use of DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions), which adds a layer of security to DNS requests. Checking the SSL/TLS certificates of Web sites also ensures that you are interacting with an authentic site.
Conclusion: vigilance as the first line of defense
These cyberthreats demonstrate that cybersecurity must be at the heart of every company’s concerns. Prevention, team awareness, the adoption of advanced security solutions and the implementation of best practices must become reflexes. Protecting your data means guaranteeing the continuity of your business in an increasingly hostile digital environment.
If you’d like to receive support for your company’s cybersecurity needs, contact us today.
