You make yourself vulnerable to a cyber attack every time you use connected technology. Knowing what to look out for can help minimize those risks. These seven types of attacks are among the most common ones used by cybercriminals.

1. Phishing

Phishing attacks are a simple and effective way for cybercriminals to access your information. Basically, it involves the attached sending out malicious emails that are disguised as communications from legitimate companies. These will contain a link that takes you to a website, where you are prompted to enter personal information. 

The best way to counter phishing attaches is to be aware of any suspicious emails or requests. If something doesn't seem quite right, go directly to the supposed sender to verify its authenticity instead of clicking a link. Spelling and grammatical errors are common red flags of a phishing attack. 

2. Ransomware 

More people are asking "What is ransomware?" after several high-profile cases in the past few years. In a ransomware attack, the hacker installs malicious software on your system, which then holds it hostage. Attackers may threaten to destroy data or make it publicly available, depending on what type of information they are holding. Vigilance in deciding which websites to visit (avoid anything suspicious or flagged by security software) and installing a high-level firewall can help prevent ransomware attacks. 

3. Password Hacking

Most adults (and many youths) have dozens of passwords they must track and monitor. Unfortunately, that means many people also reuse the same or similar passwords for multiple sites. As a result, anyone with access to your passwords can potentially use it to get into several accounts. Password hacking takes advantage of this fact.

Cybercriminals can use several methods to uncover passwords. Sometimes, they can be intercepted, other times it is a matter of using publicly available information to make educated guesses. Either way, choosing randomly generated or strong passwords can make this type of attack harder to execute. 

4. Spoofing

Spoofing and phishing are very similar, however, there are distinct differences. In spoofing, the criminals do not necessarily rely on you to enter information. Instead, clicking on their link installs malware onto your device. This software can then harvest personal information without you ever becoming aware of it.  

5. Man in the Middle

A man-in-the-middle attack works by getting between two parties and intercepting their communication. Hackers are then able to obtain information shared between the two other parties without their knowledge. MITM attacks are becoming less common thanks to security software used by email providers. However, you put yourself at risk of this type of attack every time you use an unsecured public Wi-Fi connection. 

6. Malware

Like its name implies malware is malicious software that hackers can install onto a network or hardware. This then allows access to various aspects of the system. Ransomware may be the most common, but there are several different types of malware. Some hackers use malware to create persistent access points for future use, while others use it as a way to spy on users. In some cases, it is used to simply disrupt normal operations. 

Malware requires action by a user in order to infect the end target. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to prevent an attack is to use caution when opening links or visiting unfamiliar or untrusted sites. A powerful firewall can also help stop attacks. 

7. Denial of Service

Designed to disrupt operations, a Denial-of-Service attack floods a system with unwanted traffic. This leaves the host unable to process legitimate service requests. Hackers do not directly benefit from this type of attack; however, they may be hired by a business to shut down a competitor.

Increased internet access means that users must be vigilant against threats. Some of the most common examples include password hacking, phishing, spoofing, malware, ransomware, MITM and DoS attacks.