-
A cyber attack is any attempt to gain unauthorized access to a
computer, computing system or computer network with the intent to cause
damage. Cyber attacks aim to disable, disrupt, destroy or control
computer systems or to alter, block, delete, manipulate or steal the
data held within these systems.
- A cyber attack can be launched from anywhere by any individual or group using one or more various attack strategies.
-
People who carry out cyber attacks are generally regarded as
cybercriminals. Often referred to as bad actors, threat actors and
hackers, they include individuals who act alone, drawing on their
computer skills to design and execute malicious attacks. They can also
belong to a criminal syndicate, working with other threat actors to find
weaknesses or problems in the computer systems -- called
vulnerabilities -- that can be exploited for criminal gain.
-
Government-sponsored groups of computer experts also launch cyber
attacks. They're identified as nation-state attackers, and they have
been accused of attacking the information technology (IT) infrastructure
of other governments, as well as nongovernment entities, such as
businesses, nonprofits and utilities.
❇️ Why do cyber attacks happen?
Cyber attacks are designed to cause damage. They can have various objectives, including the following :
Financial
gain : Most cyber attacks today, especially those against commercial
entities, are launched by cybercriminals for financial gain. These
attacks often aim to steal sensitive data, such as customer credit card
numbers or employee personal information, which the cybercriminals then
use to access money or goods using the victims' identities.
Disruption
and revenge : Bad actors also launch attacks specifically to sow chaos,
confusion, discontent, frustration or mistrust. They could be taking
such action as a way to get revenge for acts taken against them. They
could be aiming to publicly embarrass the attacked entities or to damage
the organizations' reputation. These attacks are often directed at
government entities but can also hit commercial entities or nonprofit
organizations.
Nation-state attackers are behind some of these
types of attacks. Others, called hacktivists, might launch these types
of attacks as a form of protest against the targeted entity; a secretive
decentralized group of internationalist activists known as Anonymous is
the most well known of such groups.
Cyberwarfare : Governments
around the world are also involved in cyber attacks, with many national
governments acknowledging or suspected of designing and executing
attacks against other countries as part of ongoing political, economic
and social disputes. These types of attacks are classified as
cyberwarfare.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment