Cyber Attack - What is a Cyber Attack - Cyber Security Tutorial

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
- Alter,
- Block,
- Delete
Manipulate or steal the data held within these systems.
Any individual or group can launch a Cyber Attack from anywhere by using one or more various Attack strategies.
People who carry out Cyber Attacks are generally regarded as Cyber Criminals
Government-sponsored groups of computer experts also launch Cyber Attacks. They're identified as nation-state attackers

Who is behind Cyber Attacks ?

Criminal organizations, state actors and private persons can launch cyberattacks against enterprises. One way to classify cyberattack risks is by outsider versus insider threats.

Insider threats are users who have authorized and legitimate access to a company's assets and abuse them either deliberately or accidentally. They include:
- Employees careless of security policies and procedures
- Disgruntled current or former employees
- Business partners, clients, contractors or suppliers with system access

Threat actors use various techniques to launch cyber attacks, depending in large part on whether they're attacking a targeted or an untargeted entity.

Where the bad actors are trying to break into as many devices or systems as possible,
They generally look for vulnerabilities in software code that will enable them to gain access without being detected or blocked.
They might employ a Phishing Attack, emailing large numbers of people with Socially engineered messages crafted to entice recipients to click a link that will download malicious code.

The threat actors are going after a specific organization, and the methods used vary depending on the attack's objectives.
Hackers also use spear-phishing campaigns in a targeted attack, crafting emails to specific individuals
who, if they click included links, would download malicious software designed to subvert the organization's technology or the sensitive data it holds.