Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and devastating throughout the years. They can cause major problems to entire nations, companies, and individuals. For example, around 236.1 million ransomware attacks occurred globally in the first half of 2022. However, some cyber attacks are more significant than others. The 5 biggest cyber attacks caused widespread damage and disrupted industries worldwide.
So, in this article, we will discuss the most major digital disasters. We will look into the nature and scale of these attacks. Additionally, we will analyze what impact they had on companies and individuals. Lastly, we will give you recommendations on how to protect yourself against digital calamities.
What are cyber attacks?
Cyber attacks are offensive maneuvers that target various computers, networks, and other devices. Their purpose is to disrupt, steal, or destroy important data. In most cases, they are carried out by individuals or organizations that use various techniques to cause damage. The consequences of these attacks might be dire. For example, people and organizations might suffer financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
Unfortunately, cyber attacks are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated. Malicious actors develop new tactics to swindle out money or crucial information. Therefore, you must stay vigilant and informed about various cyber attack types.
How to protect yourself from cyber attacks?
If you don’t want to be a victim of a cyber attack, there are a few things that you could do. Below, you’ll find tools and tips that will keep you safe:
- Get a VPN. A virtual private network will be your first line of defense if you ever face cyber attacks. It will prevent data leaks and privacy breaches by encrypting your data, hiding your IP, and swapping your whereabouts. Even better if you get a multiple device VPN to protect all of your gadgets.
- Invest in a reliable antivirus. Anti-malware software will scan, detect, and obliterate various online threats. That way, you will mitigate safety risks.
- Utilize a password manager. You should create solid and uncrackable passwords. However, if you have a hard time remembering them, use a trustworthy password manager. It will keep all of your precious information organized, secure, and in one place.
- Don’t press on shady links. Be extremely cautious, and don’t open up any suspicious emails or links from unverified sources. Cybercriminals often use phishing attacks to get what they want.
Types of cyber attacks
There are more than a few types of cyber attacks that online delinquents carry out. The most common digital threats are:
- Malware. One of the most common cyber attacks. Think of viruses, worms, trojan horses, and other types of malicious code. Malware’s purpose is to infiltrate and compromise your software.
- Phishing. Swindlers use this technique to trick you and get your user names, passwords, and other sensitive information. They do so by sending out fake emails, messages, and websites.
- Ransomware. As the name implies, a malicious actor takes your data hostage and requires money in exchange. Businesses and organizations are more likely to suffer from these attacks.
- Social engineering. Cybercriminals take advantage of your trust and swindle out important information or money. If you ever received an email from a Nigerian Prince, stay vigilant and don’t fall for petty tricks.
- Password attacks. The goal is to gain unauthorized access by cracking password protection. Malicious actors often use brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, and password spraying.
5 biggest cyber attacks
Now that you know what digital threats are and what are the most common types, it’s time to take a look at the 5 biggest cyber attacks in history.
Adobe cyber attack
Back in 2013, Adobe fell victim to a cyber attack that resulted in sensitive data leaks. The attackers got unauthorized access to users’ emails, passwords, bank details, and even source code for some of Adobe’s software products. The breach affected over 38 million users and businesses globally.
Cybercriminals used sophisticated techniques like zero-day vulnerabilities to gain entry. In response to the attack, Adobe had to notify affected users, reset their passwords, strengthen encryption & authentication methods, and implement additional security controls. The consequences were dire, as some users faced financial losses and identity thefts. Not to mention, Adobe’s reputation took a massive hit.
WannaCry ransomware cyber attack
WannaCry (or WannaCrypt) was one of the most devastating and widespread ransomware attacks in 2017. It targeted Windows OS, infecting hundreds of thousands of computers in over 150 countries within a few days. Malicious actors demanded crypto in exchange for the decryption key.
This cyber attack caused widespread disruption and shutdowns of critical infrastructure, medical services, and much more. Plus, the financial losses were exponential, and it’s estimated that businesses lost billions of dollars. WannaCry highlighted the importance of regular software patching and updates. Overall, this attack was a wake-up call for organizations and governments to prioritize cybersecurity measures.
Sunburst attack
SolarWinds is a prominent IT infrastructure management software company that was attacked back in 2020. Its software supply chain took a massive hit with a stealth cyber attack called SunBurst. It affected various businesses and organizations, such as the Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, technology companies, and consulting firms.
After the attack, SolarWinds took serious measures instantly. They patched the vulnerable software, conducted forensic investigations, and implemented enhanced security measures. Yet again, the attack highlighted the importance of patching & updating.
Yahoo cyber attack
Yahoo fell victim to cyber attacks too. While it was hit back in 2014, the info about the attack was fully disclosed only 3 years later. Initially, 500 million users were affected. Their emails, passwords, and other sensitive information got leaked. Later, people discovered that an additional 1 billion user accounts were compromised in a separate attack, making it one of the biggest in history.
Yahoo’s reputation plummeted, and the attack resulted in regulatory investigations and class-action lawsuits. Nevertheless, the company took the right measures to deal with the problem. Plus, it showed the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, such as strong password security, encryption, and multi-factor authentication.
Melissa virus
Melissa virus is a historical example of a cyber threat. It first emerged in 1999 and is deemed to be one of the first mass-mailing macro viruses. Melissa was spread through an infected Word document on the Microsoft Outlook email client. When opened, it would automatically replicate itself and send copies of the infected document to the first 50 email addresses.
While it wasn’t a devastating cyber attack, it did cause quite a few problems. It clogged email systems, infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide, and caused millions of dollars in damages due to lost productivity and cleanup efforts.
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