System Threats

System Threats

1. Brute force attack

   • When an attacker tries many passwords with the hope of eventually guessing correctly. It works by calculating every possible combination that could make up a password and testing it to see if it is correct.
     • The effects are:Theft of data. Access to corporate and private computer systems.

2. Data Interception

   • An attack that works by making a website or network grind to a halt. It does this by flooding it with useless network communications, such as repeated login requests.
     • The effects are:Discovering username and password credentials. Gaining access to systems. Disclosure of corporate data. Theft of data.

3. SQL Injection attack

   • An attack that occurs when a database or website form asks a user for an input, like their username. The hacker types in programming code which runs and can then control or change the data in the database.
     • The effects are:Contents of the database can be output, revealing data that otherwise would be hidden. Data in the database can be amended and deleted. New rogue records can be added

4. Malware

   • An attack that works by making a website or network grind to a halt. It does this by flooding it with useless network communications, such as repeated login requests.
     • The effects are:The computer may crash, reboot spontaneously or slow down without any logical explanation. When a worm infects a computer, the internet connection may become slow as the worm searches online for other computers to infect. Files may be deleted, become corrupt or encrypted. However, the worst symptoms of malware are often the ones that you do not see. Malware might be designed to record the keys that you press on your keyboard, for example, creating a text log that your computer sends to a hacker periodically. The hacker then scans the text log, looking for passwords that he can use to access your email or bank accounts.

5. Denial of service attack

   • An attack that works by making a website or network grind to a halt. It does this by flooding it with useless network communications, such as repeated login requests.
     • The effects are:Revenue losses: downtime affects profits. Based on industry surveys, the average cost of downtime is over £4000/minute .Productivity Loss: when critical network systems are shut down, your workforce’s productivity comes to a halt. Reputation Damage: your brand suffers if customers can’t access your site or become casualties of a data breach.

6. Phishing

   • An attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords or bank details. It is typically carried out by email or instant messaging, and it often directs users to enter personal information at a fake website.
     • The effects are:Accessing a victim’s account and withdraw money or purchase merchandise or services. Open new bank or credit-card accounts in a victim’s names, and use the new account to cash illegitimate checks or purchase merchandise.Gaining access high-value corporate data. Financial services can blacklist institutions, resulting in reputational damage.