A computer network is a combination of various technical, primarily independent electronic systems (especially computers, but also sensors, actuators, agents and other harmful components, etc.), which enables communication between the individual systems to one another. The goal is sharing of resources such as network printers, servers, media files and databases. Also important is the ability to centrally manage network devices, network users, their permissions and data. This is particularly important today, as it helps in the direct communication between network users (chat, VoIP telephony, etc.)
Data Network Attacks and its Types
According to Study.com, any given threat to a computer system, whether it is hardware, network, or software related, is termed as “security risk.” These threats are inevitable in the digital world and are deemed to exist just because the system exists. They cannot be entirely avoided or fixed easily regardless of the technical advancements in information technology. The important part of network security is to pay close attention to the security of the computer system because without suitable and comprehensive security measures, the threat is set even if the computer system has not been a victim to one. There are no limitations to network attacks; therefore, the security of computer systems is highly important on a regular basis especially because these systems may contain vital information.
Another important factor is that the network security is an integral part of expert Security Studies whether they are individual, collective, economic, political, public or private. If network security is not dealt with significantly private security, network security, state security, national security and every related body, are all considered to be at the risk of cybercrime. Generally, the attack on a computer network is termed as interference on any setup of computer network that initially will examine the settings of network and gather relevant information in an attempt to attack the prevailing available ports or network weaknesses – this may comprise of illegal access to a specific computer environment. Such attacks are called passive attacks.
The other distinct type of network attacks is an active attack, which happens where the committer approaches and either changes, restricts or damages any of networks service or data. The nature of network attacks can either be an external attack or an internal attack. External attacks are when any obnoxious activity executed from any external or unauthorized source, whereas internal attacks are referred to instances when such activity performed from within the organization.
Below we will describe some of the most popular types of data network attacks:
1. Platform Switch
In previous times, network attacks and cyber crimes were only limited to computers but with the passage of time cyber crime, it is now switching towards mobile phones, tablets and VoIP. Due to latest antivirus software and their regular updates, there is very less scope left for the cyber criminals in the computer networks. Therefore, looking after the fact that the other networks such as mobile phones, tablets and VoIP technology are comparatively new, there are still loop holes in terms of security.
2. Social Engineering
Social Engineering is at its heights these days. Everyone is found to be indulged in using social websites to connect with friends or relatives. Scam is the method used by cyber criminals on these websites. Interaction takes place between the criminal and the potential victim in this method that attracts the victim to download specific malware or leaking out some of its personal information that is later on used by the cybercriminal for his/her benefit.
3. Phishing attack
Phishing is the kind of network attack that employs methods of social engineering to take private data – the most general objective of network attacks like these is to target victim’s bank details and authorizations via emails.
4. Social Phishing
Social Phishing is the type of network attacks emerged during the recent years with the advent of social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. The objective of social phishing remains the same as that of general phishing attack, which is to access personal and important user information, however now using social media websites.
5. Botnets
Botnets partnered with other programs are also heavily used in cyber crime. This method of network attack usually involves a cyber-criminal charging an amount for his work from his client where a partner program is used to distribute the malware. Moreover, these techniques are organized on websites created for those involved in criminal activity to communicate. Botnets often contain large amounts of malicious programs and are designed to infect computers by downloading programs on the computer asked by the customer paying for the job. These bots can hide the downloaded program on the computer and carry out other tasks at the same time. One bot known as the notorious TDSS spread Trojan bankers, DNS changers and rogue AV to infect computer systems.
6. Whaling
Whaling is another type of network attack which intended to target senior employees within an organization, with the objective to obtain sensitive information. Cyber criminals send emails as if they come from a trusted source to obtain confidential information that can be used against the company.
7. Port scanning
Port scanning is a type of network attack where a person sends numerous requests to an array of network ports to a directed network in an attempt to access the available ports to attack a specific network. The available and active ports permit the attacker to access any recognized weaknesses in network services linked to particular network ports. This type of network attack can be used by the malevolent attackers in order to compromise the network security.
Spoofing, network sniffing and denial of service attacks are other common types of network attacks.
