Digital tools make work faster and life easier—but they also expand the number of ways attackers can get in. Most incidents don’t start with “elite hacking.” They start with predictable openings: stolen credentials, phishing, and unpatched systems.
Below is a quick breakdown of common attack types—and the controls that reduce risk the most.
What is a cyberattack?
A cyberattack is any unauthorized attempt to access, disrupt, or steal from a system, network, or account. The outcomes range from a compromised inbox to a ransomware event that halts operations and damages trust.
The volume is real: the FBI’s IC3 reported 859,532 complaints in 2024 and reported losses over $16 billion.
The most common types of cyberattacks
Malware
Malware is malicious software (ransomware, spyware, trojans, etc.) used to steal data, encrypt files, or take control of devices—often delivered through email, unsafe downloads, or compromised websites.
Phishing
Phishing uses fake emails/texts to trick people into clicking links, opening attachments, or giving up credentials. It remains one of the most reported cybercrimes.
Password attacks
Attackers guess, crack, or reuse leaked passwords (credential stuffing). Weak or reused passwords turn one breach into many.
Man-in-the-Middle (MITM)
An attacker intercepts traffic between two parties—often through insecure Wi-Fi or compromised networks—to steal data or hijack sessions.
SQL Injection
Attackers inject malicious input into web forms to extract or manipulate database data. OWASP recommends parameterized queries and input handling as core defenses.
Denial-of-Service (DoS/DDoS)
Attackers flood systems with traffic until they slow down or fail. HTTP floods are designed to overwhelm a server with requests it can’t handle.
Insider threats
Misuse of access—intentional or accidental—by someone inside the organization (employee, contractor, vendor).
Cryptojacking
Attackers hijack computing resources to mine cryptocurrency, often showing up as slow performance and high CPU usage.
Zero-day exploits
Attackers exploit a vulnerability before a patch is available or applied.
Watering hole attacks
Attackers compromise websites a target group frequently visits, then infect visitors silently.
How to prevent cyberattacks
If you only improve a few things this quarter, start here. These controls cut risk across multiple attack types.
1) Lock down identity (this is the front door)
Most attacks either steal a password or trick someone into giving one away. Protecting identity is the highest-leverage move.
Do this:
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Require MFA on email, admin accounts, remote access, and finance tools
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Move high-risk accounts to phishing-resistant MFA (passkeys/FIDO2/security keys). CISA recommends phishing-resistant MFA as the most secure option.
2) Stop “password rotation” and start “password strength + compromise response”
Routine password changes often lead to weaker behavior (predictable patterns, reuse). NIST advises verifiers should not require arbitrary periodic password changes, but should require changes when there’s evidence of compromise.
Do this:
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Use a password manager and require unique passwords
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Monitor for compromised credentials
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Enforce MFA so a stolen password isn’t enough
For a practical take on what to do, read our guidance here.
3) Patch consistently—and prioritize what’s exposed
Vulnerability exploitation is a major initial access path alongside credential abuse.
Do this:
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Maintain an asset inventory (devices, apps, cloud tools)
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Patch on schedule—and accelerate patching for critical vulnerabilities
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Pay special attention to internet-facing systems (VPN, firewall, remote access)
If you’re not sure what to fix first, start with a risk-based plan.
4) Treat email as an attack surface, not a communication tool
If phishing is a top problem, email security can’t be “good enough.”
Do this:
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Use modern email protection and tune it
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Train users with short, recurring sessions + simulations
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Make reporting easy (one-click “Report Phish”)
Email protection and user training work best when they’re reinforced with monitoring and response.
5) Protect endpoints like they’re production systems
Endpoints are where people click, authenticate, and download—so endpoints become the easiest foothold.
Do this:
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Use EDR/XDR (behavior-based detection, not just signatures)
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Remove local admin rights where possible
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Standardize devices and enforce configuration baselines
Endpoint visibility and control matter in every environment.
6) Back up for recovery, then prove you can restore
Backups are only valuable if they restore fast and clean. CISA promotes the 3-2-1 backup approach (three copies, two media types, one offsite).
For ransomware readiness, CISA’s ransomware guidance is a solid baseline for prevention and response planning.
Do this:
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Keep an offsite and/or immutable backup copy
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Protect backup credentials separately
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Test restores on a schedule (quarterly at minimum)
If you need to formalize backup and recovery, start here.
7) Monitor and respond (prevention won’t be perfect)
Even strong controls miss things. What separates a close call from a major incident is detection + response speed.
Do this:
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Centralize logging where it matters (identity, endpoints, email, critical servers)
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Alert on suspicious behavior (impossible travel, new MFA devices, mass downloads)
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Have an incident response plan people can actually follow
Where MSG fits
We help teams turn “a list of security tips” into an operating model: secure the identity layer, harden endpoints, patch consistently, verify backups, and monitor continuously. That’s what lowers risk in the real world—and it’s what keeps small issues from becoming expensive incidents.
If you want, we can start with:
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a quick risk review to identify your biggest exposures, or
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a security program that includes ongoing monitoring and response coverage.