10 Most Common Types of Cyber Attacks in 2023

Cyber attacks are evolving rapidly with advancements in technology, as threat actors exploit new vulnerabilities in:-

• Software
• Networks

The rise of the following sophisticated techniques demonstrates a growing level of complexity:-

• Ransomware
• AI-driven attacks
• Supply chain compromises

Moreover, the expansion of Internet of Things (IoT) devices provides new attack surfaces to the threat actors. 

Since threat actors are continuously adapting, that’s why the researchers recommend that organizations prioritize cybersecurity measures to mitigate evolving cyber threats.

Table of Contents:

Where do cyber attacks occur the most?
Most Common Types of Cyber Attacks in 2023
Malware
Phishing
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
Code Injection Attacks
IoT-Based Attacks
Identity-Based Attacks
Supply Chain Attacks
Spoofing 
Insider Threats
DNS Tunneling

Where do cyber attacks occur the most?

Here below we have mentioned all the top 10 countries of origin for cyber attacks:-

• China: 18.83%
• United States: 17.05%
• Brazil: 5.63%
• India: 5.33%
• Germany: 5.10%
• Vietnam: 4.23%
• Thailand: 2.51%
• Russia: 2.46%
• Indonesia: 2.41%
• Netherlands: 2.20%

Most Common Types of Cyber Attacks in 2023

Here below we have mentioned all the common types of cyber attacks that occurred in 2023:-

• Malware
• Phishing
• Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
• Code Injection Attacks
• IoT-Based Attacks
• Identity-Based Attacks
• Supply Chain Attacks
• Spoofing
• Insider Threats
• DNS Tunneling

Now let’s discuss the common types of cyber attacks in 2023:-

Malware

Malware refers to malicious software designed to harm or exploit computer systems, services, and networks, aiming for data extraction by cybercriminals for financial gain. 

It targets various sensitive information like:-

• Finances
• Healthcare records
• Emails
• Passwords
• Personal identification numbers
• Banking details
• Credit card numbers
• Debit card numbers

Besides this, the malware also targets government and corporate sites as well for the following two key purposes:-

• Data theft
• Operational disruption

Here below, we have mentioned all the types of malware:-

• Viruses
• Ransomware
• Scareware
• Worms
• Spyware
• Trojans
• Adware
• Fileless malware

Phishing

Phishing attacks trick victims for the attacker’s benefit, and it’s been performed mainly via emails, ranging from simple to complex and not only that even Phishing attacks are:-

• Extremely low-cost
• Effective

Attackers mimic trusted sources, using bait-like messages to trick victims. Besides this, Phishing attacks lead to:-

• Malware
• Identity theft
• Data loss
• Targeting personal information
• Targeting business information

Threat actors exploit phishing to access accounts, compromise systems, and initiate major data breaches as well. Phishing often backs harmful actions like on-path and cross-site scripting attacks, usually via email or instant message.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks

Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks disrupt a device’s normal function to make it unavailable. This happens by flooding it with multiple requests, which causes the denial of service to users. 

If the attack comes from various sources like a botnet, then it’s called a DDoS (Distributed denial-of-service) attack. In short, the DoS attacks overload a machine to deny additional requests.

DoS attacks typically fall into 2 categories, and here below, we have mentioned them:-

• Buffer overflow attacks
• Flood attacks

DoS uses one connection, and DDoS deploys multiple sources, often a botnet; however, the attacks share similarities, as the threat actors use one or many sources of malicious traffic.

Code Injection Attacks

Code Injection involves injecting code into an application, and with the help of this attack, threat actors exploit the poor handling of untrusted data. 

Besides this, the lack of proper input/output validation often makes these attacks possible.

Code Injection is unrestricted by injected language functionality, like PHP. In contrast, Command Injection uses existing code to execute commands, often in a shell context.

Vulnerabilities vary in discoverability and exploitation difficulty. While the successful exploits may lead to:-

• Confidentiality loss
• Integrity loss
• Availability loss
• Accountability loss

Code Injection involves injecting code into an application, and with the help of this attack, threat actors exploit the poor handling of untrusted data. 

Besides this, the lack of proper input/output validation often makes these attacks possible.

Code Injection is unrestricted by injected language functionality, like PHP. In contrast, Command Injection uses existing code to execute commands, often in a shell context.

Vulnerabilities vary in discoverability and exploitation difficulty. While the successful exploits may lead to:-

• Confidentiality loss
• Integrity loss
• Availability loss
• Accountability loss

Injection flaws are often found in:-

• SQL
• LDAP
• Xpath
• NoSQL queries
• OS commands
• XML parsers
• SMTP headers
• Program arguments

IoT-Based Attacks

Advancements in the technological world enabled wireless connectivity for several types of smart devices:-

• TVs
• Watches
• Lights

While the Internet of Things (IoT) automates these devices, equipped with sensors to collect and relay data for:-

• Monitoring
• Action

With the growing use and adaptability of IoT, cyber-attacks are actively targeted on connected devices. Though IoT devices enhance daily tasks but bring cybersecurity risks, especially for less-secured gadgets like-

• Smart TVs
• Wearables

Here below, we have mentioned all the common reasons why hackers target IoT devices:-

• Weak passwords
• Unsecured cloud storage
• Unpatched software
• Insecure network connections
• Lack of encryption
• Physical tampering

That’s for the secure operation of your IoT devices, it’s always recommended to stay vigilant and take all the necessary security measures.

Identity-Based Attacks

Nowadays, organizations face frequent cyber threats like Identify-based attacks, which are evolving rapidly and becoming:-

• Complex
• Sophisticated

These types of attacks are targeted by hackers who are actively looking for personal and sensitive data.

In telecom and beyond, Identity-Based Attacks are rising threats with significant consequences. Organizations must defend against various attacks like:-

• Credential stuffing
• Password spraying
• Phishing

While regular password changes and the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) will surely help to prevent these threats effectively.

In total, there are five types of Identity-Based attacks, and here below we have mentioned them:-

• Credential Stuffing
• Golden Ticket Attack
• Kerberoasting
• Man-in-the-Middle MITM Attack
• Silver Ticket Attack

Supply Chain Attacks

Supply chain attack targets an organization’s weak links, exploiting trust in third-party vendors. It’s an island-hopping attack relevant across industries. 

While this attack rising due to new tactics, it tampers with manufacturing processes to cause disruptions by exploiting the flaws in:-

• Hardware
• Software

These types of attacks are hard to detect, as they spread through trusted software, affecting organizations with many customers.

A supply chain attack aims to harm by infiltrating and disrupting a weak link in an organization’s system, often by targeting a vulnerable third-party supplier. Identifying the weakest point allows hackers to concentrate on the main target.

Spoofing

Spoofing fakes trusted sources in emails, calls, or websites, even using technical tricks like IP or DNS spoofing. It’s a sneaky way to:-

• Snatch personal info
• Spread malware
• Dodge controls
• Launch cyber attacks

So, successful attacks mean infected systems, data breaches, and revenue loss, spoiling an organization’s reputation. Traffic rerouting can flood the networks or even direct the users to malicious sites for the following two key illicit purposes:-

• Information theft
• Distribution of malware

Spoofing spans communication methods with varying technical expertise. It executes phishing scams to grab sensitive info.

While here below, we have mentioned the types of Spoofing attacks:-

• Email Spoofing
• Caller ID Spoofing
• Website Spoofing
• IP Spoofing
• ARP Spoofing
• DNS Server Spoofing

Insider Threats

Insider threats arise within an organization involving employees or partners with valid access. Whether intentional or accidental, they endanger the network security, which leads to compromised data integrity.

Besides this, most data breaches result from insider threats, as traditional cybersecurity neglects all the internal risks. 

However, the familiarity insiders have with systems and vulnerabilities gives them an exclusive advantage. Tackling insider threats requires equal severity to external threats in cybersecurity strategies.

Here below, we have mentioned all the types of insider threats:-

• Malicious Insider
• Careless Insider
• Negligent insider
• Compromised insider

DNS Tunneling

DNS Tunneling encodes program data in DNS queries that enable the control of remote servers. 

Besides this, it also demands the following things to fulfill its illicit goals:-

• External network access
• A compromised system
• Control over a domain
• Authoritative server for execution

DNS is crucial for internet navigation, as it interprets the domain names to IP addresses. That’s why organizations trust it, and it’s allowed through firewalls. 

DNS tunneling exploits this trust and uses DNS requests as a command and control channel for malware. Inbound traffic commands the malware, while outbound exfiltrates data. 

The flexibility of DNS allows for carrying sensitive info, making this attack vector simple and effective with various toolkits available.