What is an Attack?
An attack refers to a deliberate, hostile action or action taken to cause harm, damage, or disrupt a system, organization, individual, or entity. Attacks can come in various forms, such as cyber attacks, physical attacks, social engineering attacks, and more.
Types of Attacks
- Cyber Attacks: These attacks target computer systems, networks, and data, aiming to steal, destroy, or alter information.
- Physical Attacks: This includes physical violence, burglary, vandalism, or any other physical action intended to harm a person or property.
- Social Engineering Attacks: These attacks rely on psychological manipulation to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security.
Examples of Attacks
One example of a cyber attack is a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, where a network is flooded with an overwhelming amount of traffic, rendering it unusable. Physical attacks can include assaults, break-ins, or property damage, while social engineering attacks might involve phishing emails or phone scams.
Case Studies
In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack infected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries, causing widespread disruption and financial losses. Another notable case is the 2013 Target data breach, where hackers stole credit card information from over 40 million customers.
Statistics on Attacks
According to a report by IBM Security, the average cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million. The same report also found that phishing attacks were the most common type of cyber attack, representing 36% of all incidents.
