Know Your Cyber Threat Vocabulary

DDoS. Distributed Denial of Service attacks are designed to knock a network offline. Usually, the attack takes advantage of multiple compromised systems to cause a system-wide shutdown. DDoS attacks are often used as decoys to distract system administrators from noticing other suspicious activity, like a data breach.

Phishing. One of the most common types of cyber attacks. An email appears to come from a verified sender. When the recipient opens the email and clicks on a link or an attachment, malware gets to work capturing and exporting data. Phishing scams may also introduce a ransomware attack.

Ransomware. A software attack that either locks the targeted user from data or threatens to publish it unless a ransom is paid. Sophisticated ransomware attacks use a technique called cryptoviral extortion to encrypt data, making files virtually impossible to recover without a decryption key.

Whaling. A more sophisticated style of phishing, whaling attacks target senior management, such as CEOs or CFOs, who have administrative privileges and access to valuable data like company financial or personnel information.

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