Types of Cyber Attacks & What They Are

Cyber threats are growing faster than ever, and they’re no longer aimed solely at large corporations. Today, small and medium-sized businesses are among the most common targets, often because attackers assume they have fewer security measures and limited IT resources.

Understanding the most common types of cyber attacks is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your business, your data, and your reputation.

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing is the most common, and often the most successful, type of cyber attack. These scams usually arrive via email but can also appear through text messages, social media, or fake websites.

Phishing messages are designed to trick users into clicking malicious links, entering login details, downloading harmful attachments, or even sending money directly to scammers. They often appear to come from trusted sources such as banks, suppliers, HMRC, or internal colleagues.

2. Malware Attacks

Malware is a broad term that includes viruses, trojans, spyware, and worms. Malware can enter systems through downloads, infected USB drives, compromised websites, or malicious email attachments.

Once installed, malware can steal sensitive data, damage systems, monitor activity, or create backdoors for further attacks.

3. Ransomware

Ransomware is one of the most disruptive cyber threats facing businesses today. It encrypts files and systems, locking users out and demanding payment to restore access.

Without reliable backups, many small businesses feel pressured to pay, making ransomware one of the most financially damaging types of attack.

4. DDoS Attacks

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack overwhelms a website or system with traffic, causing slow performance or complete outages. These attacks are particularly damaging for customer-facing platforms, online services, and e-commerce websites.

5. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

This type of attack occurs when a hacker secretly intercepts communication between two parties. It often happens on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks and can lead to stolen passwords, personal information, or financial data.

6. Password Attacks

Cybercriminals use automated tools to crack weak passwords or reuse credentials stolen in previous data breaches. Once access is gained, attackers can steal data, lock accounts, or move deeper into systems.

7. Insider Threats

Not all threats come from outside the business. Employees can unintentionally expose systems through weak passwords, personal email use, or unauthorised software downloads. In rare cases, insider threats may be deliberate.

How to Protect Your Business

Strong cybersecurity requires a multi-layered approach. This includes using strong, unique passwords with multi-factor authentication, training staff to spot phishing attempts, keeping systems updated, deploying managed antivirus and firewalls, and backing up data daily.

How CapNet Helps

At CapNet, we protect businesses from every angle. Our cybersecurity solutions combine monitoring, prevention, and rapid response to defend against modern threats, helping your business stay secure, compliant, and resilient in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.