Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — As the digital world continues to evolve, technological advancements have made daily tasks easier and more efficient. However, technologies also pose various types of cyber attacks targeting both personal data and critical infrastructure.
A report from cybersecurity monitoring account FalconFeeds has revealed a significant surge in cyberattacks across the ASEAN region throughout 2024, with Indonesia emerging as the hardest-hit nation.
Between January and August 2024, a total of 1,594 cyberattacks targeted critical sectors across Southeast Asia. Indonesia bore the brunt of these incidents, highlighting major vulnerabilities in its digital infrastructure, which remains susceptible to cyber threats.
According to data from Indonesia’s National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN), the country has experienced an exponential increase in cyberattacks annually. In 2022 alone, BSSN recorded over 850 million cyberattack attempts.
However, the spike in attacks in 2024 marks an alarming escalation, driven largely by a rise in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, data breaches, and website defacement campaigns.
The growing frequency and sophistication of these cyber threats underscore the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures and regional cooperation to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data in ASEAN nations.
These cyberattacks not only compromise sensitive data but can also cripple systems and demand hefty ransoms, posing serious risks to social, economic, and political stability. Understanding the most common types of cyberattacks is essential for individuals and organizations to safeguard against these threats.
Here’s various types of cyber attacks that are commonly used in cyber crime.
- Phishing
One of the most common attacks, phishing involves cybercriminals posing as trusted entities via fake emails to steal personal information. Always be cautious of suspicious messages. - Malware
Malware is malicious software designed to damage systems and steal information. Trojan Horse, a common type, disguises itself as legitimate software while secretly compromising your device. - Ransomware
Ransomware locks your data and demands payment to restore access. Regular data backups are essential to mitigate this threat. - SQL Injection
Attackers insert malicious code into web applications to extract sensitive database information. Robust database security is critical. - Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
DDoS attacks overwhelm websites with fake traffic, rendering them inaccessible. - Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cybercriminals inject malicious scripts into trusted websites, allowing them to steal user data. - Man-in-the-Middle (MITM)
In MITM attacks, hackers intercept communication between two parties to steal or manipulate information. - Trojan Horse
This attack uses disguised malicious software to gain control over systems. - Drive-by Download
Malware automatically downloads onto devices when visiting compromised websites, often without user knowledge. - Password Attacks
Hackers attempt to crack passwords using various techniques, often exploiting weak or reused passwords. - Credential Stuffing
Hackers use stolen credentials from previous breaches to access accounts on multiple platforms. - Insider Threats
Disgruntled or careless employees can pose significant security risks by mishandling or stealing sensitive data. - Zero-Day Exploit
These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in software before developers can release a patch. - Session Hijacking
Hackers take over active user sessions to gain unauthorized access to accounts. - Eavesdropping (Sniffing)
Cybercriminals intercept unencrypted network traffic to steal sensitive information. - Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
This attack tricks users into performing unwanted actions on trusted websites. - Brute Force Attack
Hackers use automated tools to guess passwords or encryption keys through trial and error. - Watering Hole Attack
Attackers infect frequently visited websites to compromise targeted users. - Social Engineering
This technique exploits human psychology to manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information. - Botnet Attacks
Hackers use a network of infected devices to launch large-scale cyberattacks.
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Cybersecurity awareness and proactive defense measures are crucial in this era of escalating cyber threats. As digital infrastructure becomes more integral to daily life, protecting it from various types of cyber attacks must remain a top priority for individuals, organizations, and governments alike.
(Raidi/Agung)