Cyberattack Types

Today, cyberattacks have become not just a technical problem but a real threat to businesses, government institutions, and ordinary users. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report “Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025,” 72% of surveyed organizations reported an increase in cyber risks.

Cybercriminals are constantly improving their methods, exploiting software vulnerabilities and the human factor. To effectively protect data and systems, it is important to understand cyberattack types that exist, how they work, and why even the smallest mistake can lead to serious losses. This article examines the main types and explains how to protect your business from them.

What is a cyberattack?

A cyberattack is a deliberate action by one or more malicious actors (ranging from individual hackers to organized groups or even state entities) aimed at gaining unauthorized access, modifying, destabilizing, destroying, or blocking digital resources (data, networks, systems, devices).

Attacks can target companies, governments, institutions, or even private individuals. There is a common belief that only large organizations suffer from cyberattacks, but in reality, hackers are increasingly targeting small businesses and individual users’ computers.

The consequences of cyberattacks go beyond data loss – they include reputational damage, disruption of business processes, breakdown of supply chains, threats to critical infrastructure, and even participation in hybrid conflicts between nations.

The level of attack automation is increasing: attackers use botnets, scanners, and mass exploitation tools. Infrastructure scanning occurs at speeds of tens of thousands of attempts per second.

Classifications of cyberattacks

Cyberattacks can be categorized according to four criteria:

• Purpose (why the attack is carried out),
• Method/vector of impact (how the attack is executed),
• Source of the threat (who is attacking),
• Level of complexity (how sophisticated the attack is).

1. Cyberattack types by purpose

This approach classifies attacks based on motivation – why hackers carry them out. Such classification helps to understand the attacker’s ultimate goal and prioritize defense measures according to the level of risk.

Financial gain

This is one of the most common motivations – when an attacker seeks money directly (theft, extortion) or indirectly (commercial data, payment cards, etc.). Examples include ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns aimed at stealing banking credentials, or breaches of payment systems.

Cyber espionage

Here, the goal is not money but information: commercial, technological, or military secrets, research data, competitor information, or strategic projects. This includes attacks on government agencies, theft of project documentation, or research results.

Sabotage

In this case, hackers aim not merely to steal money or data but to disable systems, destroy infrastructure, and cause disruption. Examples include computer viruses targeting power grids, transport, or media (e.g., the Stuxnet virus, DDoS attacks on energy networks, or destructive malware such as wipers).

Hacktivism (political/ideological motivation)

Cyberattacks are driven by protest, ideology, or the desire to demonstrate power or influence. The goal is to make a statement, intimidate, or draw attention to a specific issue. Examples include DDoS attacks on government or corporate websites (defacement or DDoS attacks by groups like Anonymous, Killnet, and others).

Fun/ego

This category includes cyberattacks carried out without material or political motivation – out of curiosity, excitement, or a desire for recognition. These can include hacking popular websites “for the challenge,” posting prank messages, or showing off technical skills.

2. Cyberattack types by source of threat

This classification is based on who carries out the attack. It helps assess the motives, resources, and typical behavioral profile of the threat actors.

3. Cyberattack types by method of impact

This classification describes how and through which channels an incident occurs. Understanding potential attack vectors helps plan countermeasures specifically for the surfaces that hackers can exploit.

Social engineering

The human factor is one of the weakest points in cybersecurity. Many attackers prefer not to hack hardware or networks directly but instead exploit trust and human error. There are numerous tools for this: phishing emails, impersonation of employees or “support” calls (vishing), or dropping infected media devices (baiting).

Technical cyberattacks

The hacker exploits vulnerabilities in software, operating systems, or devices. For example, an unpatched server or a software flaw. These attacks use exploits, buffer overflows, rootkits, or trojans to gain unauthorized access.

Network attacks

These attacks target network infrastructure and protocols: DDoS (Denial of Service), MITM (Man-in-the-Middle), ARP spoofing, DNS hijacking, or the compromise of network devices. Their goal is to disrupt communication, intercept or alter data, and disable services.

Web application attacks

In these cases, attackers exploit vulnerabilities in websites and online services – in forms, queries, sessions, or APIs. Examples include SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and API-based attacks.

Insider attacks

Carried out by users who already have legitimate system access – employees, contractors, or partners. Examples include data theft by an employee, intentional deletion of files, or sharing passwords with third parties.

Authentication attacks

Aimed at bypassing or breaking authentication mechanisms to obtain credentials or account access. Examples include brute-force attacks, use of stolen passwords, credential stuffing, keyloggers, or cookie theft.

Physical access

Cybersecurity attacks do not always occur over the internet. An attacker may gain physical access to equipment, insert a USB drive with malware, connect to an open port, replace hardware, or steal a server. This vector is often underestimated but is critically important for protecting essential infrastructure.

4. Cyberattack categories by level of complexity

This approach distinguishes simple mass campaigns, medium-complexity targeted attacks, and sophisticated, resource-intensive operations (APTs). Understanding the level of complexity allows assessment of the likelihood of long-term impact, the resources required for defense, and monitoring priorities.

Simple/mass attacks

Cyberattacks that operate “by volume” are often automated. These include mass phishing, spam, worms, and template exploits.

Medium complexity

More targeted hacking campaigns where a specific industry or company is attacked using a combination of methods (for example: phishing + exploit + Trojan). These are well-planned cyberattacks that can last longer than a simple mass “wave.”

High-tech cyberattacks

This is the most complex level, involving resource-intensive operations, long-term presence in the system, flexible combination of methods, thorough reconnaissance, and stealth. An example is APT groups that quietly collect data inside a victim’s network for months or years.

The most common cyberattack types

Cyber threats come in many forms, but among this variety, certain types occur most frequently and cause the greatest damage. These attacks are the true “classics” of the modern digital world, time-tested tools that cybercriminals continually adapt to new technologies, environments, and vulnerabilities. Let’s take a look at the 10 most common cyberattack types:

1. Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a victim’s files or locks access to their systems, demanding a ransom to restore functionality. In many modern cases, attackers also use double extortion: first stealing sensitive data, then threatening to publish it if the ransom is not paid.

2. Malware

Malware is a general term for malicious software such as viruses, trojans, spyware, keyloggers, rootkits, miners, and others. It can be installed through exploits, during phishing attacks, or via other infection methods.

3. DDoS/DoS

DoS (Denial of Service) is a cyberattack that overloads and makes a resource (website, server, or service) unavailable. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) is its distributed form, where the attack is carried out simultaneously from multiple sources.

4. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC is an attack in which a hacker compromises a corporate email account or impersonates it (through phishing or spoofing) to convince employees to transfer money, disclose information, or change payment details.

5. Phishing

One of the oldest but still most effective cyberattack types. The attacker disguises themselves as a trusted source (a bank, employer, support service, or popular platform) and deceives the victim into voluntarily providing confidential data such as logins, passwords, or payment information, or into installing a malicious file.

Today, phishing takes many forms – from SMS (“smishing”) and phone calls (“vishing”) to fake web pages and even QR codes.

6. MitM (Man-in-the-Middle)

So-called “man-in-the-middle” attacks occur when an attacker inserts themselves between two parties in communication, intercepting, reading, or altering messages without revealing themselves as a participant.

7. Supply chain attacks

Such cyberattacks occur when attackers breach not the victim organization itself but its partner, contractor, or the software (SW) it uses in its operations. In this way, attackers penetrate through someone else’s less-protected “doors” and gain access to the main target.

8. Injection attacks (SQL, XSS, and others)

Injection cyberattacks involve the insertion of malicious code into vulnerable parts of an application or website. The most common among them are SQL injections (inserting malicious SQL code through a user input field), XSS (Cross-Site Scripting, injecting scripts that run in users’ browsers), LDAP injections, OS command injections, and others.

9. Zero-day attack

Such attacks exploit vulnerabilities that are still unknown to the software vendor or have not been publicly patched. That is, the victim has “zero days” to respond, because neither patches nor signatures have been created yet.

10. Insider attack

During insider attacks, the threat comes from within the organization: an employee, contractor, or partner who has legitimate access to systems intentionally or accidentally compromises security.

Strategies for protection against cyberattacks

Today, cyberattacks are not isolated incidents but a constant reality of the digital environment. No business, government agency, or regular user can consider themselves fully protected. According to the World Economic Forum report, organizations that invest in a systematic approach to cybersecurity (training, technologies, culture, and incident readiness) are three times more likely to withstand attacks with minimal losses. Therefore, cybersecurity is a necessity that determines an organization’s resilience in the digital world.

How to prevent cyberattacks

Prevention is the foundation of resilient cybersecurity. At its core is the principle of multilayered defense (“Defense in Depth”), where attackers must overcome not just one, but several independent barriers. This approach involves a combination of technical, organizational, and human measures. Below are the key levels of this defense.

1. Cyber hygiene and security culture

Cyber hygiene is the foundation of any organization’s protection. The human factor remains the cause of most incidents, so it is essential to train employees in safe data practices. Regular training on recognizing phishing emails, using strong passwords, and responsibly handling corporate information significantly reduces risks. Build a security culture: every employee must understand that data protection is not an additional duty but an ordinary part of their job.

2. Updates and vulnerability management

Regular updates of operating systems, software, and network equipment are one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the likelihood of an attack. Use Vulnerability Management Systems to automate checks and prioritize remediation. Focus on CVSS scores and asset criticality to address truly dangerous security gaps first.

3. Authentication and access control

Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all critical systems so that even if a password is compromised, the attacker cannot gain access. Apply the principle of least privilege: grant users only the level of access they truly need. Rely on Zero Trust concepts – trust no one by default and verify everyone.

4. Monitoring and early threat detection

Modern protection is impossible without continuous monitoring. SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems analyze logs and help detect suspicious activity in time. EDR/XDR (Endpoint/Extended Detection and Response) solutions monitor the behavior of workstations and servers, helping to respond quickly to incidents. Regular security audits allow vulnerabilities to be detected in advance. Perform checks not only internally but also involve independent external experts, for example, by using Datami specialists.

5. Backup and Plan B

Having data backups is an important line of defense. Create backups and store them in an isolated environment (offline or create immutable copies that cannot be deleted or overwritten even by an admin) so they are not affected during an attack. Do not forget to test the recovery process; often, companies have backups, but do not check whether they can restore data during a real cyberattack.

6. Segmentation and isolation

Dividing the network by criticality is a reliable way to limit the spread of attacks. Split the infrastructure into segments (production, testing, and office) and control data exchange between them through firewalls. For remote access, use VPN and encryption – this will protect traffic and prevent unauthorized intrusion.

7. Security policies and incident response plan

No cybersecurity strategy is complete without documented rules. Develop an information security policy defining areas of responsibility and standards of behavior. Create an incident response plan – who is responsible for reacting, what actions are taken, and how management is informed. Being prepared for incidents reduces losses and helps quickly restore normal operations.

The above comprehensive set of preventive measures against cyberattacks significantly reduces the risk of attackers’ success.

What to do if an attack has already happened

Even with the most reliable protection, there is no 100% guarantee of security. If an incident does occur, it is important to act quickly and in a coordinated manner – this will help minimize damage, preserve evidence, and speed up recovery.

1. Isolation and containment

The first step is to immediately isolate infected devices. Disconnect them from the network – Wi-Fi, LAN, VPN – to prevent the spread of malicious code. Suspend active user sessions where suspicious behavior is detected. If there are signs of a ransomware attack, do not reboot the system – this will help preserve event logs and digital traces needed for investigation.

2. Assessment and identification

The next step is to determine the type of attack and the extent of the damage. Find out what happened: virus infection, phishing campaign, DDoS attack, or ransomware. Analyze logs, network traffic, and system events to understand how the attacker gained access to the infrastructure. Be sure to record all evidence – screenshots, event logs, network dumps – as this will be necessary for internal investigation and possible legal procedures.

3. Communication and internal response

Immediately inform the information security team, IT department, legal, and PR departments if it concerns the company. This will allow a quick assessment of risks, including reputational ones. Do not pay the ransom in case of a ransomware attack – statistics show that in 90% of cases, it does not help to recover data. If necessary, contact specialized companies, such as Datami, to receive professional assistance.

4. Recovery and damage assessment

After neutralizing the threat, proceed to system recovery. Use only clean backups and ensure the attacker did not leave “backdoors.” Conduct a detailed assessment of the consequences: financial, operational, reputational, and legal. Based on the results of the incident, update security measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.

5. Post-incident analysis

Once the crisis phase is over, it is important to conduct a retrospective (post-mortem). Analyze which actions were effective and which need improvement. Update the incident response plan, adjust procedures, and train employees, using the real case as a learning example. Document all steps – this will help in insurance and legal processes and in further improving the security system.

The future of cyberattacks: What to prepare for

The world of cyber threats is evolving at an incredible pace – technologies that seemed mostly defensive yesterday are becoming weapons in the hands of attackers today. Below is a brief overview of the key directions in which, according to experts, attacks will develop in the coming years.

1. AI-powered cyberattacks

Cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create large-scale, precise, and hard-to-detect attacks. Examples include phishing emails that automatically adapt to the recipient, voice and video forgery (deepfakes) for social engineering, vulnerability scanning, and system exploitation.

Active use of AI by attackers threatens a dramatic increase in the speed and scale of cyberattacks. Advanced hacking models will be able to generate hundreds of thousands of personalized messages per minute and operate around the clock. A widespread loss of trust is anticipated: if a deepfake video of a CEO starts spreading as a convincing request, the reputational risk becomes enormous. Traditional protection methods will no longer be sufficient – behavioral analysis, AI-based monitoring, anomaly detection, voice/video verification, and multi-channel authentication will be required.

2. Quantum and cryptographic risks

With the emergence of practically powerful quantum computers and growing tension around encryption, attacks will target the breakdown of cryptographic standards, decryption of traffic, harvesting of encrypted data today for future decryption (“attack-now-decrypt-later”), certificate spoofing, and compromising trusted chains. This poses serious risks for critical infrastructure: if an attack enables decryption of traffic from banks, government institutions, or cloud services, the consequences could be catastrophic. Trust in digital signatures, certificates, and the internet infrastructure as a whole could collapse. Therefore, planning a transition to post-quantum cryptographic algorithms is essential.

3. Threats to IoT, OT/ICS ecosystems and supply chains

More and more devices and systems are connected to the Internet – from smart home appliances to industrial controllers (OT/ICS). This significantly expands the attack surface. At the same time, supply chains are becoming more complex, making them attractive targets. The main issue is mass vulnerability: even a single poorly secured IoT device can become an entry point for a cyberattack on a vast network. Compromising one supplier or device can lead to cascading failures across systems and industries.

4. Blockchain and distributed systems as an attack platform

Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts are not only tools for cybercrime but also platforms for embedding persistent malicious components and covert data transmission. There have been cases where malicious code is embedded directly into smart contracts – code that is extremely hard or impossible to remove. Attackers also use invisible blockchain transactions to exchange commands and control botnets. As a result, infrastructure once considered “secure” due to decentralization becomes a source of risk. Traces of such attacks are difficult to detect and eliminate because the system itself stores the code that cannot simply be “deleted.” Recommended countermeasures include smart contract audits, bug bounty programs, privilege restrictions for contracts, and transaction monitoring.

Conclusion

Cyberattacks are different in their goals, sources, methods of impact, and level of complexity, but they share one common feature: all of them aim to exploit vulnerabilities, carelessness, and the lack of digital security control.

Understanding the types and mechanisms of cyberattacks makes it possible to build an effective defense strategy: to determine where a threat may come from, which systems require enhanced monitoring, and what measures need to be taken.

The Datami team supports businesses in this process, assessing security systems, helping evaluate risks, and organizing protection capable of withstanding even the most sophisticated attacks.