Author: Zuzana Kocáková

In today’s digital era, where most of our personal and professional activities take place online, cyber attacks have become a serious threat to individuals, businesses and government institutions. Cybersecurity is therefore a key area dealing with the protection of systems, networks and data from unwanted attacks. Understanding what a cyber-attack is, how it takes place and what its most common forms are, is the first step towards being able to counter and effectively protect against these threats. This article will introduce you to the different types of cyber attacks and explain how they work.

Cyber attack definition

Cyber attacks are attempts to steal, alter, destroy, disrupt or render inoperable information resources and systems in computer networks and systems. Cyber attacks can be classified into two categories: internal threats or external threats. Internal threats result from individuals with legitimate access to the systems they target exploiting their access to intentionally or unintentionally exploit vulnerabilities. They can be carried out by a disgruntled or angry employee or contractor with access to the organisation’s systems. An external threat comes from someone who has no relationship to the system being attacked, such as a criminal organisation or hackers. Cyber attacks can target a wide range of victims, from individual users to businesses or even governments. In attacks on businesses or other organisations, the hacker’s goal is usually to gain access to sensitive and valuable company resources, such as intellectual property, customer data or payment data.

How does a cyber attack start?

A cyber attack starts with the attacker choosing a target, which can be an individual, an organization or a specific vulnerability, such as outdated software or weak security configurations. Attackers gather information about the target through techniques such as scanning networks, searching for exposed systems, or even mining data publicly available online. Once they have enough information, they exploit system weaknesses to gain unauthorized access.

How does a cyber attack work?

1. Initial access: the attacker establishes a position in the system, often by exploiting vulnerabilities or using social engineering methods such as phishing to trick users into giving up their data. This can also include brute force attacks on weak passwords or the use of stolen credentials from previous data breaches.
2. Execution: after infiltrating the system, the attacker can execute malicious code that is often disguised as legitimate software or embedded in files such as email attachments. The code usually connects to the attacker’s server and downloads additional tools or instructions.
3. Higher privileges: the attacker attempts to gain higher privileges on the system, such as administrator access, in order to move freely and perform more advanced operations. Often this involves exploiting system vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.
4. Expanding the attack: after gaining access to a single system, the attacker moves laterally across the network, attempting to gain control of multiple devices and access to sensitive areas such as databases or domain controllers. Often, they reuse credentials or exploits other vulnerabilities to spread.
5. The ultimate goal: the attacker can steal data, install ransomware to encrypt files and demand payment, disrupt traffic, or sabotage the network. In some cases, the attacker remains hidden for an extended period of time (Advanced Persistent Threat / APT) and continues to extract valuable data.

Throughout the whole process, attackers use a variety of techniques to avoid detection, such as encryption, obfuscation or log deletion. Cyber attacks can vary in complexity, but often follow this general pattern:

Cyber attack types

There are many types of cyber-attacks occurring in the world today. Knowing the different types of these attacks makes it easier for us to protect our networks and systems from them. In this section, we will take a closer look at the most commonly occurring cyberattacks that can affect an individual or a large company, depending on the scale.

1. Malware definition

Many people don’t know the answer to the question of what malware is. They have met it, heard about it, but they don’t know how to define it. Malware is any type of software designed to damage, misuse or gain unauthorised access to computers, networks or devices. It is used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations or take control of systems for malicious purposes. Malware can enter your system through fraudulent emails, malicious downloads, infected websites or compromised software updates. Once inside the system, it can perform a variety of malicious activities, such as stealing data, spying on users or corrupting files.

Malware types

• Rootkit attack – unlike other malicious codes, a rootkit is a set of software tools that are used to open a “back door” in the victim’s device. This allows the attacker to install additional malware, such as ransomware and keyloggers, or gain remote access and to take control over other devices on the network. To avoid detection, rootkits often disable security software. Once a rootkit gains control of a device, it can be used to send spam, join a botnet, or collect sensitive data and send it back to the attacker.
• Trojan horse (Trojan virus) – a Trojan horse is a program downloaded and installed on your computer that appears to be harmless, but is actually malicious. Usually this malware is hidden in an innocent-looking email attachment or a free downloaded application. When the user clicks on the attachment or downloads the program, the malware is transferred to their computing device. Once inserted, the malicious code will perform whatever task the attacker has designed. Often this is to launch an immediate attack, but it can also create a backdoor that the hacker will use in future attacks.
• Spyware virus – once installed, spyware monitors the victim’s Internet activity, tracks login credentials, and spies on sensitive information – all without the user’s consent or knowledge. For example, cybercriminals use spyware to obtain credit card and bank account numbers and to obtain passwords. Government agencies in many countries also use spyware – most famously a program called Pegasus – to spy on activists, politicians, diplomats, bloggers, research labs and allies.
• Ransomware cyber attack – ransomware is a type of malware that blocks access to files or an entire system by encrypting them. After blocking access, the aggressors demand a ransom to decrypt them. This type of attack is usually very fast and can also affect backups, making it difficult to restore systems without paying a ransom. Ransomware is often spread through phishing emails or infected websites. A famous example is the WannaCry ransomware attack, which affected thousands of organizations worldwide.
• Adware – adware is software that displays unsolicited advertisements on a user’s device, often without the user’s consent. Although adware may not always be malicious, it can disrupt the user experience by slowing down the device and displaying ads continuously. It is often installed unknowingly, for example alongside free software. In some cases, adware can track a user’s online behaviour to target ads or obtain sensitive data.
• Worms virus – worms are self-replicating malicious programs that spread over networks without the need for user interaction. Unlike viruses, worms do not need to bind to other programs or files. Their main goal is to infect as many devices as possible and spread as quickly as possible. Worms can cause serious damage, such as overwhelming networks, slowing down systems or installing more malware. An example is the Morris Worm, one of the first major Internet worms.
• Botnet – a botnet is a network of infected devices (called “bots”) that are under the control of an attacker. The devices in a botnet can be used for coordinated attacks, such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, in which the botnet overwhelms the target server with an excessive number of requests, thus taking it out of service. Devices can be infected with various types of malware, often without the user’s knowledge. Botnets are also used to spread spam or steal data.

2. Denial of service attack definition

A denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) is a malicious, targeted attack that floods a network with fake requests in order to disrupt business operations. In a DoS attack, users cannot perform normal and necessary tasks, such as accessing email, websites, online accounts or other resources that are hosted by the compromised computer or network. Although most DoS attacks do not result in data loss and are usually resolved without paying a ransom, they do cost an organization time, money and other resources to restore critical business operations. The difference between DoS and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks is related to the origin of the attack. DoS attacks originate from a single system, whereas DDoS attacks originate from multiple systems. DDoS attacks are faster and harder to block than DOS attacks because multiple systems must be identified and neutralized to stop the attack.

3. Phishing definition

Phishing is a cyber-attack in which an attacker attempts to extort sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers or other personal data from individuals. It is usually a fraudulent communication, often in the form of an email or text message that pretends to come from a legitimate source, such as a trusted company or colleague.

Phishing types

1. Email phishing

Email phishing is the most common type of phishing attack, in which aggressors send fraudulent emails en masse, pretending to come from trusted sources such as banks, online services or well-known companies.

• The email contains a malicious link or attachment that, when clicked, redirects the victim to a fake website that resembles a legitimate one. Victims are then tricked into entering personal information such as login or credit card details.
• Example: an email that looks like it’s from a bank and asks you to update your account details using the link provided.

2. Spear phishing

Spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing aimed at specific individuals or organizations.

• Unlike mass phishing emails, spear phishing attacks use personalized information (such as the recipient’s name, job title or details of a company project) to make the message look more legitimate.
• Example: a spear phishing email may appear to come from a colleague or boss asking you to send sensitive company information or reset your password.

3. Whaling

Whaling focuses on high-ranking individuals within an organization, such as CEOs or senior executives.

• Aggressors pose as a trustworthy person, often using urgent business matters as a lure. These emails are highly personalised and target executive-level information such as business credentials, financial data or strategic plans.

• Example: an email to a CEO posing as a legal authority or other senior executive requesting sensitive business documents or large bank transfers.

4. Vishing (voice phishing)

Vishing includes phishing attacks conducted via phone calls.

• Aggressors pose as trusted organizations such as banks or government agencies and persuade victims to provide sensitive information such as passwords, bank details or social security numbers.
• Example: a phone call from your bank asking for your account number or PIN to “verify” your identity.

5. Smishing (SMS phishing) Smishing is phishing via SMS or text messages.

• The attacker sends a text message containing a malicious message or phone number that urges the recipient to take urgent action. The goal is often to steal personal data or infect a mobile device with malware.
• Example: if an e-mail message appears on the Internet that is related to a mobile phone, it may contain, for example, a text message claiming that your bank account is blocked and asking you to click on a link to verify your account details.

4. Spoofing attack

The definition of a spoofing attack is simple. It is a type of cyber attack in which an attacker impersonates a trusted entity or system to deceive individuals or systems into granting access or sharing sensitive information. The main objective is to gain unauthorized access, steal data or launch further attacks under the guise of a legitimate source. Spoofing can occur in a variety of contexts, from email communications to network connections.

Spoofing types

1. E-mail spoofing

Aggressors send fraudulent emails pretending to come from a trusted sender, such as a colleague, business partner or a well-known company. By changing the “From” field in the email header, they create the impression that the email is coming from someone else. This type of spoofing is often used in phishing attacks to trick the recipient into sharing sensitive data or clicking on malicious links. Example: receiving an email that looks like it’s from your bank and asks you to log in or reset your password using a fraudulent link.

2. IP spoofing

Aggressors manipulate the source IP address in the packet header to make the packet appear to come from a trusted or known IP address. IP spoofing is commonly used to gain unauthorized access to a network or to launch distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks by flooding a target with traffic from many spoofed IP addresses. Example: an attacker sends malicious data packets to a system that appear to come from a trusted source on the network.

3. URL spoofing

Attackers create fake websites to mimic legitimate websites, often with the aim of stealing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords or payment details. An attacker registers a domain name similar to a trusted website, changing one or two characters to trick users (e.g., “g00gle.com” instead of “google.com”). When users visit the fake website, they are tricked into entering sensitive information. Example: a fraudulent website that looks like an online banking login page but is actually controlled by an attacker to obtain login credentials.

4. ARP spoofing

An attacker sends spoofed ARP messages within the local network to associate its MAC address with the IP address of another device, often a gateway or router. This type of attack allows an attacker to intercept, modify, or stop the transmission of data between devices on a network. It is often used in Man in the Middle (MITM) attacks. Example: if an attack occurs on the network, it is possible that an attack that violates the rules that apply to the network will occur on the network: the attacker will intercept the communication between your device and the router, allowing him to monitor or modify the data that is sent and received.

5. Identity-based attacks definition

Identity-based attacks are very difficult to detect. If a user’s valid credentials have been compromised and an adversary is impersonating that user, it is often very difficult to distinguish typical user behaviour from that of a hacker using traditional security measures and tools.

Types of identity-based cyber attacks

1. Man in the middle attack (MITM)

A MITM attack occurs when an attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters communications between two parties. The goal is often to steal sensitive data such as login credentials, banking information or personal details. The attacker inserts themselves between the victim and the target, often using techniques such as Wi-Fi eavesdropping or DNS spoofing. The attacker can simply listen in on or modify a conversation, redirect funds, convince the victim to change passwords, or perform unauthorized actions. Example: capturing communication between a user and their bank during an online transaction.

2. Pass-the-hash attack

In a Pass-the-Hash (PtH) attack, cybercriminals steal a hashed version of the password, which is an encrypted representation of the original password. Instead of cracking the password, the aggressors use the hash directly to authenticate and start a new session. This attack is common in Windows environments where the hash is stored and transmitted over the network. Example: an attacker gains unauthorized access to a corporate network by using a stolen hash from an attacked device without cracking the actual password.

3. Golden ticket attack

The Golden Ticket attack involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the Kerberos authentication protocol used by Microsoft Active Directory. Aggressors create a “golden ticket” that gives them unrestricted access to the domain controller and other critical resources on the network. By using the golden ticket, aggressors can bypass authentication and retain persistent access. Example: an attacker steals key data from a domain controller and creates a golden ticket that allows unrestricted access to the organization’s entire network without the need for re-authentication.

4. Silver ticket attack

Silver ticket attack is similar to golden ticket attack but has a more limited scope. Aggressors create fake service tickets to gain access to specific services. After stealing the password to an account with service-level access, the attacker creates a fake authentication ticket that provides unauthorized access to a specific service (e.g., file shares, databases) on the network. Example: gaining access to a specific application server by forging a service ticket using a stolen password.

5. Credential harvesting

Credential harvesting refers to the collection of user credentials, including usernames, passwords and other login credentials, often through phishing, keylogging or intrusion. Attackers collect this information in order to use it for unauthorized access or to sell it on the dark web. Login credentials are often collected in bulk from a variety of sources, including phishing websites or malware infections. Example: a phishing email tricks the victim into entering their login details on a fake website, which the attackers then use to gain access to their real accounts.

6. Credential stuffing

Credential misuse involves using stolen credentials from one compromised system to attempt to access other systems. Since people often reuse passwords across multiple accounts, aggressors attempt to log into unrelated services (such as email, social networking, or banking) using credentials obtained from other breaches. Example: using credentials stolen from a compromised e-commerce website to attempt to access a victim’s social media accounts.

7. Password spraying

An attacker attempts to gain access to many accounts using one or more common passwords, thus avoiding being blocked. Unlike traditional brute force attacks, which target a single account with many passwords, a password hashing attack targets many accounts with several common passwords (e.g. “password123”). This helps avoid detection mechanisms that lock accounts after multiple failed login attempts. Example: an attacker tries the password “Welcome2023” on hundreds of user accounts within an organization.

8. Brute force attacks

A brute force attack involves systematically guessing passwords or encryption keys by trial and error until the correct password is found. Aggressors use automated software to quickly try different combinations of usernames and passwords. If they have enough time and computing power, they can eventually find the right combination. Example: an attacker uses a tool that, after trying thousands of combinations, guesses the correct password for an administrator account.

6. Code injection attacks

Code injection attacks involve an attacker inserting malicious code into a vulnerable computer or network to alter its course. There are several types of code injection attacks:

1. SQL injection

The SQL Injection attack exploits system vulnerabilities to inject malicious SQL statements into a data-driven application, which then allows a hacker to extract information from the database. Hackers use SQL Injection techniques to alter, steal, or delete data from an application’s database. Imagine a website with a sign-up form. Normally, the application would send an SQL query to the database in the form: SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = ‘user’ AND password = ‘password’; However, if an attacker enters the following string in the username field: ‘ OR ‘1’=’1′ The SQL query could look like this: SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = ” OR ‘1’=’1′ AND password = ‘password’; This query is now always true because ‘1’=’1′ is a condition that is always satisfied. The attacker can log into the system this way without knowing the actual login credentials.

2. Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Cross Site Scripting (XSS) is a code injection attack in which an attacker inserts malicious code into a legitimate website. The code is then executed as an infected script in the user’s web browser, allowing the attacker to steal sensitive information or impersonate the user. Web forums, discussion boards, blogs and other websites that allow users to post their own content are the most susceptible to XSS attacks.

3. Malvertising

The attack usually starts by breaking a third-party server, allowing the cybercriminal to insert malicious code into the ad being displayed or into an element of the ad, such as banner ad copy, a creative image or video content. When a website visitor clicks through, the corrupted code in the ad installs malware or adware on the user’s computer.

4. Data poisoning

Data poisoning is a type of cyber attack in which an adversary intentionally compromises a training dataset used by an artificial intelligence or machine learning model in order to manipulate the operation of that model. When manipulating the dataset in the training phase, the adversary may introduce bias, intentionally create incorrect outputs, introduce vulnerabilities, or otherwise affect the predictive capabilities of the model.

7. Supply chain attack

A supply chain attack is a type of cyber attack that targets a trusted third-party vendor that offers services or software critical to the supply chain. Software supply chain attacks inject malicious code into an application to infect all users of the application, while hardware supply chain attacks compromise physical components with the same goal. Software supply chains are particularly vulnerable because modern software is not written from scratch: rather, it includes many off-the-shelf components such as third-party APIs, open source and proprietary code from software vendors.

8. Social engineering cyber attack definition

Social engineering is a technique in which attackers use psychological tactics to manipulate people into performing a desired action. Using powerful motivators such as love, money, fear and status, they can obtain sensitive information that they can later use either to blackmail an organization or to use this information to gain a competitive advantage.

Social engineering attack types

1. Pretexting

In pretexting, aggressors gain access to information, a system, or a user by faking a false scenario to gain the victim’s trust. This includes impersonating an investment banker, a human resources employee or even an IT specialist.

2. Business email compromise (BEC)

In a BEC attack, attackers assume the identity of a trusted user to, among other things, trick a company’s employees or customers into making payments or sharing data.

3. Disinformation campaign

Disinformation campaigns are deliberate efforts to spread false information, especially for political or war-related reasons. Adversaries use social media networks, which reach huge audiences, to spread false narratives through the prolific use of bots and fake accounts, creating a false sense of common opinion.

4. Honeytrap

Honeytrap attacks target people looking for love or friendship on dating apps/websites. Attackers create fake profiles and use the timelessly built relationship to trick the victim into giving them money, information or network access to install malware.

5. Tailgating/Piggybacking

Tailgating, also known as piggybacking, is a type of attack that is carried out in person by having the attacker stick close to an employee of the company and asking them to hold the door for them. Once inside the facility, the adversary attempts to physically steal or destroy sensitive information.

9. Insider threats definition

IT teams that focus solely on external threats are only addressing part of the security environment. Internal threats involving current or former employees pose a significant risk because these individuals have direct access to the company’s network, sensitive data, intellectual property, and often have valuable knowledge of business processes and policies that could facilitate an attack. Although many insider threats are malicious and motivated by, for example, financial gain from selling confidential information on the dark web or emotional manipulation through social engineering tactics, not all are intentionally malicious. Some are the result of negligence. To effectively address both malicious and reckless insider threats, organizations should implement a robust cybersecurity training program. This training should educate employees on recognizing and mitigating potential security risks, including those posed by insiders.

10. DNS tunneling definition

What is DNS tunneling ? DNS tunneling is a type of cyber-attack that uses Domain Name System (DNS) queries and responses to bypass traditional security measures and transfer data and code across a network. Once infected, the hacker is free to perform command and control activities. This tunnel provides an avenue for the hacker to launch malware and/or obtain data, IP or other sensitive information by encoding it bit by bit in a series of DNS responses. DNS tunneling attacks have proliferated in recent years, in part because they are relatively easy to deploy. Tunneling toolkits and tutorials are even readily available online through mainstream sites such as YouTube.

11. IoT-based attacks

An Internet of Things (IoT) based attack is any cyber attack that targets an IoT device or network. Once compromised, a hacker can take control of a device, steal data, or join a group of infected devices to create a botnet to launch DoS or DDoS attacks. With the number of connected devices expected to grow rapidly, cybersecurity experts expect IoT infections to grow as well. In addition, the deployment of 5G networks, which will encourage the use of connected devices, may also lead to an increase in attacks.

12. AI-powered attacks

As AI and ML technologies improve, the number of use cases is also increasing. Just as cybersecurity professionals use AI and ML to protect their online environments, attackers are using these tools to gain access to networks or steal sensitive information.

Adversial AI/ML

Adversarial AI/ML attacks aim to disrupt or manipulate AI and machine learning systems by introducing misleading or inaccurate data during the training phase. By carefully crafting inputs that exploit model weaknesses, attackers can cause artificial intelligence to make incorrect predictions or decisions. Example: imagine an autonomous vehicle powered by artificial intelligence that uses machine learning to recognise traffic signs and make driving decisions based on them. An attacker could use adversarial techniques to subtly change the appearance of a stop sign so that it appears to the vehicle’s AI system as a Yield Right of Way sign. These changes could be imperceptible to human eyes, but would cause the sign to be misinterpreted by artificial intelligence, potentially leading to dangerous driving behaviour.

Dark artificial intelligence (Dark AI)

Dark AI refers to the malicious use of AI and ML technologies designed to exploit system vulnerabilities. Unlike conventional attacks, Dark AI often operates covertly, making it difficult to detect until significant damage is done. It uses advanced AI techniques to carry out sophisticated and covert attacks. Example: the use of AI-driven tools to automatically discover and exploit security vulnerabilities in software or systems.

Deepfake

Deepfake involves the use of artificial intelligence to create highly realistic but fake media, including images, videos and audio. These fakes can deceive viewers by making it appear as if people said or did things they never did. Deepfakes can be used to manipulate public opinion, damage reputations or interfere in political processes. Example: a doctored video of a political figure who made controversial statements that never actually happened.

AI-generated social engineering

Social engineering attacks generated by artificial intelligence include the creation of sophisticated chatbots or virtual assistants that mimic human-like interactions. These AI systems engage in conversations with users to obtain sensitive information or persuade them to take malicious actions. Example: a persuasive chatbot with artificial intelligence posing as customer service asking users to provide personal information or login credentials.

How can a cyber attack be prevented?

Cyber attacks will become more frequent and sophisticated. The good news is that there are several things organizations can do to minimize the risk.

Update your software

Updated software systems are more resilient than outdated versions, which may have weaknesses. Updates can fix all bugs and weaknesses in the software, so it is optimal to have the latest version. In addition, consider updating your software by investing in patch management.

Install a firewall

Firewalls are useful in preventing various attacks such as DoS attacks. They work by controlling the network traffic that passes through the system. A firewall also stops any suspicious activity that it deems potentially harmful to the computer.

Back up your data

When you back up your data, you move it to a different, secure storage location. This could be using cloud storage or a physical device such as a hard drive. In the event of an attack, backing up your data allows you to recover any lost data.

Data encryption

Data encryption is a popular method of preventing cyber-attacks and ensures that data is only accessible to those who have the decryption key. To successfully attack encrypted data, aggressors often have to rely on the brute force method, where they try different keys until they guess the right one, which makes breaking encryption difficult.

Use strong passwords

To prevent attacks, you should have strong passwords in the first place and avoid using the same passwords for different accounts and systems. Repeated use of the same password increases the risk of aggressors gaining access to all your information. Updating your passwords regularly and using passwords that combine special characters, upper and lower case letters and numbers can help protect all your accounts.

Use two-factor authentication

Use two-factor or multi-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication requires users to provide two different authentication factors for their authentication. When more than one additional authentication method is required in addition to your username and password, this is referred to as multi-factor authentication. This turns out to be an important step to secure any account.

Participate in comprehensive cyber security training

Comprehensive cyber security training is one of the most effective ways to gain practical knowledge and skills to protect yourself and your business from cyber attacks. Such training provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the different types of threats and techniques to compromise systems and obtain sensitive data. In addition, participants will learn practical methods to detect, prevent, and respond to these attacks.

Conclusion on cyber attacks

In a digital age where we increasingly rely on technology, protecting against cyber attacks is an essential part of every organisation and individual. Cyber threats such as malware, ransomware, phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, causing serious financial and reputational damage. Therefore, it is critical to have a robust cybersecurity strategy in place that includes not only technical measures, but also thorough user and employee education. Properly securing data, monitoring activity on the dark web or investing in elite threat scanning services are just some of the key steps organisations can take. Regular cybersecurity training is also essential to minimize the risks of human error.

The internet has revolutionized the way we live, work and communicate. But it also brought cyber threats on the internet that can disrupt our privacy and security. These cyber threats can come in many forms, from hackers and cybercriminals to viruses and malware. They may use a variety of deceptive tactics to gain access to their victims’ accounts or systems in order to obtain personal, financial or sensitive data. In this article, we’ll take a look at what threats we know about on the internet and how to protect ourselves against them.

Cyber threats on the Internet

The most common threats on the Internet include the following:

• Malware: malicious software that is designed to disrupt or damage computer systems. This includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware and spyware.
• Phishing: a tactic used by cybercriminals to steal personal information such as usernames, passwords and credit card numbers. This is often done by sending emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, but are in fact designed to deceive the recipient into giving their personal details.
• Hacking: involves gaining unauthorised access to a computer system or network. This can be done by exploiting vulnerabilities in the software or using social engineering tactics to trick users into providing their login credentials.
• Denial of Service (DoS) attacks: are aimed at overwhelming a computer system or network with excessive load, preventing it from functioning properly. This can be achieved by sending a large number of requests to the server or by overwhelming the network with traffic.
• Social engineering: represents the use of psychological manipulation to trick users into giving up their personal information. It can include tactics such as phishing, pretexting and baiting.
• Botnets: is a network of compromised computers that can be used to carry out a variety of malicious activities such as DDoS attacks, sending spam and stealing personal data.
• Insider threats: involve individuals within an organization using their access to confidential information for malicious purposes, such as stealing data or damaging the network.

What is an antivirus definition?

In order to effectively defend against existing threats, we need to install a suitable antivirus software on our device. What is an antivirus meaning, you ask? Antivirus is a type of software that is used to prevent, scan, detect and remove viruses from a computer. Once installed, most antivirus software runs automatically in the background and provides real-time protection against virus attacks.

What is security software?

Security software is any computer program designed to affect information security. It is often used in the context of defending computer systems or data. Security software is designed to protect and secure servers, laptops, mobile devices and networks from unauthorized access, intrusion, viruses and other threats. It can help protect data, users, systems and companies from a wide range of risks.

Antivirus protection

Anti-virus protection helps protect files and hardware from malware such as worms, Trojans and spyware, and may offer additional protection such as customizable firewalls and website blocking.

How antivirus works

Anti-virus software works by regularly scanning your devices for and blocking known viruses, as well as new and emerging malware mutations. If your device becomes infected, antivirus software will help you remove it. These programs use several forms of detection to provide the best possible protection.

Antivirus benefits

The goal of antivirus software is not only to protect the system from security threats and vulnerabilities, but also to provide real-time protection through automatic vulnerability scanning. An antivirus program provides the following benefits:

• Virus and malware protection: the main advantage of antivirus software is protection against malicious viruses such as malware and spyware.
• Protection against spam and pop-ups: one of the most common ways viruses infect and infiltrate your system is through pop-ups and spam-based websites. Antivirus software secures the system by automatically blocking pop-ups and spam originating from malicious websites.
• Real-time protection: antivirus software acts as a real-time shield that scans every incoming file and program. Depending on the settings of the antivirus program, when an infected file or program is detected, it is automatically removed or moved to a quarantine folder for further analysis. The quarantined file is prevented from interacting with the rest of the computer and its programs to mitigate damage.
• Boot-scan command: sophisticated viruses can often duplicate themselves while the system is active. However, an antivirus program can prevent the virus from self-replicating by invoking the boot-scan command. This command shuts down the operating system (OS), restarts the computer, and checks the entire hard drive for viruses and malware. During the scan, the virus is detected and thanks to the deactivation of the operating system, it has no chance to self-replicate.
• Scanning the dark web: data from most data leaks, such as ransomware attacks, often ends up on the dark web. Many antivirus tools can help companies detect whether their sensitive data has been leaked to the dark web or not. For example, if antivirus find an associated email address or account number on the dark web, it can alert the user and update the password to a new and more complex one.
• External device protection: most people regularly connect external devices such as hard drives and USB adapters to their computers. The antivirus software scans all connected devices and peripherals to prevent potential viruses from entering the system through external sources.
• Spam protection: this is basically protection against unwanted messages or unsolicited advertisements.
• Identity theft protection: antivirus can protect your sensitive information from hackers.
• Parental controls: many antivirus providers also offer parents the ability to control their children’s online activity and prevent them from visiting inappropriate websites or downloading harmful content to their devices.

Why antivirus scan failed ?

The role of an antivirus is to protect our devices from malware attacks such as viruses, malware and ransomware. However, what happens when your antivirus program suddenly crashes and says “virus scan failed”? Here’s a look at a few possible causes of this problem and how to treat them.

1. Software updates

One of the most common reasons why an antivirus scan can fail is because of out-of-date software versions. Antivirus programs regularly release updates that include new cyber threat definitions and bug fixes. If you don’t update your antivirus program, its ability to detect and remove threats may be limited. The solution is to regularly update the software and its definitions.

2. Software conflicts

Another reason could be a conflict between the antivirus and other software installed on your device. Some applications may compete with an antivirus program for access to system resources or may contain elements that are interpreted as threats. In that case, you can try disabling or uninstalling other apps that might be causing the conflict.

3. System errors

Some system errors or file corruption may prevent the antivirus program from working properly. In such cases, you may need to use system repair tools or reinstall an antivirus program to fix the problem.

4. New threats

Sometimes a new, unknown threat can be the cause of an antivirus scan failure. Antivirus programs rely on their threat definitions to identify and remove threats. If a new threat appears before your antivirus database is updated, your scan may fail. In this case, it is important that you inform the antivirus provider of the problem and request a database update.

Antivirus – best options and criteria for choosing

All of us are looking for the best antivirus to protect our devices, but unfortunately, not all antivirus products provide a reliable and usable solution that provides an adequate level of protection against malware. When evaluated against the following criteria, even the top 10 antivirus solutions on the market can score very differently, so think carefully about your choice.

• Reliability

Even the most thorough antivirus solution can prove completely useless if it conflicts with other software running on your computer. If these conflicts lead to malfunctions or temporary suspension of antivirus protection processes, it can make your device vulnerable to attacks.

• Usability

If the day-to-day use of an antivirus solution requires special skills, it may be impractical for many users. In some cases, if the antivirus software is too complex to run, the user can simply turn it off and remain unprotected.

• Speed and performance

Although you can’t avoid slowing down your system after installing an antivirus, you should at least check and compare how much your chosen antivirus programs will tax the performance of your computer or smartphone.

• Comprehensive protection

An antivirus solution should provide continuous protection for all computer domains, all file types and all network elements that could be subject to attack by a computer virus or other malware.

• Quality of protection

Regardless of whether you need security software for Apple or Windows , each must be able to operate in an aggressive environment that is constantly changing – with new computer viruses, worms, and Trojan horses that can be far more complex than previously known malware and may include new ways to evade the effects of antivirus programs. The quality of protection depends in part on the following:

• the effectiveness of malware detection processes
• frequency and regularity of updates
• the ability to remove infections from your computer
• the effectiveness of providing computer protection – without significantly impacting computer performance

• Affordability

The antivirus should be affordable and the price should match the quality of the service.

• Application intuitiveness

An antivirus program should be easy to use and intuitive – there is technical complexity and technical jargon associated with computer security, but these should not be a barrier for the user.

• How many devices can you use it on

Many households no longer have just one desktop computer and family members often have their own laptops and smartphones or tablets. That’s why antivirus manufacturers offer the option to use it on multiple devices – so you can protect the whole family for just one fee.

• OS compatibility

Today, it is no longer the exception that every device in the home runs a different operating system (e.g. Windows on a laptop, Android on a tablet and iOS on an iPhone). So check in advance which OS the selected antivirus supports. When choosing an antivirus, you can rely on user and discussion forums where users share their real experiences and knowledge, or you can check sites with independent antivirus tests and expert reviews, for example here.

What antivirus for laptop?

1. Norton 360 Deluxe If you need an antivirus for your laptop or PC, this antivirus includes almost everything most users need, without the extras. In addition to an antivirus engine and firewall to protect against malware and network threats, you’ll also get malicious link and attachment scanning, dark web monitoring and webcam protection. Norton also offers 50GB of cloud backup storage, access to a password manager and VPN, parental controls, and desktop tools that include the ability to monitor outdated software. The only downside is that it can have a high impact on the performance of some computers. 2. Bitdefender Total Security Bitdefender Total Security Antivirus is a comprehensive solution that provides cybersecurity for your Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices without affecting their performance or battery life. Bitdefender antivirus can eliminate all forms of network threats, including traditional viruses, worms, Trojans, as well as modern threats such as RATs, ransomware attacks and various types of exploits, rootkits, botnets and spyware. It provides theft protection, parental control, VPN, Firewall, webcam and microphone protection, web browsing protection and secure online payment. 3. ESET HOME Security Ultimate ESET HOME Security Ultimate Antivirus protection is a complete home security solution that effectively guards your computer while minimizing the impact on your operating system performance. It uses advanced AI-based technologies that actively fight all forms of internet threats without slowing down your computer or affecting the functionality of your operating system. Whether you need privacy protection, do online banking, shop online or just read the latest emails, ESET HOME Security Ultimate is the ideal choice. It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Android phones or tablets. ESET antivirus also offers the option to take an online antivirus test for one free scan of your device, which also removes all threats. Click on the link and select the free trial option. It will download an installation file, which you can run to get here: Now just set your language and click Run. Hopefully your test result will look like this: 4. McAfee Total Protection McAfee Total Protection security software and protection package provides protection from the latest spyware, malware and ransomware threats not only for you, but also for your family, ensuring maximum protection for your privacy and identity. It also protects your computer and personal data from attacks by hackers and cybercriminals. Antivirus McAfee is highly regarded for its ability to optimize your computer’s performance – automatically blocking videos from running on websites and minimizing bandwidth usage. You’ll surely appreciate that McAfee Total Protection is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android, meaning you can easily secure all the devices in your home with one software. McAfee provides secure web browsing, home network security with a firewall, online support with security experts, secure storage and password management. It offers a license for 3 devices for 12 months. 5. Avast Ultimate Avast Ultimate Antivirus includes every product you need to take care of your devices, all in one convenient package. Avast is one of the most reliable antiviruses, but puts more strain on device performance than its competitors. There’s also a free version that offers you protection from viruses, malware, ransomware attacks, as well as WiFi network protection and network device monitoring. The paid version provides powerful real-time protection against viruses, malware, ransomware and other threats on all devices, Avast AntiTrack Premium helps users protect their personal data from online tracking and provides enhanced anonymity when browsing the web. It provides a protected mode for online banking and shopping. It also includes a built-in Firewall and anti-spam filtering to protect your computer and your email inbox from unwanted content and unauthorized access. The following products are part of the license:

• Avast Premium – reliable antivirus protection
• Avast Secureline VPN – protects your network privacy
• Avast Cleanup Premium – for thoroughly cleaning your device of unnecessary files
• Avast Passwords Premium – password manager
• Avast AntiTrack – helps users protect their personal data from online tracking

6. AVG Internet Security AVG is best known for its excellent free antivirus software, but there’s good reason to upgrade. AVG Internet Security not only offers more comprehensive protection, but also easy management of these tools. The Internet Security plan builds on the free version’s protection against malware and web, email and network threats by adding five features. You get protection for passwords stored in browsers, webcam hijacking, unknown access to sensitive data files, malicious redirection of websites you’re trying to visit (DNS hijacking), and attacks conducted through the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol. As well as scanning your computer and network in real time, AVG Internet Security monitors malicious websites as you surf online – and even monitors where your email address appears online. If it detects it in a data leak, an alert will appear in the app. You can use AVG Free as your antivirus for windows 10 protection. You can also use it as a Windows XP or Windows 11 antivirus. 7. Windows Defender We’re all familiar with Microsoft Defender – it’s a simple, free protection against malicious cyber threats that’s automatically installed on your Windows devices. Because Microsoft Defender is free, you can run and use it instantly, anywhere. Windows also offers security protections for larger enterprises, if needed. As an antivirus, it covers everything you need to protect – from scanning your device, to quarantine prevention, to removing viruses that may have been on your computer. You’ll find more features in other antivirus packages, such as online privacy tools, VPNs and encrypted cloud backup. However, this free protection provides everything the average user needs and protects your device well against most threats. 8. Avira Avira is a free protection for Windows devices that uses a variety of supervised and unsupervised artificial intelligence methods, as well as machine learning techniques to improve malware ad detection. The antivirus tool also includes an ad monitoring feature, digital footprint cleaning tools and a shield for scanning emails and social networks. In addition, Avira offers its own free VPN protection. 9. Total AV Total AV is a powerful and easy-to-use antivirus program that uses the Savapi antimalware engine, which is used by more than 500 million users worldwide. Total AV protects your computer and mobile devices from viruses, malware, adware and spyware in real time. It offers a feature-rich package with an intuitive interface. It’s a great choice for anyone who needs an affordable and effective cybersecurity tool that’s easy to manage. It is compatible with Windows, Apple Mac, iPhone/iPad and Android devices. Total AV has built-in phishing URL blocking, they also have a password manager, VPN and ID protection to give you the highest level of security. Full system scanning and real-time scanning will work silently in the background, constantly and consistently checking for potential threats and overall device health. The results are displayed in a clear and transparent format. Total AV has many other features such as VPN, Ad Blocker, Browser Cleaner and System Tuning. 10. Sophos Intercept X Endpoint – Linux antivirus Sophos Intercept X Endpoint provides excellent network protection for home and business users. It uses an extensive proprietary malware database and advanced heuristics to find and remove all types of malware. Intercept X Endpoint is compatible with all major Linux distributions and allows easy security management of all types of devices through the Sophos Central control panel (which is similar to the Bitdefender control centre). Sophos Intercept X Endpoint includes:

• Malware scanner on request
• Firewall management
• Real-time malware protection
• Scheduled scanning
• Wide support for distributions

Antivirus programs – comparing the best antivirus for your device

Antivirus name	Price	Key Features	Rating
AVG Antivirus Free	Free	Basic protection against viruses, malware and ransomware	4/5
Avast Free Antivirus	Free	Basic virus, malware and ransomware protection, firewall, web protection	4.5/5
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus	€49,99/year	Extensive virus, malware and ransomware protection, firewall, web protection, parental control, VPN protection	5/5
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	€59,90/year	Extensive virus, malware and ransomware protection, firewall, web protection, parental controls, banking and online payment protection	4.5/5
Kaspersky Anti-Virus	€59,99/year	Extensive virus, malware and ransomware protection, firewall, web protection, parental control, VPN protection, privacy protection	5/5
McAfee Total Protection	€79,99/year	Comprehensive virus, malware and ransomware protection, firewall, web protection, parental control, VPN protection, identity protection, performance optimization	4.5/5
Norton 360 Deluxe	€69,99/year	Extensive virus, malware and ransomware protection, firewall, web protection, parental control, VPN protection, identity protection, cloud backup	5/5

Antivirus & Mobile – antivirus for Android and iOS devices

Antivirus for Android

1. Bitdefender Mobile Security Bitdefender Mobile Security provides excellent malware protection with little impact on performance. It also includes tools such as app lock, Wi-Fi scanner, anti-theft features, and data breach alerts. Price: €12/year 2. Norton Mobile Security Norton Mobile Security provides great protection against malware and has an intuitive design. Its App Advisor feature checks apps that use too much data or behave suspiciously, which could indicate they are malicious. Price: 9.70€/year 3. Avast Mobile Security Avast Mobile Security provides good protection against malware with minimal impact on system performance. The paid plan also includes additional anti-theft features, an app clipboard and technical support. You can also get access to Avast’s SecureLine VPN service as an add-on to one of the paid plans. Price: 6.99€/year

iOS antivirus (antivirus for iPhone)

iPhones are generally considered more secure compared to other types of smartphones due to Apple’s strict security measures and the closed nature of the iOS operating system. However, it is said that every device should have an antivirus installed for its security – is iOS an exception? Partly. Although Apple has designed its iOS system to be relatively untouchable, it’s still possible to get a virus on your iPhone. The most likely way for this to happen is the so-called jailbreak, when you’ll go around operating system restrictions. You can do this to get more control over your device and download any apps or programmes from anywhere on the internet. Basically, it lets you do whatever you want with your iPhone. But when you also allow your device to download apps from unknown sources, you’ve opened up iOS to a wider range of apps, features, and themes, none of which are approved by Apple! This means that without antivirus protection, you’ve just exposed your device to all kinds of attacks. 1. Norton Mobile Security This antivirus was already mentioned above, but it’s not only the best for Android devices, but also for iOS devices, which is why it deserves the top spot on this list. 2. Avira Mobile Security Avira’s Avira Mobile Security Antivirus is a free, all-in-one antivirus that protects you from theft and scammers. It may not offer as many features as other antivirus programs, but you’ll still get basic security for your iPhone without paying huge amount of money. Avira may also be the best choice if you feel your iOS device is already largely secure and doesn’t need additional security features like online shopping and identity protection. Price: free 3. McAfee Mobile Security This antivirus provides a secure VPN for online privacy, protecting your identity from risky Wi-Fi connections, secure browsing, system scan for the latest updates. It comes with a free VPN to secure public wi-fi. Price: 10.99€/year 4. Bitdefender Mobile Security With Bitdefender’s antivirus, you get the most effective threat protection with the least impact on your battery. Protect your personal data such as passwords, addresses, social and financial information, check your phone’s security, prevent accidental disclosure and misuse of data for all installed apps, protect your calendar and messages from fraud and phishing attempts, get an overview of your online activity and history of attacks you’ve defended against, and enjoy online communication with a sense of security by checking your online accounts against data breaches. Price: 14.99€/year 5. AVG Mobile Security Pro If you have an iOS device and want to get free antivirus, iPhone, Mac and iPad can all be protected by simply downloading the AVG Mobile Security app from the App Store. While you won’t have the network protection of a VPN, it will provide you with monitoring and password leak protection, as well as photo protection with a security vault. We hope that our article has helped you to get an overview of antivirus and security software.