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Types of Cyber Attacks (DoS, DDoS, MITM)

DarkFreeze.COM

• 1 min read

Cyber attacks come in many forms, each targeting systems, networks, or users for disruption, theft, or exploitation. Understanding the main types helps you recognize and defend against them.

Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

  • Definition: A DoS attack overwhelms a system, server, or network with traffic to make it unavailable to legitimate users.
  • How it Works: The attacker floods a server with requests faster than it can handle, causing crashes or slowdowns.
  • Example: A website becomes inaccessible because it receives thousands of fake connection requests at once.

Prevention:

  • Use firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
  • Limit traffic to known IPs or rate-limit requests.
  • Keep systems updated to handle traffic efficiently.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack 🌐

  • Definition: A DDoS attack is similar to DoS but launched from multiple devices or networks, making it harder to block.
  • How it Works: Attackers use botnets—networks of compromised devices—to flood a target with massive traffic.
  • Example: Major websites or online services (banks, e-commerce sites) being knocked offline by coordinated attacks.

Prevention:

  • Deploy DDoS protection services or cloud-based mitigation.
  • Monitor traffic for unusual spikes.
  • Implement redundancy and failover systems.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack

  • Definition: A MITM attack occurs when an attacker secretly intercepts or alters communication between two parties.
  • How it Works: The attacker can eavesdrop, steal credentials, or manipulate data without the users realizing.
  • Example: Using an unsecured Wi-Fi network, a hacker intercepts messages between a user and a bank.

Prevention:

  • Always use HTTPS and secure websites.
  • Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, or use a VPN.
  • Use strong encryption for communications and email.

Key Takeaway

DoS, DDoS, and MITM attacks exploit system weaknesses, traffic overload, or insecure communications. Awareness, secure practices, and protective tools are essential to minimize risks.