Top 4 Cyber Attacks: What They Are and How to Stay Safe

Article written by: Anvi Sharma

Article designed by: Anvi Sharma & Palak Tiwari

In our increasingly digital world, staying safe online has even been more crucial. With so much of our lives, from banking and shopping to communication and work, taking place online, the threat of cyberattacks is a constant reality. Cybercriminals are always refining their method to steal personal information, money, and data. While the landscape of cyber threats can seem intimidating, understanding the common types of attacks is one of the most effective steps in protecting yourself. Here are the top four cyber attacks you should be aware of, along with how to stay protected from them.

Phishing

Phishing is a deceptive type of cybercrime where attackers pretend to be a legitimate and trustworthy entity to trick victims into divulging sensitive information. This attack is typically carried out through emails, which are crafted to look official and convincing, often creating a sense of urgency to prompt a quick, unthinking response. The emails contain malicious links that, when clicked, direct you to a fraudulent website. This fake site is designed to capture sensitive data such as usernames, passwords, bank account details, and email addresses..

Common examples and signs: You might receive an email claiming to be from your bank, stating that “unusual activity” has been detected on your account and that you must “verify your details immediately” by clicking a link. Other examples include emails from shipping carrier companies, informing you about a "delivery issue” and asking you to click a link to reschedule. These emails often include subtle spelling errors, generic greetings like "Dear Customer," and unusual subject lines with excessive punctuation.

How to stay safe: The golden rule is to never click on links or open attachments from a suspicious email. Instead, if you are concerned about your account, navigate to the official website by typing in the address into your browser or using a bookmark. Hovering your mouse over a link will reveal the true URL, allowing you to spot inconsistencies. Most importantly, legitimate organizations will never ask you to provide personal information via an unsolicited email.

Smishing

Smishing is a variation of phishing, but it uses text messages to deceive victims. Attackers exploit the high level of trust people have in messages, often perceived as more secure and personal than email. They create fraudulent text messages that instill a sense of fake authority, familiarity, urgency, or intimidation, using social engineering to manipulate the victim into providing their personal information.

Common examples and tactics: A common smishing scam involves a text message impersonating a government agency like the DMV, threatening you with a fine unless you click a link to pay. Other tactics include fake job offers and prize notifications that seem too good to be true. The text message often contains a link that, once clicked, leads you to a malicious website where you are prompted to enter your information.

How to stay safe: Be highly skeptical of any text message from an unknown number, especially if it includes a link or an urgent request. Legitimate businesses and organizations typically don't ask for sensitive information, such as passwords or bank details, through text messages. If you receive a text message from a supposed company, contact them directly through the official website to verify the request. Do not use the contact information provided in the text message itself, as this may also be fraudulent,

Credential harvesting

Credential harvesting is the process by which an attacker creates a fake login page with the sole purpose of tricking the victim into entering their login information. This technique is often used in conjunction with phishing or smishing attacks, where a malicious link directs the user to the counterfeit website. The fake page is created to look like a legitimate login page for a well-known service, such as a cloud provider, social media platform, or banking portal. When you enter your username and password, the data is immediately captured by the attacker.

How the attack works: The attacker's goal is to make the fake page so convincing that you don't realize you've been duped until it's too late. The URL may be very similar to the real one, with a minor typo or a different extension. After capturing your credentials, the fake page may even redirect you to the real one to avoid suspicion. This way, you log in successfully and remain unaware that your credentials have been compromised.

How to stay safe: Before entering any login information, always double-check the URL to ensure it is the correct website address. Look for the padlock icon in the browser's address bar, indicating a secure connection. A password manager can be a powerful tool, as it can detect when you are on a fraudulent website and prevent you from using auto-filling your credentials.Most importantly, never click a login link from an email; always navigate to the website directly.

Spoofing

Spoofing is the act of an attacker changing the origin of communication to make it appear as if it is from a legitimate, trusted source. The goal is to gain the user's trust, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will fall for the scam. This can be done across multiple channels, including email, text messages, phone calls, and web pages. Spoofing is a foundational technique often used as part of larger phishing, smishing, or credential harvesting attacks.

Different forms of spoofing: In email spoofing, the "From" address is forged to appear as though it came from a trusted sender, such as your boss or a bank. Phone number spoofing, also known as Caller ID spoofing, involves manipulating the caller ID to display a different number, often one that seems familiar. Website spoofing, as mentioned with credential harvesting, involves creating a duplicate website to impersonate a legitimate one.

How to stay safe: Be cautious and learn to verify the authenticity of communications, even if they appear to be from a known source. In emails, check the full sender address, not just the display name. On web pages, inspect the URL carefully. For phone calls, if the caller asks for sensitive information, hang up and call the official number for the organization yourself to verify the request. Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a significant layer of protection, as it requires a second form of verification even if an attacker has stolen your credentials.

Works cited

CISA. “Recognize and Report Phishing | CISA.” Www.cisa.gov, www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/recognize-and-report-phishing.

Joshua, Crissy. “What Is Spoofing? 12 Examples of Different Spoofing Attacks.” @Norton, Norton, 30 Dec. 2024, us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/what-is-spoofing.

“PowerDMARC.” PowerDMARC, 10 Oct. 2025, powerdmarc.com/credential-harvesting/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Proofpoint. “What Is Smishing? Examples, Protection & More | Proofpoint US.”

Proofpoint, 26 Feb. 2021, www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-reference/smishing.

“Smishing: What Is It, How It Works & Tips on How to Prevent It.” Bank of America, business.bofa.com/en-us/content/what-is-smishing-how-to-prevent-it.html.

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