15 Types of Website Attacks (Types & Preventive Measures)

Understanding the most common types of website attacks and their preventive measures is crucial to securing your website. This article enumerates 15 types of website attacks ranging from Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) to Cryptojacking. We first define these cyberattacks and how they happen and then explain the best ways to protect your site from attacks.

1. Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks

A Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) attack is a cyberattack where multiple compromised computer systems attack a single target to make it unavailable to users. The attack floods the target (e.g. a server or website) with excessive requests and this overwhelms its capacity to respond. The primary intent of a DDoS attack is to disrupt service by making a website or online service unavailable. This results in downtime and potentially a loss of revenue and customer trust. There are also cases where attackers use DDoS as a distraction technique while launching other malicious activities like data breaches.

2. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker injects malicious scripts into content from otherwise trusted websites. These scripts are then executed by the victim’s browser when the content is viewed. XSS attacks exploit the trust a user has for a particular site and allows attackers to bypass access controls such as the same-origin policy. The same-origin policy is a web security protocol that restricts scripts from interacting with resources from different origins.

The damage from XSS attacks varies. They are primarily used to steal site cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information that the browser stores. This results in identity theft, and unauthorized transactions. XSS is also used to deface websites or redirect users to malicious sites.

3. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is a type of attack that tricks a user into submitting a malicious request. It exploits the trust that a site has in a user’s browser. The attacker uses social engineering (like sending a link via email or chat) to exploit the user’s authentication to a site by making a request to a web application that they are already authenticated against.

The consequences of CSRF attacks are severe. They lead to unauthorized commands being performed on behalf of the user without their knowledge, such as changing email addresses, passwords, or even transferring funds. 

4. Fuzzing

Fuzzing is a technique used to discover security vulnerabilities in software by inputting massive amounts of random data, called “fuzz,” into an application to trigger abnormal behaviors. The purpose is to identify potential weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. Three example weaknesses fuzzing exploits are buffer overflow, crashes, or memory leaks. A buffer overflow is when a program tries to store too much data in a temporary storage area. Crashes are program failures that cause it to unexpectedly stop working. Memory leaks occur when a program fails to release memory that is no longer needed.

Attackers using fuzzing are able to leverage such weaknesses to execute arbitrary code and access sensitive information. It also causes denial of service, which is when a computer or network resource is made unavailable. Fuzzing is especially dangerous because it uncovers previously unknown vulnerabilities, which poses a significant threat to the security of software applications until they are patched.

5. SQL Injection

SQL injection is an attack that involves inserting or “injecting” malicious SQL queries via input data from the client to the application. Normal SQL queries are commands used to communicate with a database. Malicious SQL queries are able to read, modify, or delete data stored in the underlying database when successfully executed. This type of attack exploits poor coding practices in applications that fail to validate or sanitize user inputs before processing SQL queries.

Attackers use SQL injection to bypass authentication, access, modify, or delete sensitive data, or even take over the database server entirely. This leads to a compromise of personal data, intellectual property, and critical operational information.

6. XML External Entity (XXE) Injection

XML External Entity (XXE) Injection is a type of attack against applications that parse XML input. XML input is data formatted in XML (eXtensible Markup Language). The attack occurs when XML input containing a reference to an external entity is processed by a weakly configured XML parser, which is a software component that reads and converts XML data for applications.

Attackers exploit vulnerable XML processors to carry out unauthorized actions, such as accessing local files, interacting with internal systems, or conducting denial-of-service attacks.

The damage from XXE injection is significant, as it allows attackers to extract data, perform remote code execution, and access internal systems that are otherwise protected. This vulnerability leads to the disclosure of confidential data, disruption of system services, and in some cases, complete system takeover.

7. Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) Attacks

Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks are cyberattacks that occur when an attacker intercepts communications between two parties without their knowledge. They position themselves in the middle of the communication channel to eavesdrop on, alter, or redirect data being exchanged. This type of attack typically exploits unsecured or poorly secured network protocols.

Attackers are able to capture sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal data. They’re also able to manipulate messages, inject malicious content, or impersonate parties involved in the communication. This not only leads to data breaches but also undermines trust in communication systems. MITM attacks also cause significant reputational damage to the entities involved.

8. Supply Chain Attacks

Supply Chain Attacks are attacks that target the vendors or suppliers within an organization’s ecosystem to gain access to the organization’s systems and data. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities in third-party services and software, or in the physical components that an organization uses. Compromising a single component of the supply chain allows attackers to infiltrate multiple targets that rely on the compromised element.

The consequences of a supply chain attack are severe. They lead to widespread compromise of sensitive information across multiple organizations that share the same compromised component or service. Such attacks erode trust between businesses and their third-party suppliers. Recovery is also complex and costly because it requires extensive audits and modifications to security protocols across the affected supply chain.

9. Directory Traversal

Directory Traversal (aka. Path Traversal) is an attack which allows attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder. The web root folder is the main directory on a web server where website files are publically accessible. Directory traversal works by manipulating variables that reference files with “dot-dot-slash (../)” sequences. Attackers are then able to move up the directory tree from the web root folder and access arbitrary files or directories, which include sensitive or system-related data not intended for public access.

This type of vulnerability exposes the underlying server file system to unauthorized users, which poses a serious security risk. It allows attackers to access sensitive files such as application code, data, configuration and even databases. This potentially leads to data theft, website defacement, or server takeover.

10. Brute Force Attacks

Brute Force Attacks are attacks that involve trial-and-error methods to decode encrypted data such as passwords or PIN numbers by systematically guessing every possible combination until the correct one is found. This type of attack exploits common weaknesses in password security like short or predictable passwords in order to gain unauthorized access to accounts.

Once inside, attackers are able to steal personal information, commit financial fraud, or gain administrative access for further malicious activities. These attacks also result in significant resource consumption and this large volume of login attempts slows down systems.

11. Phishing

Phishing is a deceitful technique used by attackers to trick individuals into revealing personal information like passwords and credit card numbers by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in digital communications. These attacks are commonly conducted via email. Such phishing emails direct users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one.

Phishing exposes victims to identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to secure systems. It not only harms individuals but also compromises entire corporate networks if credentials are obtained to gain broader access. 

12. Malware

Malware (short for malicious software) is software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. Malware spreads through infected email attachments, malicious downloads, or operating system vulnerabilities. 

There are 6 common forms of malware. The first is viruses, which attach to and corrupt files. The second is worms, which replicate themselves to spread to other computers. The third are trojans, which disguise as legitimate software to create security backdoors. The fourth is adware, which automatically displays or downloads advertising. The fifth and sixth are ransomware and spyware (explained below). 

The impact of malware is extensive, as it leads to the theft of sensitive information, deletion of critical data, or even total system failure. For businesses, malware infections disrupt operations, lead to financial losses from recovery costs, and damage relationships with customers due to breaches of trust and security.

13. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data, effectively locking users out of their systems or files. It then demands payment for the decryption key. These attacks target individuals and organizations of all sizes and threaten to release or permanently block access to the data unless a ransom is paid.

Ransomware attacks not only cause direct financial losses due to the ransom payments but also result in significant operational downtime and data loss. Recovery is expensive and time-consuming as it requires extensive system restoration and data recovery efforts. Ransomware attacks also damage an organization’s reputation and potentially cause long-term financial and reputational harm.

14. Spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that is specifically designed to enter your computer device, gather your data, and forward it to a third party without your consent. Spyware is used for many purposes, including monitoring user activities, collecting keystrokes, accessing sensitive information, and tracking internet usage.

The impact of spyware is profound as it compromises the privacy and confidentiality of a user’s data. It leads to identity theft, unauthorized purchases, and extortion. Spyware is particularly dangerous because it is able to potentially go undetected for long periods, which allows significant amounts of personal and corporate data to be stolen. For businesses, this means breaches of trade secrets, financial data, and damaging their competitive position in the market.

15. Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is a type of cyberattack where attackers use a victim’s computing resources to mine cryptocurrency without their permission. Cryptojacking scripts are delivered through malicious ads or compromised websites, and they run in the background on a user’s device without their knowledge.

The primary impact of cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of computing resources, which lead to decreased performance and increased energy consumption for affected devices. This not only slows down the victim’s equipment but also leads to higher electricity bills and reduced hardware lifespan. For organizations, cryptojacking compromises business operations and results in significant financial costs associated with mitigating the attack and restoring affected systems to normal operation.

How Do I Protect My Website From Attacks?

There are 4 things you can do to protect your website from attacks:

The first is to use strong passwords. Ensure that all passwords related to your website, including admin logins, database access, and server access, are complex and unique. Strong passwords have a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.

The second is to install a web application firewall (WAF). A WAF is a tool that helps protect your website by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic. It helps defend against attacks such as SQL injection and XSS by blocking malicious traffic.

The third is to implement security plugins. Security plugins are software tools designed to enhance the security of a website. Websites built on content management systems (CMS) like WordPress must consider security plugins that monitor for malware, implement firewalls, and provide regular security audits.

The fourth is to use reputable web hosting. Web hosting is a service that provides the technologies and resources needed for websites to be viewed on the Internet. Opt for a reputable web hosting service that offers robust built-in security features. 

These procedures are sufficient in protecting you from common website attacks. See our guide for additional tips for securing your website.

Is Free Web Hosting More Vulnerable to Website Attacks?

Yes, free web hosting is more vulnerable to website attacks due to their very limited security features, shared resources with potentially compromised sites, and less frequent or stringent security updates. They also provide slower tech support responses which delay critical responses to security breaches. These factors make it challenging to adequately protect websites if you’re just relying on free web hosting.

How Do Reputable Web Hosts Prevent Website Attacks?

Reputable web hosts employ specific strategies to prevent many of the website attacks mentioned above, such as firewalls to block malicious traffic. Other examples include continuous monitoring systems to detect and respond to potential threats, and SSL/TLS certificates which are security certificates that secure data transmissions. Learn more about security features the leading web hosts include in their hosting services.