What is a cyberattack?

A cyberattack is essentially an attempt to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or devices. Imagine someone trying to break into your computer to steal your vacation photos or perhaps plant a digital “virus” that makes your computer behave strangely. It can involve anything from stealing personal information to affecting critical systems.

In this article, we explain what a cyberattack is, how you can protect yourself from one, and what to do if you are affected.

Common Types of Cyberattacks

There are several different methods attackers use during a cyberattack. Here are some of the most common:

• Phishing: The attacker sends fake emails that look genuine to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
  
• Malware: Software installed on your computer without your knowledge that can cause harm or steal information.
  
• Ransomware: A type of malware that locks your files and demands a ransom to release them.
  
• DDoS attacks (Distributed Denial of Service): The attacker overloads a website or service with traffic, making it inaccessible to users.

Cyberattacks in Sweden

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common in most countries, and Sweden is no exception. Particularly vulnerable sectors include education and research, government and military, as well as healthcare. This trend highlights the importance of strengthening cybersecurity within Swedish organizations to protect against the growing threat of cyberattacks.

Which Parts of an IT System Are Most Vulnerable to a Cyberattack?

According to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), several components of an IT system are particularly vulnerable to a cyberattack:

• Application layer: Application resources, such as CPU and memory, can become overloaded with many simultaneous requests, which can affect system performance and availability. This can impact other parts of the system, for example, when slow database response times create bottlenecks in the frontend servers.
  
• Databases: Database queries are particularly sensitive, as they are often resource-intensive and can affect application performance under heavy load.
  
• Network infrastructure: Components such as routers, switches, and firewalls are critical for communication within and outside the organization. Attacks like DDoS can target these to disrupt or block network traffic.
  
• User authentication and authorization systems: If attackers compromise these, they can gain unauthorized access to systems and data, which can lead to data theft or manipulation.
  
• Backup and recovery systems: These are crucial for recovering after an attack. If insufficiently protected, attackers can prevent data restoration, especially in ransomware incidents.

How to Protect Yourself from Cyberattacks

If a company suffers a cyberattack, it can result in the loss of sensitive information, downtime, and potentially extortion demands. In the long run, it may cause instability, financial losses, and reputational damage. But protecting yourself from cyberattacks doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep in mind:

• Use strong passwords: Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using the same password in multiple places.
  
• Keep software updated: Ensure your operating system and programs are updated to close security gaps.
  
• Be cautious with links and attachments: Don’t click on suspicious links or open attachments from unknown senders.
  
• Use antivirus software: A good antivirus program can detect and block many types of malware.

What to Do if You Are Attacked

If you suspect you’ve been subjected to a cyberattack, it’s important to act quickly, as a rapid response minimizes the risk of damage and restores security. According to MSB, here’s how you can act:

• Disconnect the device from the network: This prevents the further spread of potential malware.​
  
• Contact IT support or an expert: They can help identify and fix the problem.
  
• Change your passwords: If you suspect your login credentials have been compromised, change them immediately.
  
• Notify affected parties: If sensitive information has leaked, inform those who might be impacted.

Dotkeeper’s Services Keep Your Company Safe from Cyberattacks

Does your company need stronger protection against cyberattacks? Dotkeeper offers a range of services that strengthen your company’s cybersecurity and protect your digital presence:

• Automated digital certificate management: Automating certificate management ensures that websites are always protected with valid SSL/TLS certificates.
• Premium DNS services: A robust DNS solution can handle higher volumes of traffic, reducing the risk of service disruptions during DDoS attacks.
• Domain management: Ensures that your company’s domain names are protected and properly managed.
• Security services: Implementation of DNSSEC to prevent domain manipulation and DMARC to protect against email fraud.

Want to learn more about creating a tailored solution for your company? Contact us for advice.