How Companies Get Hacked and What You Can Do to Protect Your Business
Tags: cybersecurity, webdev, javascript, python
Published: 2022-11-04 17:58:19

The term “hacking” is used a lot in the media, usually in reference to major companies or high-profile individuals who have been victims of a cyberattack. While the word “hacking” has become synonymous with computer crime, it’s important to understand that not all hacking is created equal. There are different types of hackers and different types of hacking, all of which can have different motivations and different levels of sophistication.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most common ways that companies get hacked, as well as some of the most famous (or infamous) examples of corporate hacking. We’ll also offer some tips on how you can protect your company from being the next victim.

## Phishing
One of the most common ways that companies get hacked is through what’s known as a “phishing” attack. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which the attacker attempts to trick the victim into giving up sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information. Phishing attacks are often carried out by email, although they can also be carried out over the phone or through social media.

**One of the most famous examples of a phishing attack** occurred in 2016, when hackers used a phishing email to gain access to the email account of Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta. The hackers then released a trove of damaging emails that were damaging to the Clinton campaign.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ndhvgmptybr5l9tmphaf.png)

## SQL injection
Another common way that companies get hacked is through what’s known as an “SQL injection” attack. SQL injection is a type of attack in which the attacker inserts malicious code into a database in order to execution malicious commands. SQL injection attacks can be used to steal sensitive data, such as customer information or financial data.

**One famous example of an SQL injection attack** occurred in 2014, when hackers used an SQL injection attack to gain access to the customer database of Home Depot. The hackers then released a trove of customer information, including credit card numbers and email addresses.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/n8wq12lptptwzmose49j.png)

## Denial of service
Companies can also be hacked through what’s known as a “denial of service” (DoS) attack. A DoS attack is a type of attack in which the attacker attempts to make a website or other online service unavailable by flooding it with traffic. DoS attacks can be used to take down a website or to prevent users from accessing a service.

**One famous example of a DoS attack** occurred in 2000, when a group of hackers used a DoS attack to take down the website of the online auction site eBay. The attack caused eBay to lose an estimated $5 million in revenue.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9r2h3je037ltmjzu3sn3.png)

## Man-in-the-middle
Companies can also be hacked through what’s known as a “man-in-the-middle” (MitM) attack. A MitM attack is a type of attack in which the attacker intercepts communications between two parties in order to eavesdrop on or alter the communications. MitM attacks can be used to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information.

**One famous example of a MitM attack** occurred in 2011, when the hacker group “Anonymous” used a MitM attack to intercept and release a trove of private emails from the email accounts of several high-profile individuals, including the CEO of Sony.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0jghtnb7vpsmwq5xbkn1.png)

## Brute force
Companies can also be hacked through what’s known as a “brute force” attack. A brute force attack is a type of attack in which the attacker attempts to guess the password to an account or service by trying a large number of possible passwords. Brute force attacks can be used to gain access to accounts or services, such as email accounts or social media accounts.

**One famous example of a brute force attack** occurred in 2012, when the hacker group “Anonymous” used a brute force attack to guess the password to the Twitter account of the Associated Press. The hackers then used the account to tweet out a false report of a bomb explosion at the White House.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/plh1l5uvm8vs9jf0yone.png)

## Insider
Companies can also be hacked through what’s known as an “insider” attack. An insider attack is a type of attack in which an employee of the company carries out the attack. Insider attacks can be motivated by a variety of factors, such as revenge, financial gain, or political ideology.

**One famous example of an insider attack** occurred in 2015, when an employee of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) carried out a cyberattack on the OPM’s database. The attack resulted in the theft of the personal information of more than 21 million people.

## Zero-day
Companies can also be hacked through what’s known as a “zero-day” attack. A zero-day attack is a type of attack in which the attacker takes advantage of a previously unknown security flaw in order to gain access to a system or service. Zero-day attacks can be used to gain access to sensitive data, such as customer information or financial data.

**One famous example of a zero-day attack** occurred in 2010, when the “Stuxnet” worm was used to take control of the nuclear enrichment facility in Iran. The attack was able to cause physical damage to the facility, and it is believed to have set back the Iranian nuclear program by several years.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/a0a9p9g2j98woesexuj8.png)

## Protect your company
As you can see, there are a variety of ways that companies can get hacked. And, unfortunately, no company is immune to being hacked. However, there are a few things you can do to help protect your company from being the next victim.

- First, make sure you have a strong cyber security policy in place. This policy should include things like employee training on cyber security, as well as measures to protect your company’s data, such as encryption and firewalls.

- Second, make sure you have a good cyber security insurance policy in place. This policy will help to cover the costs of recovering from a cyberattack, as well as any legal costs you may incur.

- Finally, make sure you have a plan in place for how to respond to a cyberattack. This plan should include who to contact, what to do, and how to communicate with your customers.

By following these tips, you can help to protect your company from being the next victim of corporate hacking.

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