A "cyber attack" is any unlawful attempt to use digital technology to harm or exploit computer systems, networks, or other devices. Malware infections, phishing schemes, DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) assaults, ransomware attacks, and other types of cyberattacks are only a few examples. This list often covers cyberattacks that have seriously harmed people, organizations, or even entire nations and resulted in the loss of sensitive data, money, or assets. The perpetrators of the attacks may have included individuals, gangs, states, or other hostile forces.
1. Citibank 1994
The Citibank cyber attack of 1994, often known as the "Russian cyber heist," was one of the earliest and most notable examples of a cyber attack targeting a financial organization. Around $10 million was stolen in less than three months by a group of Russian hackers who were able to access Citibank's cash management system throughout the attack. Due to a security flaw in Citibank's software, the hackers were able to transfer money from Citibank accounts into accounts at other financial institutions. To get through Citibank's security procedures and carry out the attack, the hackers used a variety of advanced strategies, including social engineering.
Only after a Russian software engineer called the bank to report unusual activity on his account did Citibank learn about the hack. After conducting an investigation, Citibank learned the scope of the intrusion and alerted the authorities. The 1994 Citibank cyberattack served as a wake-up call for the banking sector and brought attention to the need for more robust security measures to guard against cyber threats. It also signaled a turning point in the development of cybercrime by showing how hackers may use holes in computer systems to steal sensitive data and money.
2. Mafia Boy
A well-known cyberattack that took place in 2000 was the Mafia Boy attack, sometimes referred to as the "Yahoo! Hack." A Canadian teenager named Michael Calce, who used the online alias "Mafia Boy," was the perpetrator of the crime. Mafia Boy was successful in overpowering the servers of several important websites, including Yahoo!, eBay, and Amazon, using a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. The hack significantly disrupted internet services, costing the targeted businesses millions of dollars in lost income.
The Mafia Boy cyberattack was notable because it showed how someone may use relatively easy cyber attack techniques to create major disruption and financial harm. The incident served as a reminder of the need for more robust cybersecurity measures to defend against DDoS attacks and other online dangers. After being apprehended, Mafia Boy was given an eight-month juvenile imprisonment term, a year of probation, and internet usage guidelines.
3. Sasser Worm
In 2004, a computer worm known as the Sasser Worm affected Windows machines. It was created to take advantage of a flaw in the Windows operating system, more notably the LSASS (Local Security Authority Subsystem Service) component. Once a computer had been infected, the worm would search the network for additional weak computers and propagate to other systems. Millions of computers, including those belonging to businesses, people, and government organizations, were impacted by the Sasser Worm, which caused significant disruption.
Sven Jaschan, a German youngster who was ultimately detained and found guilty for his involvement in the attack, generated the worm. Several more viruses and worms, including the Netsky worm, were also made by Jaschan. The Sasser Worm serves as a reminder of the significance of keeping antivirus software and security patches current on computer systems in order to fend off similar attacks in the future.
4. Operation Shady Rat
Around 70 international organizations, including governments, defense contractors, technology firms, and nonprofits, were the target of Operation Shady Rat, a cyberattack campaign. Cybersecurity company McAfee made the initial discovery of the attacks in 2011 and named the campaign "Operation Shady Rat" after the malware that was employed. Project Shady Rat's perpetrators were suspected to be a state-sponsored hacking outfit, most likely based in China, with economic espionage as their primary goal. The attackers employed a range of strategies, including spear phishing emails, social engineering, and zero-day exploits, to breach their targets.
Although the attackers were able to continue having access to some of their targets' networks for years without being discovered, the campaign was renowned for its stealth and persistence. Also, it is thought to have been one of the biggest and most complex cyberespionage operations to date. Operation Shady Rat acted as a wake-up call for enterprises and governments around the world to take cyber threats seriously and invest in stronger cybersecurity measures to secure their networks and data, even if the perpetrators behind the attack were never definitively identified.
5. Iceman
An extensive identity theft and credit card fraud scheme known as the "Iceman" cyberattack occurred between 2005 and 2008. Hacker Max Butler, who went under the alias "Iceman" online, was in charge of the operation. In order to obtain credit card numbers and other personal information, Butler employed a number of strategies, such as SQL injection attacks and the exploitation of flaws in different software programs. He subsequently sold the stolen information on darknet sites where other crooks bought and sold it for their own illegal gain.
Butler allegedly had access to more than 1.5 million credit card numbers at the height of the operation, which resulted in losses of more than $86 million. Butler was nonetheless detained by the FBI in 2007 and eventually given a 13-year jail term for his crimes. The Iceman cyber attack was noteworthy not just for its scope and effects but also for the employment of sophisticated hacking methods to collect personal information. To prevent identity theft and other types of cybercrime, the incident served as a reminder of the value of robust cybersecurity safeguards.
Related: 10 Hidden Dark Secrets of the Internet
6. Confiker
The Kido worm, often referred to as the Downup, Downadup, or Conficker worm, spread through millions of Windows machines in 2008 and 2009. The worm used a Windows operating system flaw to move via networks and infect more vulnerable computers. After a computer was compromised, the worm would turn off security software and open a backdoor for remote access, enabling attackers to take over the device and steal confidential data. The worm posed a serious risk to computer security because it was also capable of downloading other infections.
The highly intelligent Conficker worm used a number of strategies to avoid detection, propagate quickly, and resist removal. Almost 10 million machines worldwide are thought to have been infected by the worm during its height. Although the perpetrators of the Conficker virus have never been positively identified, it is thought that a group of cyber terrorists based in Eastern Europe are responsible. To prevent such assaults in the future, the incident served as a reminder of the value of keeping computer systems up to date with security patches and employing secure passwords.
7. Epsilon
Epsilon, a well-known provider of email marketing services, was the target of the Epsilon cyber assault, a significant data breach that happened in 2011. Several significant businesses and organizations, including banks, shops, and hotels, among others, use Epsilon's email marketing services. The names and email addresses of millions of consumers of some of Epsilon's clients were stolen by the attackers when they obtained access to the email marketing database of Epsilon. Although the stolen data did not contain social security numbers or other sensitive financial information, it was nevertheless important to cybercriminals who might use it to carry out phishing scams or other types of identity theft.
Because it revealed the weakness of outside service providers who keep consumer data for big businesses, the Epsilon cyberattack was serious. The event also made clear how crucial it is to protect consumer data and the potential harm that a data breach may do to a company's standing and bottom line. Following the assault, Epsilon contacted its clients and the affected customers while also working with law enforcement to investigate the incident. Many businesses reviewed their security procedures in the wake of the event to make sure their third-party service providers were effectively safeguarding client information.
8.Saudi Aramco
The world's largest oil company Saudi Aramco's computer systems were the target of a massive cyberattack that took place in 2012. Thousands of computers at the corporation were infected by the Shamoon malware, which was used in the attack to disrupt business and do substantial damage. Key files were replaced by images of a flaming American flag by the Shamoon virus, which also overwrote the master boot record of infected PCs, rendering them useless. It is thought that a gang with connections to Iran was responsible for the highly skilled attack.
The Saudi Aramco cyberattack was noteworthy because, at the time, it was one of the biggest and most damaging cyberattacks on a company's infrastructure, resulting in major interruption and damage. The incident demonstrated how susceptible critical infrastructure is to cyberattacks and the potential impact these attacks could have on both the domestic and global economies. Saudi Aramco improved its cybersecurity in reaction to the incident by installing new security controls and processes, expanding its cybersecurity team, and investing in new technologies to identify and stop upcoming threats. Other businesses and governments were also inspired by the incident to review their own cybersecurity procedures and take action to strengthen the defenses around their vital assets.
9. Bangladesh Bank Heist
The SWIFT bank heist, sometimes referred to as the Bangladesh Bank Heist cyberattack, was a sophisticated cyberattack that happened in February 2016. The attack was directed against the central bank of Bangladesh, which had accounts with the U.S. Federal Reserve and transferred money using the SWIFT messaging system. Using a phishing email, the malware was planted on a worker's computer, giving the attackers access to the bank's systems. Once within the network, the attackers were able to move $81 million from the bank's account to accounts in the Philippines by tricking the SWIFT messaging system. An oversight in one of the transactions prevented the attackers from transferring an additional $870 million.
Since it exposed the flaws in the world banking system and the possibility for huge financial losses from cyberattacks, the Bangladesh Bank Heist was a notable cyberattack. The incident brought about heightened scrutiny of the SWIFT messaging system's security and improved understanding of the value of cybersecurity in the banking sector. The Bangladesh Bank collaborated with law enforcement after the attack to look into what happened and put new security measures in place. The incident also pushed SWIFT to strengthen its security protocols and give member institutions more assistance in order to avert similar attacks in the future.
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