5 Cybersecurity Threats to Know in 2024

Modern cybersecurity threats feature a greater level of complexity than those of the past. As digital technologies become increasingly crucial to the services we rely on every day, the value of cybersecurity that actively protects organizations against cyberattacks grows as well. But, knowing the importance of these systems, cybercriminals seek to undermine them to gain valuable data and sensitive information to commit crimes that can be as lucrative as they are damaging. 

Cybersecurity is a growing field. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs for information security analysts—the category under which many cybersecurity positions fall—is projected to grow by 33 percent between 2023 and 2033 [1]. That’s significantly higher than the 4 percent average growth the BLS projects for all jobs in the country during the same period. 

In this article, you'll gain a stronger understanding of current cybersecurity threats in 2024. You’ll also explore some cost-effective, flexible courses you can take to gain job-relevant skills today. 

What is a threat in cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, a threat is any kind of action that has the potential to negatively impact an organization’s operations, procedures, systems, or data. Bad actors, such as hackers and scammers, exploit vulnerabilities within a digital security system to gain information, disrupt operations, and commit crimes like fraud and identity theft. 

Where do cyberattacks come from?

Cyberattacks are typically classified as arising from either "outsider threats" or "insider threats." Outsider threats come from people who don’t have legitimate access to the network or devices they attack, such as individual hackers or criminal organizations. Insider threats in cybersecurity, however, include people such as employees or suppliers who go beyond their authorized access. 

Common types of cyberattacks

Digital systems are integral to the daily operations of organizations and services worldwide. As a result, cybercriminals pose a serious threat to organizations that rely on these systems every day.

The following are some of the threats organizations face where your skills as a cybersecurity professional can help provide protection:

1. Malware 

Malware is software used for malicious purposes, such as disrupting computer systems, granting unauthorized access to information, or remotely monitoring another person’s online behavior. Short for “malicious software,” malware is typically downloaded onto a computer or mobile device by posing as a harmless file or link that can be difficult to recognize as a threat when it appears. As a result, malware attacks are prevalent. In fact, malware attacks were recorded approximately 6 billion times in 2023, according to Statista [2]. 

Malware is an umbrella term that includes many different types of software used for various malicious reasons. Some common types of malware include: 

• Trojans: This malware, also called a Trojan horse virus, impersonates a legitimate application so that you download it without realizing its true intent.

• Adware: Adware displays or downloads advertising materials onto a computer or mobile device. While some adware is used for legitimate marketing purposes, bad actors use it for more malicious purposes, like spying or stealing data. 

• Spyware: This malware installs itself onto computers and mobile devices to monitor your online behavior and gain sensitive information. Trojans and adware are two common ways you might download spyware on a computer. 

• Ransomware: This malware encrypts files on a device, effectively making it unusable without decryption. Bad actors then demand a ransom to decrypt the device. 

2. Phishing 

Phishing is a common cyberattack in which a bad actor attempts to trick you into either downloading malware or revealing sensitive information by posing as a legitimate person or organization, such as a friend, co-worker, or bank. 

In a phishing attack, cybercriminals send emails, text messages, or social media posts containing malicious links to their victims, who unwittingly download malware as a result. Scammers often use phishing attacks to gain credit card numbers, bank account information, or social security numbers to commit financial crimes or identity theft. 

Phishing attacks are on the rise – and getting more sophisticated, too. According to a 2024 study by SlashNext, malicious emails have increased by 4,151 percent since 2022, with attackers using generative AI to expand their reach [3]. Increasingly common techniques scammers use in phishing attacks include targeting victims using mobile devices, deploying well-crafted “zero-hour” malware or malicious URLs that are difficult to identify, and posing as trusted organizations like Microsoft, Google, or Amazon.  

How do you recognize a phishing attack? 

Phishing attacks can sometimes be challenging to recognize because they pose as trusted individuals or organizations. Nonetheless, some tell-tale signs to look out for include messages containing generic greetings sent from a trusted acquaintance, unusual requests from an individual or organization asking that you send them sensitive information, and too-good-to-be-true offers that require you to click on an included link. 

Using two-factor authentication can improve your protection from phishing attacks. Anti-malware software and backing up sensitive data on a secure platform, such as an encrypted portable hard drive, can also help. 

3. Man-in-the-middle (MitM) 

Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks occur when a malicious actor inserts themselves between two parties who believe they’re communicating with one another but are actually communicating with the attacker. 

Also called “machine-in-the-middle” and “on path” attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks usually involve a cybercriminal first detecting insecure traffic and then sending network users to spoof websites, which they use to collect log-in credentials. Afterward, attackers use the acquired credentials to log in to the actual website, stealing further sensitive data or committing financial crimes like theft. 

Common methods used by cybercriminals in man-in-the-middle attacks include: 

• HTTPS spoofing: The attacker creates a fake website that resembles a genuine website, which they then use to collect your information. Attackers can also use this technique for phishing attacks. 

• IP spoofing: The attacker creates an internet protocol (IP) packet with a modified source address, which allows them to conceal their identity and impersonate another system. 

• SSL hijacking: The attacker creates fake certificates for an HTTP site’s domain, which allows them to redirect you to a spoof site that collects their personal information or log-in credentials. 

4. Denial of Service (DoS)

In a denial of service (DoS) attack, a malicious actor seeks to overload a website or system so it cannot function properly. Typically, DoS attacks work by flooding websites and network servers with fraudulent traffic requests, which results in the site being unable to render its services to legitimate visitors. Common targets of DoS attacks include email servers, websites, and banking accounts. 

DoS attacks that result from the actions of more than one computer are called Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Cybercriminals often use DoS and DDoS attacks to hold an organization’s website hostage for ransom, act as a smoke screen for other kinds of attacks, or act as a pretext for other real and online crimes. 

5. Injection attacks

During injection attacks, cybercriminals inject a query or code into a program, enabling them to access sensitive data, remotely execute commands, or modify a system. They also exploit “injection flaws,” or vulnerabilities within a system, that allow it to receive malware or malicious queries that attackers can use to gain unauthorized access. 

Several types of injection attacks exist. Some of the most common include: 

• Code injection: Bad actors inject code within an application, which is typically vulnerable due to improper data validation. 

• SQL Injection: Malicious actors exploit structured query language (SQL) to inject commands that can read data held within the system.

• XML Injection: Bad actors exploit vulnerabilities within extensible markup language (XML) that allows them to access unauthorized data. 

Why gain a strong understanding of current cybersecurity threats and TTPs?

Analyzing tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) can aid you in detecting and deflecting cybersecurity incidents. TTPs offer a greater understanding of how threat actors execute their attacks and can help you defend against them with robust responses.

Expand your cybersecurity knowledge on Coursera

Cybersecurity professionals ensure that individuals and organizations are safe from the many threats posed by cybercriminals. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity or gaining a deeper understanding of the field, consider taking a flexible, cost-effective Professional Certificate through Coursera. 

In Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, you’ll learn in-demand cybersecurity skills that can have you job-ready in less than six months. Over eight courses, you’ll gain hands-on experience with Python, Linux, and SQL, as well as how to protect networks, devices, people, and data from unauthorized access and cyberattacks using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools. At the end, you’ll even receive an official credential that you can highlight on your resume to indicate your knowledge and job-relevant skills to potential employers.