This dataset contains information about various cybersecurity threats, detailing their descriptions, impact levels, mitigation strategies, and common targets. It is designed to provide insights for individuals and organizations to enhance their cybersecurity awareness and defenses.
| Threat | Description | Impact Level | Mitigation Strategy | Common Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity. | High | Educate users, implement email filtering. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Data Breach | Unauthorized access to confidential data, often leading to theft of personal information. | High | Use encryption, conduct regular security audits. | Corporations, Healthcare Providers |
| Skimming | Devices placed on ATMs to capture card information. | Medium | Install anti-skimming devices, monitor ATM equipment. | Bank Customers |
| Social Engineering | Manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information. | High | Train employees on recognizing tactics. | Employees, Customers |
| Ransomware | Malware that encrypts data and demands ransom for recovery. | High | Regularly back up data, use antivirus software. | Individuals, Organizations |
| Keylogger | Software or hardware that records keystrokes to capture passwords and sensitive data. | High | Use anti-keylogger software, type password with care. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Spyware | Malicious software that gathers data without user consent. | Medium | Use anti-spyware, maintain system updates. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Credential Stuffing | Using stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access to accounts. | High | Implement two-factor authentication, use complex passwords. | Web Services, Online Accounts |
| Man-in-the-Middle Attack | Intercepting communications between two parties to steal information. | High | Use encrypted connections (HTTPS), VPNs. | Online Transactions, Communications |
| SIM Swapping | Fraudulent transfer of a victim's phone number to a malicious SIM. | High | Contact mobile provider, use extra verification. | Individuals, Executives |
| Fake Websites | Impersonating legitimate websites to capture data. | High | Check URLs, use security software. | Individuals, Online Shoppers |
| Live Phishing Calls | Fraudulent phone calls aimed at retrieving sensitive information. | Medium | Verify caller identity, report suspicious calls. | Individuals, Professionals |
| Malware | Malicious software that disrupts, damages, or gains unauthorized access to computer systems. | High | Use antivirus software, avoid unsafe downloads. | Individuals, Organizations |
| Data Mining | Using personal data without consent for profit. | Medium | Enforce data protection regulations, opt-out mechanisms. | Users of Online Services |
| Insider Threat | Employees or associates who misuse their access for malicious intents. | High | Conduct background checks, monitor user activities. | Organizations |
| Physical Theft | Theft of devices containing personal information. | High | Implement physical security measures, lock devices. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Account Takeover | Gaining unauthorized access to a user's account and taking control. | High | Use multi-factor authentication, monitor account activity. | Online Accounts |
| Unsecured Wi-Fi | Accessing public Wi-Fi networks can expose data to theft. | Medium | Use VPN, avoid sensitive transactions on public networks. | Individuals, Travelers |
| Online Social Networks | Information shared can be exploited for identity theft. | Medium | Limit personal information sharing. | Individuals, Social Media Users |
| Tax Identity Theft | Using someone else's identity to file taxes and claim refunds. | High | File taxes early, monitor credit reports. | Individuals, Taxpayers |
| Child Identity Theft | Identity theft targeting children, often unnoticed for years. | High | Monitor children's credit, lock their credit files. | Parents, Guardians |
| Business Identity Theft | Using a company's name to obtain credit or services. | High | Monitor business credit, regularly review accounts. | Businesses |
| Pharming | Redirecting users from legitimate websites to fraudulent ones. | High | Use domain verification, educate users. | Online Users |
| Data Selling | Selling user data without consent, violating privacy laws. | Medium | Enforce transparency, provide data opt-out options. | Online Platforms |
| Credential Harvesting | Gathering usernames and passwords through deceptive means. | High | Implement strong passwords, use password managers. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Fake Charities | Impersonating charities to solicit donations for personal gain. | Medium | Research charities, verify legitimacy before donating. | Donors, Individuals |
| Pretexting | Creating a false scenario to steal personal information. | High | Verify caller identity, be cautious with personal data. | Individuals, Employees |
| Online Auction Scams | Fraudulent sellers misrepresenting items for sale. | Medium | Buy from reputable platforms, read reviews. | Online Shoppers |
| Pump and Dump Scams | Manipulating stock prices and then selling to make profit. | Medium | Conduct thorough research on stocks before investing. | Investors |
| Data Leakage | Accidental exposure of sensitive information due to poor security practices. | Medium | Implement data loss prevention solutions, regular training. | Businesses |
| Spyware on Public Devices | Installing spyware on shared or public computers to steal data. | High | Avoid entering sensitive information on public devices. | Public Device Users |
| Carding | Using stolen card details to make fraudulent purchases. | High | Monitor account statements, report suspicious activity. | Online Shoppers |
| Malicious Apps | Apps designed to steal personal information under the guise of functionality. | High | Only download from reputable sources, check app permissions. | Smartphone Users |
| Browser Hijacking | Redirecting browsers to malicious sites without user consent. | Medium | Use trusted antivirus, reset browser settings. | Web Users |
| Unpatched Software | Exploiting known vulnerabilities in software that hasn't been updated. | High | Regularly update all software and systems. | Individuals, Organizations |
| Social Media Scams | Using social media to deceive individuals into giving up personal information. | Medium | Be cautious about sharing information online. | Social Media Users |
| Email Spoofing | Faking the sender's email address to trick the recipient. | High | Verify email sources, use email authentication protocols. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Online Dating Scams | Fraudulent individuals using dating platforms to gain trust and steal money. | Medium | Be cautious with sharing sensitive information online. | Online Daters |
| SMS Phishing (Smishing) | Using SMS messages to trick users into giving information. | High | Be wary of unexpected text messages, verify links. | Mobile Users |
| Fake Reviews | Posting false reviews for products or services to deceive customers. | Medium | Research products from multiple sources, verify reviews. | Consumers, Online Shoppers |
| Website Vulnerabilities | Exploiting weaknesses in a website to steal data. | High | Regularly test and patch web applications. | Website Owners, E-commerce Sites |
| Impersonation on Social Media | Creating fake profiles to impersonate others and manipulate friends. | Medium | Monitor social media accounts for unauthorized access. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Fake Invoices | Sending fraudulent invoices to trick businesses into making payments. | Medium | Verify invoices with the sender before payment. | Businesses |
| Remote Access Trojans (RATs) | Malware that allows a hacker remote access to a system. | High | Use firewalls, regularly scan systems for malware. | Individuals, Organizations |
| Employee Phishing | Using targeted phishing attempts against employees to obtain internal information. | High | Conduct regular phishing simulations and training. | Organizations |
| Website Cloning | Creating an exact replica of a website to deceive users. | High | Check site certificates, avoid entering personal data. | Individuals, Online Users |
| Unsecured Data Storage | Storing sensitive data improperly leading to exposure. | High | Use encryption and secure access controls. | Businesses |
| Payroll Fraud | Manipulating payroll systems to divert payments to unauthorized individuals. | High | Regular audits and verifications of payroll processes. | Organizations |
| Social Security Number (SSN) Theft | Stealing SSNs to open fraudulent accounts or secure benefits. | High | Monitor SSN usage, consider a credit freeze. | Individuals |
| Wi-Fi Eavesdropping | Intercepting information transmitted over unsecured Wi-Fi networks. | High | Use VPNs when on public networks. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Public Records Access | Exploiting publicly available records for identity theft. | Medium | Limit availability of sensitive public records. | Governments, Organizations |
| Complexity Attacks | Using sophisticated methods to exploit flaws in systems. | High | Employ advanced security measures and AI-driven monitoring. | Large Organizations |
| Vishing (Voice Phishing) | Scammers making phone calls to manipulate victims into revealing information. | High | Protect personal info, verify source of calls. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Cloud Security Breaches | Exploiting vulnerabilities in cloud services to steal data. | High | Use trusted cloud services, regular security assessments. | Businesses, Individuals |
| SIM Card Cloning | Duplicating a SIM card to gain access to a victim's phone lines. | High | Monitor for unusual activities on accounts. | Individuals |
| Credit Card Information Theft | Stealing credit card details to make unauthorized transactions. | High | Use secure payment methods, monitor transactions. | Consumers |
| Extortion Scams | Threatening to release sensitive information unless a ransom is paid. | High | Report threats to authorities, maintain privacy. | Individuals, Organizations |
| Internet of Things (IoT) Vulnerabilities | Exploiting poorly secured IoT devices to access networks. | High | Secure all IoT devices, implement network segmentation. | Homes, Businesses |
| Presidential Scams | Frauds impersonating authorities to extract information. | Medium | Educate about verification processes, report scams. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Pump-and-Dump Cryptocurrency Scams | Manipulating cryptocurrency values and profiting by selling high. | Medium | Research investments thoroughly, avoid hasty decisions. | Investors |
| Tech Support Scams | Fraudulent calls pretending to be from tech support to gain access to systems. | Medium | Verify identity before sharing information or allowing access. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Authentication Bypass | Exploiting vulnerabilities to bypass authentication mechanisms. | High | Regular criminal audits and updates to security protocols. | Web Services |
| DNS Spoofing | Redirecting DNS queries to a fraudulent site. | High | Implement security measures on DNS servers, use DNSSEC. | Online Users |
| Phishing Kits | Selling ready-made frameworks for executing phishing attacks. | High | Educate users and implement strong security protocols. | Individuals, Businesses |
| Online Surveys Scams | Collecting personal data through fraudulent surveys. | Medium | Avoid providing sensitive information, skeptical of surveys. | Online Users |
| Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Scams | Deceiving users through deceptive SEO techniques. | Medium | Use trusted SEO practitioners, verify results carefully. | Businesses |
| Referral Scams | Referencing fake programs or deals to gather personal data. | Medium | Research offers carefully, verify through official channels. | Online Consumers |
| Ad Fraud | Exploiting online ads to generate fraudulent clicks or views. | Medium | Use reputable ad networks, monitor ad performance closely. | Advertisers |
| Logic Bombs | Code that triggers malicious activity under specific conditions. | High | Conduct thorough code audits, secure development practices. | Software Developers |
| Fake Jobs | Posting non-existent job opportunities to collect personal information. | Medium | Verify job postings, research companies before applying. | Job Seekers |
| Deepfake Technology | Using AI to create realistic fake images or sounds to deceive individuals. | High | Educate about deepfakes, verify with trusted sources. | Public Figures, Individuals |
| Dumpster Diving | Searching through garbage for sensitive information. | Low | Shred documents before disposal, use secure disposal methods. | Individuals, Organizations |
| Online Gaming Scams | Manipulating gamers into disclosing personal information or money. | Medium | Be cautious in gaming environments, verify players' identities. | Gamers |
| Investment Scams | Fraudulent schemes that promise abnormally high returns. | High | Research investment opportunities thoroughly, be skeptic of high returns. | Investors |
| Phony Tech Updates | Fraudulent updates trick users into downloading malware. | High | Use official sources for updates, confirm updates before installation. | Individuals |
| Personal Information Auctions | Illegally selling stolen personal data online. | High | Regularly monitor credit reports, implement fraud alerts. | Individuals |
| Counterfeit Products | Selling fake or substandard products under a brand name. | Medium | Buy from authorized retailers, check product authenticity. | Consumers |
| Application Layer DDoS Attacks | Overloading servers with traffic to render them unresponsive. | High | Implement rate limiting and traffic analysis. | Web Services |
| Corporate Espionage | Stealing sensitive corporate information for competitive advantage. | High | Implement robust internal security policies, training. | Businesses |
| Fake Antivirus Software | Malware disguised as antivirus tools to steal information. | High | Use reputable antivirus programs, avoid unknown software. | Individuals |
| Forms of Identity Fraud | Using an individual's personal information for fraudulent purposes. | High | Monitor credit, regularly change passwords, use fraud alerts. | Individuals |
| Trojans | Malicious software disguised as legitimate software. | High | Use reliable security software, avoid untrusted downloads. | Individuals, Organizations |
| Internet Scams | Broad category encompassing various online fraud schemes. | High | Exercise caution online, verify sources of information. | Consumers |
| Chain Letters | Soliciting personal information under the guise of a letter. | Medium | Avoid responding to chain letters, recognize scams. | Individuals |
| Phantom Warehousing | Falsifying charges for nonexistent warehouses to steal money. | Medium | Verify warehousing agreements, audit logistics regularly. | Shippers, Businesses |
| Identity Cloning | Stealing an individual's identity and impersonating them in daily life. | High | Monitor identity closely, report suspicious activity. | Individuals |
| Online Auction Fraud | Fraud in bidding or trading goods and services online. | Medium | Use reputable auction sites, verify sellers. | Online Buyers |
| Multi-Level Marketing Scams | Using deceptive practices to solicit investments from unsuspecting individuals. | Medium | Research before investing, verify legitimacy. | Investors |