[Cyber Security Terms](/glossary) Cyber Attack [Blog](/blog)[Breaches](/breaches)[Resources](/resources)[News](/news) [Cyber Security Terms](/glossary) # Cyber Attack ##### [Edward Kost](/team/edward-kost) updated Jul 09, 2025 ###### Contents ## What is a Cyber Attack? A [cyber attack](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cyber-attack) is any unauthorized access to an IT network or digital devices for malicious purposes such as data theft, malware injection, or the initiation of additional attacks. Cyber attacks have been a threat since the dawn of the digital era. The first cyber attack occurred in 1989 by Joseph Popp. This was a ransomware attack that was spread with infected floppy disks and deployed through a malware called the AIDS trojan. Since then, many cyberattack methods have been developed and continue to be developed as the attack surface expands.  ## Common Types of Cyber Attacks * [Malware](https://www.upguard.com/blog/malware) * [Ransomware](https://www.upguard.com/blog/ransomware) * [Phishing](https://www.upguard.com/blog/phishing) * [Social Engineering](https://www.upguard.com/blog/social-engineering) * [Man-in-the-Middle Attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/man-in-the-middle-attack) * [Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/what-is-a-ddos-attack) * [Zero-Day Exploits](https://upguard.com/blog/zero-day) * [Domain Hijacking](https://www.upguard.com/blog/domain-hijacking)  * DNS Tunneling ## Key takeaways * Enabling multi-factor authentication is a quick and easy method of preventing many cyber attacks. * Modern cyberattack methods involve breaching third-party vendors to gain access to the private data of all of their clients. * Third-party software should be regularly updated to address any vulnerabilities that could facilitate data breaches. * * ###### Reviewed by No items found. ###### Author ##### [Edward Kost](/team/edward-kost) ###### Reviewed by ##### [Kaushik Sen](/team/kaushik-sen) ###### Join 27,000+ cybersecurity newsletter subscribers ## Read more about Cyber Attacks Learn more about Cyber Attack and the latest issues in cybersecurity. [UpGuard](/blog/threat-monitoring-superannuation-security) [Threat Monitoring for Superannuation Security](/blog/threat-monitoring-superannuation-security) #### [Threat Monitoring for Superannuation Security](/blog/threat-monitoring-superannuation-security) Attackers breached superannuation customer accounts with stolen credentials. We look at one way to detect compromised accounts sooner. [](/team/greg-pollock) [Greg Pollock](#) September 11, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/how-do-you-get-infected-by-ransomware) [How Do You Get Infected by Ransomware?](/blog/how-do-you-get-infected-by-ransomware) #### [How Do You Get Infected by Ransomware?](/blog/how-do-you-get-infected-by-ransomware) Learn how you can get infected by ransomware and how to prevent it. [](/team/kyle-chin) [Kyle Chin](#) December 1, 2025 [UpGuard](/blog/biggest-data-breaches-financial-services) [26 Biggest Data Breaches in Finance (Updated July 2026)](/blog/biggest-data-breaches-financial-services) #### [26 Biggest Data Breaches in Finance (Updated July 2026)](/blog/biggest-data-breaches-financial-services) This regularly updated list analyzes the biggest data breaches in the financial services sector. Learn the key errors that lead to each breach event. [](/team/edward-kost) [Edward Kost](#) September 22, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/biggest-cyber-threats-for-financial-services) [The 6 Biggest Cyber Threats for Financial Services in 2026](/blog/biggest-cyber-threats-for-financial-services) #### [The 6 Biggest Cyber Threats for Financial Services in 2026](/blog/biggest-cyber-threats-for-financial-services) Learn about the biggest cyber threats every financial service should be aware of in 2021 and how to successfully defend against them. [](/team/edward-kost) [Edward Kost](#) December 28, 2025 [UpGuard](/blog/ransomware-attacks-vs-data-breaches) [Ransomware Attacks Vs. Data Breaches: What's the Difference?](/blog/ransomware-attacks-vs-data-breaches) #### [Ransomware Attacks Vs. Data Breaches: What's the Difference?](/blog/ransomware-attacks-vs-data-breaches) Ransomware attacks are evolving into data breaches which could disrupt notification strategies. Learn the difference between the two cyberattacks. [](/team/edward-kost) [Edward Kost](#) June 30, 2025 [UpGuard](/blog/what-are-web-shell-attacks) [What are Web Shell Attacks? How to Protect Your Web Servers](/blog/what-are-web-shell-attacks) #### [What are Web Shell Attacks? How to Protect Your Web Servers](/blog/what-are-web-shell-attacks) Web shell attacks have doubled between 2021 and 2020. Learn about this threat and how to protect your web server. [](/team/edward-kost) [Edward Kost](#) December 10, 2025 [View all blog posts](/blog) ## See UpGuard In Action Book a free, personalized onboarding call with one of our cybersecurity experts. [Contact sales](/demo) [Free demo](/demo) ## More from our blog Learn more about the latest issues in cybersecurity. [UpGuard](/blog/find-out-if-youre-exposed-on-the-dark-web) [Find Out if You're Exposed on the Dark Web](/blog/find-out-if-youre-exposed-on-the-dark-web) #### [Find Out if You're Exposed on the Dark Web](/blog/find-out-if-youre-exposed-on-the-dark-web) Answer 5 quick questions to predict what a dark web scan will find about your company. Then run the free scan to see your real exposure. 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[](/team/revashni-moodley) [Revashni Moodley](#) October 14, 2026 [UpGuard](/blog/good-security-rating-your-dark-web-exposure-says-otherwise) [Good Security Rating? Your Dark Web Exposure Says Otherwise](/blog/good-security-rating-your-dark-web-exposure-says-otherwise) #### [Good Security Rating? Your Dark Web Exposure Says Otherwise](/blog/good-security-rating-your-dark-web-exposure-says-otherwise) Scan your domain to see just how exposed you are on the Dark Web. [](/team/lance-turner) [Lance Turner](#) October 11, 2026 [View all blog posts](/blog) ### Sign up for our newsletter UpGuard's monthly newsletter cuts through the noise and brings you what matters most: our breaking research, in-depth analysis of emerging threats, and actionable strategic insights. ##### Free instant security score ## How secure is your organization? 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