There is no doubt that cyber attacks are becoming more and more prevalent. According to Vulnerability and Threat Trends Report 2024, there has been a 17% year-over-year increase in reported vulnerabilities, and the annual average cost of cybercrime will hit more than $23 trillion dollars in 2027.
While there are many tools and technologies that have been designed to intercept and mitigate common cyber attacks, the best defense is for companies and employees to educate themselves and practice principles of solid cyber security in the workplace. In this article, we’ll unpack common cyber attacks encountered in the workplace and explain how to defend your business against them.
Common Cybersecurity Threats
A cyberattack is a deliberate and malicious attempt by individuals or groups to breach the digital security of an organization, individual, or system. The primary goal of a cyberattack is to disrupt operations, steal sensitive data, gain unauthorized access to systems, or exploit vulnerabilities for financial, political, or personal gain. Here are some of the most common cyber attacks deployed against businesses in 2025 and beyond:
1. Phishing
Phishing attacks are among the most common cybersecurity threats, with some experts suggesting that as many as 1.2% of all emails sent are malicious. That equates to 3.4 billion phishing emails sent every day.
These attacks involve fraudulent communications—often disguised as legitimate emails from trusted sources—to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, or company data.
Phishing emails often employ social engineering tactics, using urgency (“Your account will be locked unless…”), fear (“You’ve been hacked—reset your password now”), or curiosity (“You’ve won a gift card!”) to manipulate victims into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful attachments. Variations like spear phishing (targeting specific individuals or departments) and whaling (targeting high-level executives) make these threats even more dangerous.
A successful attack may lead to data breaches that expose confidential company or customer information, financial losses (through direct theft or penalties), and reputational damage (which could erode customer trust).
2. Malware
Malware—a broad term for malicious software such as viruses, ransomware, spyware, and worms—is one of the most common cyber attacks encountered in the workplace. There are more than 190,000 new malware attacks every second, closely related to phishing. Once malware infiltrates a system, it can:
- Steal sensitive data.
- Encrypt files (as in ransomware attacks) and demand payment for their release.
- Spy on user activities, potentially exposing business-critical information.
Malware can enter a network through phishing emails, malicious downloads, USB drives, or even compromised websites. Ransomware, in particular, has become increasingly prevalent, targeting businesses of all sizes and often demanding cryptocurrency payments to decrypt vital files.
The consequences of a malware attack include operational disruptions, financial losses, and the erosion of trust with customers or stakeholders. Businesses may also face regulatory penalties if they fail to safeguard sensitive data.
3. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is a type of cyber attack encountered in the workplace that disrupts business operations by overwhelming a network, server, or website with a flood of false requests. The goal is to make the system inaccessible to legitimate users. In some cases, attackers use distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, leveraging botnets to amplify the volume of traffic.
DoS attacks are often launched to damage a company’s reputation, disrupt its services, or extort money. For example, an attacker might demand a ransom to stop the attack, placing businesses under significant pressure.
These attacks can result in a loss of revenue due to downtime, damaged reputation as customers lose trust in the company’s reliability, and increased costs for mitigation and enhanced security measures.
How to Prevent Cyber Attacks
Cyberattacks like phishing, malware, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks are among the most common and damaging threats businesses face today. Preventing these attacks requires a combination of proactive employee training, robust technical solutions, and secure data-handling practices. In this guide, we’ll explore practical measures to mitigate these threats, focusing on prevention strategies and innovative solutions for secure data destruction.
How to Prevent Cyber Attacks Like Phishing
Phishing involves fraudulent communications designed to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information. These attacks are particularly dangerous in the workplace, as they can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. Key prevention technologies include:
- Employee Training: Conduct regular training sessions to educate staff on recognizing phishing attempts. Employees should learn to spot red flags such as suspicious email addresses, urgent requests for sensitive information, and unexpected attachments.
- Email Filtering: Implement advanced email security tools to automatically block suspicious messages and flag potential phishing attempts.
- Verification Protocols: Encourage employees to verify unusual requests for payments or sensitive data through a secondary communication method, such as a phone call or in-person confirmation.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to accounts by requiring multiple forms of verification, such as a password and a mobile authentication code.
Even with preventive measures, phishing attacks can sometimes succeed, leading to compromised devices and data. This risk can be mitigated through physical data destruction. HDD and SSD shredders render storage media completely unreadable, ensuring no sensitive data can be retrieved. By securely destroying devices within your premises, companies eliminate the risk of intercepted disposal processes, protecting your business from additional vulnerabilities.
Pro Tip: Partnering with a reliable data destruction company ensures that even if phishing compromises your systems, any recovered devices won’t pose further risks.
How to Prevent Cyber Attacks Involving Malware
Malware includes harmful software like viruses, ransomware, and spyware, which can infiltrate networks, steal data, and disrupt operations. Preventing malware attacks requires a combination of technical and procedural defenses. The best way to protect your business against cyber attacks include:
- Up-to-date Software: Regularly update operating systems, antivirus programs, and applications to patch vulnerabilities that malware can exploit.
- Endpoint Protection: Equip all devices with comprehensive security solutions, including firewalls, anti-malware software, and intrusion detection systems.
- User Access Control: Limit user privileges to reduce the risk of malware spreading throughout the network. Employees should only have access to the systems and data they need for their roles.
- Backup Protocols: Maintain regular, encrypted backups of critical data. In the event of a ransomware attack, secure backups can help you restore operations without paying a ransom.
Bear in mind that Infected devices can continue to harm businesses if not securely destroyed. Malware-compromised hard drives and other storage media can be used to extract sensitive data or reintroduce malicious software into the network.
Media disintegrators destroy all forms of media, leaving nothing behind for cybercriminals to exploit. Secure degaussers erase magnetic data from tapes and drives, eliminating malware traces and preventing reactivation.
Prevention Tip: Regularly audit your data storage devices and securely destroy obsolete or compromised hardware to prevent malware from spreading through discarded media.
How to Prevent Cyber Attacks Like DoS
A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack aims to overwhelm a network or system with excessive traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users. DoS attacks disrupt operations and can leave businesses vulnerable to secondary threats, such as data breaches. Businesses can defend against DoS attacks through strategies like:
- Load Balancing: Distribute network traffic across multiple servers to handle sudden spikes more effectively, reducing the risk of a DoS attack overwhelming your system.
- DDoS Mitigation Tools: Use specialized services that monitor and filter out malicious traffic in real time.
- Incident Response Plan: Develop a clear plan for detecting, mitigating, and recovering from DoS attacks. A well-prepared team can minimize downtime and financial losses.
- Strong Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems: Block suspicious traffic before it reaches your network, preventing attackers from achieving their objectives.
While DoS attacks primarily disrupt operations, secure data handling remains critical to post-attack recovery and preventing further exploitation. Inadequate data disposal practices can leave businesses vulnerable to breaches following a DoS incident.
Make sure that whichever data destruction devices you use meet stringent data protection regulations, safeguarding their reputation even during cyber disruptions.
Prevent Cyber Attacks With Innovative Solutions From Phiston Technologies
Preventing common cybersecurity threats like phishing, malware, and DoS is not just about defending against external threats. It’s also about addressing internal vulnerabilities, such as improperly disposed storage devices containing sensitive data.
Preventing cyberattacks requires a multi-layered approach combining employee training, robust technical defenses, and secure data handling practices. At Phiston Technologies, we provide businesses with the tools and expertise to close these security gaps:
- Innovative Proprietary Technology: Our state-of-the-art devices are designed to meet the needs of various industries, ensuring comprehensive data protection.
- On-Site Security: By enabling secure data destruction within your premises, we eliminate risks associated with third-party handling of sensitive media.
- Regulatory Compliance: Our products help organizations adhere to strict data protection standards, minimizing legal and reputational risks.
- Versatile Solutions: From the MediaVise® HDD Destroyer to the MediaDice® Disintegrator, our devices offer scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes.
While phishing, malware, and DoS attacks remain persistent threats, proactive measures and innovative solutions like those offered by Phiston Technologies can significantly reduce your risk.
By investing in reliable data destruction solutions, you not only safeguard your business from potential breaches but also ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Browse our catalog today to protect your organization from the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.
