Have you ever seen a mail that did not feel right? It might look real, but it will ask for important facts or urge you to click some odd link. That’s how most hacks start — not with loud signs, but with a soft trick.
Modern connectivity has transformed cyberattacks into genuine threats that target users and businesses along with governmental institutions and technology corporations across India. Cybersecurity has evolved from being optional to becoming essential because both students who browse Wi-Fi networks and businesses which share files in the cloud need it.
To stay safe, it’s important to understand the answer to questions like ‘Which of the following is a type of cyber attack?’, how each one works, and how to guard against them. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a manager protecting your organisation, or a learner pursuing a cybersecurity course, this blog gives you real-world insights with practical knowledge, types of attacks in cyber security and expert-backed awareness.
What Are Cyber Attacks and Why Do They Happen?
A cyberattack takes place when someone carries out an unauthorised action against computer systems, putting the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of their data at risk. Digital attacks cause two major impacts: they interrupt business procedures and release private data and money and cause reputation damage.
The Most Common Types of Cyber Attacks Explained
Each of the types of cyber attacks comes with its own trick.
Let’s break down the different types of cyber attacks with facts you can link to real life in India:
1. Phishing: The Hook That Catches Many
Phishing is one of the worst and most used hacks. The crook tricks the one who reads the mail or text to click links, send files, or give out facts — like bank or card info.
In India: In India, attackers often disguise themselves as banks or government services like the Income Tax Department, leading users to submit Aadhaar, PAN, or bank details.
How to stop: Check who sent the mail. Don’t click links you don’t trust. Use mail check tools and set two-step locks.
2. Ransomware: Pay Up or Lose All
Ransomware locks your files and asks for cash to give them back. This is one of the most financially damaging types of attacks in cyber security right now.
In India: Hackers hit health firms and local governments. Their tools got stuck, and work stopped for days.
How to stop: Back up your files. Run fresh updates. Don’t use files or apps from sites you don’t trust.
3. DDoS Attacks: Digital Blockades
A DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack floods a server or website with traffic, causing it to crash or become unusable. This hack blocks sites and slows down work.
In India: E-commerce platforms and edtech portals in India have faced DDoS attacks during major sales or enrolment periods.
How to stop: Use tools made to stop DDoS. Use load tools like CDN to share the site’s load and keep it live.
4. Man-in-the-Middle: The One Who Hears It All
In these attacks, the hacker positions themselves between two parties (say, a user and a website) to intercept and possibly alter data in transit — all without the user knowing.
In India: These hacks hit users who use free Wi-Fi at cafes, train spots, or malls.
How to stop: Don’t use free Wi-Fi to do important work. Use safe links (HTTPS) or a VPN to protect your path.
5. SQL Injection: Code That Cuts Through
SQL injections target databases through insecure inputs — often on websites with login forms. Attackers inject malicious SQL code that lets them access or delete critical data.
In India: Indian edtech platforms and job portals with large user databases are often at risk if proper input validation isn’t enforced.
How to stop: Lock the code to prevent changes from the form. Test it and run scans on your site.
| Attack | Who It Hits | Big Risk | How to Stay Safe |
| Phishing | All net users | Leak of facts, ID theft | Check links, use mail tools |
| Ransomware | Health, Govt, SMEs | Loss of files, high costs | Backups, safe apps |
| DDoS | Big online sites | Site crash | Use CDN, guard tools |
| MitM | Wi-Fi users | Spy on chats, data theft | Use HTTPS, use VPN |
| SQL Injection | Sites with logins | File leaks or loss | Form checks, safe code |
Why Cybersecurity Awareness is Crucial in India Right Now
India is rapidly digitising — from startups to government portals — and with that comes a sharp rise in different types of cyber attacks. Out of the 1.39 million cybersecurity incidents that CERT-In addressed, the agency handled the highest number by mitigating vulnerable services, totalling 875,892 cases.
Whether you’re leading a company, freelancing, or just using digital tools daily, knowing which of the following is a type of cyber attack and how to guard against it is important.
More importantly, professionals who complete a certified cybersecurity course can tap into a growing job market — with roles like Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, and Cyber Risk Consultant seeing high demand.
Practical Tips to Prevent Common Cyber Attacks
- Use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly
- Turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible
- Don’t reuse passwords across platforms
- Update your devices and software as soon as updates are available
- Back up your data on a secure, offline system
- Educate your team or peers — awareness is the first line of defence
Advance Your Cybersecurity Leadership with Oxford and Imarticus Learning
Imarticus Learning, with Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, brings you the top-tier Oxford Cybersecurity for Business Leaders Programme — a hands-on course built for sharp minds. This high-grade course gives heads from all fields the tools and skills they need to deal with the hard risks of hacks and threats.
Trainees will learn Oxford’s tried and true cyber plan and use it to make smart steps to block top threats like scam mail, bad code, and lock hacks. The Oxford Cybersecurity for Business Leaders Programme runs on Oxford’s top web learning space, built to give a rich, smooth, and strong way to learn.
As you go on, you will join the Oxford Elumni group — a proud worldwide group of 36,000 participants from 176 countries, with the chance to meet and share at the Elumni yearly meet-up. Made for those who want to shape their group’s cyber goals, this course brings you side by side with peers from all walks of work and builds strong talks that help you grow a plan to win in the long run.
Enrol now to gain Oxford’s prestigious Elumni status and elevate your expertise with Imarticus Learning!
FAQs
- Which of the following is the type of cyber attack that hits most in India?
Phishing is one of the top types of attacks in cyber security, and it is most often emails from banks or government bodies.
- Can a cybersecurity course help with real-world threats?
Yes. A good cybersecurity course helps you spot, stop, and fix hacks with hands-on work and case tasks.
- Why is phishing one of the worst types of cyber attacks?
Phishing relies on human error & bypasses tech based safeguards. It spreads fast and often leads to major data breaches.
- Do small firms face different types of cyber-attacks?
Yes. Most small firms get hit with spam, file locks, and fake link hacks — all different types of cyber attacks.
- What is the best way to stop cyber hacks like these?
Learn the signs, use strong passcodes, and join a full cybersecurity course that teaches practical detection methods like network scanning.
6. Is social engineering also a type of cyber attack?
Yes. In fact, social engineering is one of the most deceptive types of cyber attacks, as it tricks users into compromising their own security.