Top 9 ways how hackers hack any system

Hackers are relentless. They are constantly finding new ways to breach computer systems and networks. But how do they do it? 

In this blog post, we will reveal the top 9 ways that hackers hack any system. We will also provide actionable advice on how to protect your systems from these attacks. 

So, let us get started and learn how to keep your systems safe from hackers!

How hackers hack any system. Here are the top 9 ways:

1. Phishing

Have you ever been the victim of a phishing attack? Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering attack where hackers trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. They can do this through email, SMS, or even social media. 

How phishing attacks work 

In a typical phishing attack, you will receive a message that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as your bank or credit card company. The message will often contain a link to a fake website that looks identical to the real website. When you click on the link and enter your personal information, the hacker can steal it. 

Examples of how hackers hack any system using phishing attacks:

• A hacker sends you an email that appears to be from your bank. The email claims that there has been a suspicious transaction on your account and asks you to click on a link to verify your account information. 
• A hacker sends you a text message that appears to be from your credit card company. The text message claims that your credit card has been blocked due to fraudulent activity and asks you to click on a link to update your billing information. 
• A hacker creates a fake social media profile that looks like the profile of a legitimate company. The hacker then uses this profile to send messages to people, asking them for personal information. 

How to protect yourself from phishing attacks: 

• Be wary of any email or message that asks for personal information. If you are not sure if the message is legitimate, contact the company directly. 
• Never click on links in emails or messages from unknown senders. 
• If you do click on a link, hover over it first to see the actual URL. If the URL does not match the website it is supposed to link to, do not enter any information. 
• Keep your software up to date, including your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software. This will help to protect you from known vulnerabilities. 

If you think you may have been a victim of a phishing attack, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. You should also change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts.

2. Malware

How hackers hack any system using Malware? They can do this by tricking you into clicking on a malicious link or opening an attachment, by compromising a website or app that you use, or by physically accessing your computer. 

Hackers can deliver malware to your system in a number of ways, including: 

• Phishing attacks: Phishing emails are designed to trick you into clicking on malicious links or opening attachments. 
• Drive-by downloads: Drive-by downloads occur when you visit a website that is infected with malware. The malware is then automatically downloaded to your system. 
• USB drives: Hackers can also use USB drives to spread malware. When you insert an infected USB drive into your computer, the malware can be installed and executed. 

Once malware is installed on your system, it can be used to carry out a variety of attacks. For example, hackers can use malware to steal your passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. They can also use malware to disrupt your operations by deleting or corrupting files or by launching denial-of-service attacks. 

Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from malware: 

• Be careful about what links you click on and what attachments you open: Phishing emails are one of the most common ways that malware is delivered. If you receive an email from an unknown sender or an email that seems suspicious, do not click on any links, or open any attachments. 
• Keep your software up to date: Software vendors regularly release security updates to patch vulnerabilities. It is important to install these updates as soon as they are available. 
• Use antivirus and anti-malware software: Antivirus and anti-malware software can detect and remove malware from your system. It is important to keep this software up to date and to run regular scans. 
• Be aware of social engineering attacks: Social engineering attacks involve tricking you into revealing personal information or performing actions that could compromise your security. For example, a hacker might call you pretending to be from your bank and ask for your account number. Or they might send you a text message pretending to be from your shipping company and ask you to click on a link to track your package. If you receive a communication that seems suspicious, do not respond to it. 
• Implement security measures at your physical location: If you have a work computer, make sure that it is kept in a secure location and that it is password protected. If you have a home computer, make sure that it is protected by a firewall and that you use strong passwords for all your accounts. 

3. Zero-day exploits

You can think of a zero-day exploit as a “secret door” that hackers can use to break into your system. It is a vulnerability in a software program that the software vendor does not know about yet. This means that there is no patch available to fix the vulnerability, and how hackers hack any system using Zero-day exploits before the vendor has a chance to do anything. 

Hackers can use zero-day exploits to attack any system, regardless of its size or security posture. They often target high-profile organizations, such as governments and corporations, because these organizations have valuable data and resources. 

Zero-day exploits are a serious threat to your security. Hackers can use them to attack your system before you have a chance to patch the vulnerability. However, there are a number of things that you can do to reduce your risk of being attacked: 

• Use security solutions that can detect and block zero-day attacks: There are several security solutions that can detect and block zero-day attacks, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS). It is important to keep these security solutions up to date and to configure them properly.
  
• Implement security best practices, such as least privilege and network segmentation: Least privilege is a security principle that states that users should only have the permissions they need to perform their job. Network segmentation is a security practice that divides a network into smaller segments to prevent the spread of malware. 
• Educate your employees about security best practices: Your employees are your first line of protection against cyber-attacks. Make sure that they are educated about security best practices, such as how to identify phishing emails and how to create strong passwords. 

Here are some examples of how hackers hack any system using zero-day exploits in the real world: 

• In 2017, hackers used a zero-day exploit in the Windows operating system to launch the WannaCry ransomware attack. WannaCry infected millions of computers around the world and caused billions of dollars in damage. 
• In 2018, hackers used a zero-day exploit in the Chrome web browser to launch a series of attacks on cryptocurrency exchanges. These attacks resulted in the theft of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. 
• In 2021, hackers used a zero-day exploit in the Microsoft Exchange email server to launch a series of attacks on government agencies and businesses around the world. These attacks resulted in the theft of sensitive data and the disruption of operations. 

4. SQL injection

Have you ever wondered how hackers hack any system and steal data from websites and web applications? One of the most common ways is through SQL injection attacks. 

SQL injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in SQL databases. SQL databases are used to store data for many popular websites and web applications, such as e-commerce websites, social media platforms, and online banking websites. 

Hackers can inject malicious SQL code into a web form or input field. If the web application is vulnerable to SQL injection, the malicious SQL code will be executed against the database. This is how hackers hack any system using SQL injection to steal data, modify data, or even delete data from the database. 

Here is an example of how hackers hack any system using SQL injection attack: 

A hacker visits a website that is vulnerable to SQL injection. The hacker injects the following SQL code into the login form: 

‘ OR 1=1 — 

When a user tries to log in, the malicious SQL code is executed. This allows the hacker to see the login credentials of all users, even if they do not know the password. 

The hacker can then use this information to steal users’ identities, commit fraud, or even blackmail them. 

SQL injection attacks are a serious threat to any website or web application that uses a SQL database. you are at risk of SQL injection attacks if you do not take steps and understand how hackers hack any system. Here are some tips to help you stay safe: 

• Use parameterized queries: This will separate your input from the SQL query, making it much more difficult for hackers to inject malicious code. 
• Validate user input: This means checking all input for things like unexpected characters and invalid formatting. 
• Use a web application firewall (WAF): A WAF can help to protect your web application from a variety of attacks, including SQL injection attacks. 

5. Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Have you ever clicked on a link in an email or social media post and ended up on a website that you did not recognize? Or have you ever visited a website and suddenly started seeing advertisements or being redirected to other websites? 

If so, you may have been the victim of a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. XSS attacks allow hackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into web pages. When you visit a web page that is vulnerable to XSS, the malicious JavaScript code is executed in your browser. This is how hackers hack any system and gives the hacker control over your browser, which they can use to steal your cookies, deface web pages, or even redirect you to malicious websites. 

Here is an example of how hackers hack any system using XSS: 

• A hacker visits a website that is vulnerable to XSS. 
• The hacker injects malicious JavaScript code into a comment on the website. 
• You visit the website and view the comment. 
• The malicious JavaScript code is executed in your browser, which gives the hacker control over your browser. 

That is how hackers hack any system and can then use your browser to steal your cookies, deface web pages, or even redirect you to malicious websites. 

How to protect yourself from XSS attacks: 

• Only visit websites and web applications from trusted sources. 
• Be careful about what information you enter web forms and input fields. 
• Keep your web browser and operating system up to date with the latest security patches. 

6. Password attacks

Password attacks are a hacker’s favorite tool. They are simple, yet effective. All they need is a list of passwords, and they can start trying them out one by one until they find the right one. 

You should be aware that password attacks are attempts to guess or crack your passwords. Hackers can use a variety of methods to carry out password attacks, including: 

• Brute-force attacks: These attacks involve trying every password combination until the correct password is found. Brute-force attacks can be very time-consuming, but they can be successful if your password is weak. 
• Dictionary attacks: These attacks involve trying common words and phrases as passwords. Dictionary attacks are often successful because many people use weak passwords that are easy to guess. 
• Rainbow table attacks: Rainbow tables are pre-computed tables of hash values that can be used to crack passwords quickly. Rainbow table attacks can be highly effective, but they require a large amount of computing power. 

Hackers can use password attacks to gain access to any system that is protected by a password, including your computer system, web servers, and email accounts. Once a hacker has gained access to your system, they can steal your data, install malware, or even take control of your system. 

How to protect yourself from password attacks: 

• Use strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Strong passwords are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. 
• Avoid using common words and phrases as passwords. 
• Do not use the same password for multiple accounts. 
• Use a password manager to help you create and manage strong passwords. 
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password. 

Here is a bonus tip: Think like a hacker. When you are creating passwords, try to think about what a hacker would try to guess. Avoid using personal information, such as your name, birthday, or address. You should also avoid using common words and phrases. 

7. Man-in-the-middle attacks

Imagine you are having a secret conversation with your friend, but someone is eavesdropping. That is what a man-in-the-middle attack is. A hacker intercepts your communication and impersonates one of you, tricking you both into thinking you are talking to each other. 

Hackers can use man-in-the-middle attacks to steal your data, modify your data, or even redirect you to malicious websites. Man-in-the-middle attacks are often carried out by exploiting vulnerabilities in wireless networks. However, they can also be carried out over wired networks. 

Here is an example of how hackers hack any system using man-in-the-middle: 

• You are at a coffee shop, and you connect to the public Wi-Fi network. 
• A hacker has set up a fake Wi-Fi network with the same name as the coffee shop’s Wi-Fi network. 
• You connect to the hacker’s fake Wi-Fi network. 
• The hacker can now intercept all the traffic between you and the internet. 
• The hacker can steal your data, modify your data, or even redirect you to malicious websites. 

How to protect yourself from man-in-the-middle attacks: 

• Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. 
• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. 
• Use HTTPS whenever possible. 

8. Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks

Imagine you are running a business, and your website is suddenly bombarded with so much traffic that it crashes. You are losing customers and money, and you have no idea why. This is what a denial-of-service (DoS) attack is all about. 

DoS attacks are a type of cyberattack that aims to make a system or network unavailable to its intended users. Hackers can do this by flooding the system or network with traffic or by sending it invalid requests. 

Here is an analogy: imagine you are trying to place an order at a restaurant, but the phone lines are jammed by a caller who is constantly placing fake orders. You cannot get through, and the restaurant is overwhelmed. A DoS attack works in a similar way, but instead of phone lines, hackers are flooding the system or network with traffic. 

This is how hackers hack any system using DoS attacks. These can be very disruptive and expensive for businesses and organizations. In some cases, they can even cause physical damage to systems. 

Here are a few examples of how hackers can use DoS attacks to wreak havoc: 

• Take down a website or web application. This can prevent users from accessing the website or web application, or it can cause it to perform poorly. 
• Take down a network. This can prevent users from accessing the network or from using the network resources. 
• Take down a server. This can prevent the server from providing its services to users. 
• Disrupt a business operation. For example, a hacker could use a DoS attack to take down a company’s website or network, which could prevent the company from doing business. 

DoS attacks are a serious threat to any organization with an online presence. But there are several things that organizations can do to protect themselves, such as using firewalls, load balancers, and content delivery networks. 

 Be careful about what links you click on and what attachments you open. Some DoS attacks can be carried out by sending malicious links or attachments to users. If you are not sure about something, do not click on it. 

By being aware how hackers hack any system and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help to keep your systems and networks safe from DoS attacks. 

9. Supply chain attacks

Imagine a scenario where you are a CEO of a major tech company. You have invested millions of dollars in cybersecurity, and you are confident that your systems are impregnable. But what if a hacker could bypass your security by targeting one of your suppliers? 

This is exactly how supply chain attacks work. Hackers target organizations through their suppliers, compromising their systems and networks to gain access to the target organization’s systems and networks. 

Supply chain attacks are becoming increasingly common, and they can be very difficult to detect and prevent. This is because organizations may not be aware that their suppliers have been compromised. 

Here is an example of how hackers hack any system using supply chain attacks:

1. A hacker targets a software vendor that supplies software to many different organizations. 
2. The hacker compromises the vendor’s system and injects malicious code into the vendor’s software. 
3. When organizations install the vendor’s software, the malicious code is installed on their systems. 
4. The hacker can then exploit the malicious code to gain access to the organizations’ systems and networks. 

Supply chain attacks can be very damaging. Hackers can use them to steal data, install malware, or even take control of systems. 

Here is an interesting story about a supply chain attack: 

In 2017, Russian hackers compromised the software supply chain of SolarWinds, a major provider of IT management software. The hackers injected malicious code into SolarWinds’ Orion software, which is used by thousands of organizations around the world. The malicious code was then installed on the systems of SolarWinds’ customers, including the US government and several Fortune 500 companies. 

The SolarWinds supply chain attack is one of the most sophisticated and damaging cyberattacks in history. It showed how hackers hack any system and exploit supply chains to gain access to the systems of even the most well-protected organizations. 

How to protect your systems from supply chain attacks: 

• Carefully vet your suppliers. Make sure that you are only working with suppliers that have a good reputation for security. 
• Require your suppliers to meet certain security standards. This could include things like having a SOC 2 Type II certification or implementing multi-factor authentication. 
• Monitor your systems for suspicious activity. This could include things like looking for unusual traffic patterns or spikes in login attempts. 
• Have a plan in place to respond to supply chain attacks. This plan should include steps for identifying and isolating compromised systems, as well as steps for recovering from the attack. 

Here is a bonus tip: Use a security information and event management (SIEM) system. A SIEM system can help you to detect and respond to supply chain attacks by monitoring your systems and networks for suspicious activity. 

Conclusion

While hackers may have the upper hand in terms of resources and technological knowledge, we can still protect ourselves by being vigilant and taking the necessary precautions. By understanding how hackers hack any system and the common methods they use, we can make it more difficult for them to succeed. 

Remember, hackers are only as successful as we allow them to be. By taking steps to protect ourselves and our systems, we can reduce the risk of becoming victims of cybercrime. Finally, remember that the best way to defend against hackers is to be proactive. Stay informed about the latest threats and take steps to protect your system before it is attacked.