A cyber threat is any circumstance or event that could negatively impact an organization’s mission, functions, brand, reputation, and/or assets through the unauthorized access to, disclosure of, destruction of, or modification of information. Cyber threats can be a result of malware, ransomware, hacking, or other malicious attacks. In addition, cyber threats can be the result of human error, such as clicking on phishing links or downloading malware from untrusted sites.

Malicious intent is a major driver of cybersecurity threats, with hackers targeting organizations and individuals to steal intellectual property, gain access to bank accounts, or cause financial losses and reputational damage. These cyber threats can be as simple as a virus or malware, which are software programs designed to exploit security flaws and cause harm, including viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, and more.

Other cyber threats include data breaches, where attackers steal confidential information and lead to financial losses and damage to a company’s reputation. Other attacks, such as Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks and drive-by downloads, allow attackers to eavesdrop on or modify communication between two parties who think they are communicating directly.

The open-source tool Wireshark can help you identify cyber threats by allowing you to peer inside data packets and peel away layers of protocol, headers, and payload content to see what’s really going on. To avoid falling victim to these threats, utilizing email filters, implementing security awareness training, and staying updated on the latest phishing techniques can mitigate risks.