Cybercrime in 2024 was not only bad, it was bold. Hackers didn’t just go after big corporations, but they targeted regular people too. Whether it was businesses losing millions to ransomware or everyday users getting tricked by phishing scams. It is now clear that: no one is safe unless they’re prepared.

But we can always fight back. The first step? Understanding how these attacks happen and learning how to stop them before they happen again. Let’s dive into the top six cyber threats of 2024 and how we can be smarter in 2025!

Cyber Attacks That Target Companies

Cybercriminals love going after businesses. Why? Because companies store valuable data, handle money, and can’t afford downtime. Here are three attacks that a lot of companies struggled with in 2024:

1. Ransomware: When Hackers Hold Your Data Hostage

Imagine waking up to find that all your company files are locked, and the only way to get them back is to pay a ransom. That’s ransomware in a nutshell. Some attackers go even further, threatening to leak sensitive company data if the ransom isn’t paid.

Ransomware made up 20% of all cyberattacks last year, and the average breach cost companies $5.68 million (Source: IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence).

How do hackers do ransomware?

• They send phishing emails with infected attachments

• They exploit outdated software with security flaws

• They hack weak remote access systems

Want to avoid this in 2025? Here’s how you can do it:

• Invest in Security Operations Center (SOC) services to detect threats early

• Back up your data regularly so you won’t have to pay to recover it

• Strengthen the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to keep intruders out

Our SOC helps companies monitor and stop ransomware threats before they cause damage.

Also read: Staying Ahead of Threats with 24/7 SOC Proactive Monitoring

2. DDoS Attacks: Crashing Websites, Killing Business

A DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack is like a digital traffic jam—hackers flood a website with so much traffic that it crashes. And when your website is down, customers can’t reach you, transactions stop, and business takes a hit.

Some DDoS attacks in 2024 were so powerful they took down entire networks (Source: Cloudflare Report).

How do they do it?

• They hijack thousands of devices (botnets) to send fake traffic

• They overwhelm a website’s bandwidth, making it slow or completely unusable

How to stop this from ever attacking your company in 2025:

• Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to filter out harmful traffic

• Get DDoS protection services that automatically detect and block attacks

• Keep an eye on traffic patterns to catch unusual activity before it escalates

• Invest in Security Operations Center (SOC) services 

With our next-gen SOC, your company will be able to gain access to proactive monitoring, cutting-edge threat intelligence, and rapid response capabilities that help you stay a step ahead of evolving cyber threats like this. 

Also read: A Series of DDoS Attack Affecting Japanese Corporations ; Massive DDoS Attack Hits DeepSeek AI, Command Activity Surges 100x

3. SQL Injection: When Hackers Dig Into Your Database

Databases hold everything, from your customer details, passwords, transaction records, and more. An SQL injection attack lets hackers manipulate a website’s database, stealing or deleting critical data.

Many high-profile data breaches in 2024 happened because hackers exploited poorly secured databases (Source: PortSwigger).

How do hackers do it?

• They insert malicious code into login pages or search bars

• They trick the database into revealing sensitive customer information

How to stop this in 2025:

• Use prepared statements and parameterized queries to block unauthorized access

• Conduct regular security tests to find weaknesses before hackers do

• Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to filter out malicious requests

Cisometric’s penetration testing services also greatly help companies find and fix vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.

Also read: Maximizing Cybersecurity with VAPT Services ; Understanding VAPT: Definitions, Types and More

Cyber Attacks That Target Users

Not all cybercrime is about stealing the bigger company data and money. Hackers are just as interested in stealing passwords, scamming people, and spying on private conversations. Here are the three growing attacks that hit end-users in 2024:

4. Phishing: The Scam That Tricks Millions Every Day

Have you ever received an email saying, "Your account has been compromised! Click here to reset your password."? That’s phishing, which is a scam designed to steal your information.

Over 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent every single day (Source: Verizon Data Breach Report).

The various ways of phishing:

• Fake emails pretending to be from banks or other legitimate sources

• WhatsApp chats and text messages with malicious links

• Fake websites that steal login credentials

How to protect yourself against phishing scams in 2025:

• Always double-check email senders before clicking any links

• Never share passwords or personal details through email or messages

• Use email security tools that detect phishing attempts

Also read: Think Before You Click! How to Spot Phishing Scams and Protect Your Data

5. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: When Hackers Spy on Your Conversations

You’re working at a coffee shop, using free WiFi, checking your bank account. What if someone was secretly watching everything you type on your phone, from your usernames to your passwords? That’s what a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack does, it lets hackers eavesdrop on private data exchanges.

It’s alarming because even encrypted messages can be intercepted and modified (Source: Imperva Research).

Here’s what the hackers do:

• They create fake public WiFi hotspots to capture user data

• They redirect users to spoofed websites that look real but steal information

How to avoid this from happening to you in 2025?

• Avoid public WiFi for banking or any sensitive logins

• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your connection when in a public place

• Check for HTTPS on websites before entering credentials

Also read: Public Wi-Fi is Convenient but Risky! Here's How to Stay Safe

6. Spoofing: When Hackers Pretend to Be Someone You Trust

Spoofing is when hackers impersonate a trusted company, person, or government agency. A common example in 2024? Fake tax refund emails that looked like they were from the Indonesian Tax Office (Direktorat Jendral Pajak / DJP).

Also read: Beware of Tax Scams: Recognize and Avoid New DJP Spoofing Schemes

In summary, here’s how they do it:

• They forge email addresses, phone numbers, or websites to look authentic

• They trick people into entering login details on these fake sites

Always be aware and protect yourself against these scams! Here’s how:

• Verify email senders before responding to urgent requests

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts for extra security

• Be skeptical of emails demanding immediate action

Also read: Protect Your Accounts with 2FA – It's Easier Than You Think!

Staying Ahead of Cyber Threats in 2025

Hackers grow by the number each day, and they aren’t slowing down. But that doesn’t mean we have to be victims. Learning from 2024’s biggest attacks can help us take smarter steps in 2025.

• For businesses, investing in SOC services, penetration testing, and real-time threat monitoring can help prevent major security breaches

• For individuals, thinking before clicking, verifying senders, and using secure networks can go a long way in stopping cyber threats

Also read: 5 Simple Steps to Enhance Your Online Privacy

Cybercriminals are getting smarter, but we can be smarter too! The key to staying safe? Stay informed, stay cautious, and stay ahead.

Ready to strengthen your cybersecurity defenses? Secure a meeting with our team at Cisometric to discuss how we can help protect your business. Contact us today!

Reference: 

Top Cyber Attacks - 2024

What is ransomware?

What is a DDoS attack?

SQL Injection

Man in the middle (MITM) attack