Would your organization ignore an imminent cyber threat if there was a high probability of causing significant damage to your public image? You might say no, but many companies ignore cybercriminals attacking their brand. They use impersonation attacks to spread false information, steal credentials, and spread malware, all in your company’s name. These rarely talked about attacks are more common than you might think. According to a Mimecast survey, in 2022, almost half of the respondents have seen an upswing in brand spoofing and impersonation attacks year over year.

These attacks leverage threats that may not directly appear tied to the impersonation attack but set the stage for such major attacks later. They target information about your organization and access to critical resources that allow them to launch an attack better. Understanding these threats can help organizations better prepare to stop them, preventing brand attacks in the future.

Understanding Basic Brand Impersonation Threats

Cyber threats involve using a computer or the internet to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information or computer systems or the information it contains. Some threats are specifically designed to steal data. In contrast, others cause damage and disruption to strategies and operations, stealing away resources to mitigate their damage and diverting the focus from other attacks.

Common Brand Cyber Threats

Numerous cyber threats exist, but some are extremely common and frequently re-used. Understanding the most common ones and what they entail will help you be better prepared to defend against them.

• Malware – software designed to harm or exploit a computer or network. Examples of malware include viruses, worms, ransomware, and Trojan horses.
• Phishing –  Phishing is a type of online scam that involves sending fake emails or texts that appear to be from legitimate companies or individuals to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
• Direct Attackers – Cybercriminals attempt to exploit vulnerabilities directly against an organization to gain access.
• Password Stuffing – When attackers attempt to use passwords discovered from attacks on other organizations, hoping to find users who have re-used passwords, allowing them easy access.

This is only a sampling of the different attacks leveraged by cyber criminals in preparing for a brand attack. Many of these attacks focus on compromising the human element of security. They exploit users making bad decisions, such as falling for fake messages in phishing or re-using passwords across multiple locations. In these instances, attackers get an advantage as digital cyber defenses are easy to quantify, test, and audit. On the other hand, humans and their behavior are inconsistent and might be a low risk on one day while easily compromised on another.

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