What is a Threat Actor?

A threat actor is an individual or group that intentionally harm or exploit digital devices, systems, networks, or software. Threat actors carry out various cyberattacks, including phishing, ransomware, and malware attacks.

Threat actors are often categorized by motive, type of attack, and targeted sector.

Types of threat actor

• Cybercriminals: Individuals or groups that commit cybercrime primarily for financial gain. Tactics include ransomware attacks or phishing scams aiming to trick victims into sending money transfers or giving up payment information, login credentials, and other sensitive data.

• Nation-state actors: Threat actors funded by nation-states or governments who are tasked with stealing sensitive data, disrupting critical infrastructure, or gathering confidential information. Malicious activities include espionage and cyberwarfare.

• Hacktivists: Individuals or groups that use hacking techniques to promote political or social agendas. Often, this is used for good, such as spreading free speech and uncovering human rights violations, however, that’s not always the case. The most famous example of a hacktivist is Anonymous.

• Thrill seekers: Individuals without a specific agenda who often attack systems for fun. Although generally done without malicious intent, attacks by thrill seekers still cause damage by disrupting a network’s cybersecurity, leaving the door open for future cyberattacks by threat actors with less recreational intent.

• Insider threats: The call’s coming from inside the house! Most insider threat actors are unwitting participants in cyber attacks — they unknowingly download malware or lose devices that give cybercriminals access to the network. Others, however, know exactly what they’re doing and abuse access privileges to steal data for monetary gain or to inflict damage to the organization.

• Cyberterrorists: Individuals or organizations that inflict political or ideologically-motivated cyberattacks with the goal of threatening or insighting violence. Some cyber terrorists are nation-state actors, while others operate on their own behalf (or that of a non-governmental organization).

Who do threat actors target?

Historically, large organizations have always been the target of threat actors because the payoff is greater. More money + more sensitive data = more lucrative target.

However, in recent years, there’s been a rise in small and medium-sized businesses, and even individuals, being targeted by cyber threat actors. This is because all three groups tend to have weaker security systems making them easier targets, albeit less lucrative.

For example, in 2021 alone, small businesses in the US lost an estimated $6.9 billion to cyber attacks. So when we say less lucrative, it’s still pretty lucrative.

So if anyone’s a target, what can you do to prevent attacks from a threat actor?

How to protect yourself from threat actors

• Security awareness training is an important first step in protecting yourself from a threat actor. Utilize multi-factor authentication where possible, store passwords in a secure password manager, and never reuse passwords across sites.

• Learn to recognize phishing attempts and if in doubt, verify information through secondary means such as phone or email. Just remember to source this contact information directly from the company’s website and never rely on the information provided in the suspicious email or text.

• Download antivirus software and run regular scans to detect malware and viruses. If malware is detected, remove it, and then change all your passwords.

• Consider endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that use AI and analytics to help detect and respond to threats that traditional endpoint security software misses.

• Utilize network security technology such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), and network detection and response (NDR).