Cyberattacks are no longer a question of if, but when. From phishing emails to vulnerable endpoints, attackers constantly scan for cracks in your armor. The good news? Many of these common attack vectors are surprisingly easy to block — if you know where to look.
Whether you’re part of a security or IT team, here are 10 high-risk attack vectors you can mitigate today, with actionable steps that don’t require overhauling your entire tech stack.
1. Phishing Emails
Block it with: Advanced email filtering, Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance (DMARC), and employee training.
According to stats, 91% of cyberattacks start with a phishing email.
Phishing remains the most common and successful initial attack vector cybercriminals use, and it’s only getting more sophisticated. From fake invoices to cleverly crafted internal-looking emails, phishing messages are designed to trick users into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or sharing credentials. These attacks can lead to credential theft, unauthorized access, ransomware infections, and large-scale data breaches.
2. Unpatched Software
Block it with: Automated patch management tools.
Attacks like Change Healthcare, Equinox data breach, and Ascension were all due to unpatched software.
Leaving software unpatched is like leaving your doors unlocked — attackers are constantly scanning for known vulnerabilities, and when they find an outdated system, they exploit it in seconds. Any outdated component can become a direct entry point into your environment, from operating systems and browsers to third-party tools and plugins.
It’s a known fact that attackers love known vulnerabilities. Still, relying on manual patch management tools will put your enterprise security in danger.
3. Weak or Reused Passwords
Block it with: Enforced password policies and password managers.
The Marriott breach that occurred in 2019 happened due to stolen credentials, which affected over 500 million guests.
Weak and reused passwords are among the most exploited attack vectors, and still one of the easiest to prevent. Despite widespread awareness, many users rely on simple, easy-to-guess passwords like “password123” or reuse the same credentials across multiple accounts. This creates a golden opportunity for attackers using techniques like credential stuffing, brute-force attacks, and password spraying.
4. Misconfigured Cloud Storage
Block it with: Proper cloud configuration auditing and access controls.
Breach of Verizon in 2017 exposed 6 million customer records due to an exposed cloud database
Cloud storage is a powerful tool that has revolutionized the way organizations store and manage data. However, its widespread adoption has also introduced a new risk: misconfiguration. Improperly configured cloud storage accounts, whether it’s a misapplied permission, an exposed S3 bucket, or a failure to enforce encryption, can quickly turn your cloud infrastructure into an open door for attackers.
5. Open Ports
Block it with: Network scans and strict firewall rules.
The WannaCry ransomware attack was caused by port 445
Open ports are like unlocked doors on your network, and attackers are constantly scanning for them. Services like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), Telnet, FTP, and SMB are often targeted because they provide direct access to internal systems. If left exposed and unmonitored, open ports can become easy entry points for brute-force attacks, malware delivery, or lateral movement within your infrastructure
6. Unsecured APIs
Block it with API gateways, authentication
The popular Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal occurred due to APIs allowing third parties to extract sensitive user data
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the connectives to all modern applications, enabling everything from mobile apps and third-party integrations to internal microservices. But as their use has exploded, so has their appeal to attackers, especially when left unsecured. An API without proper protection is like an unguarded backdoor into your systems.
7. Shadow IT
Block it with: Asset discovery tools and employee education.
In 2016, Uber suffered a breach that exposed the personal data of 57 million users and drivers
Shadow IT refers to any hardware, software, or cloud service used within an organization without the knowledge or approval of the IT or security team. It introduces serious risks, a complete lack of visibility, and control. If IT doesn’t know about it, it can’t secure it. This opens the door for data leaks, misconfigured services, and non-compliant applications.
8. No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Block it with: MFA across all critical accounts.
Investigations reveal that the Colonial Pipeline Ransomware attack in 2021 occurred due to attackers having access to the VPN, which didn’t have MFA
No matter how strong a password is, it can be phished, guessed, reused, or stolen in a breach. That’s why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective and essential defenses against unauthorized access. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more verification methods.
9. Malicious Attachments
Block it with: Sandboxing and attachment scanning.
The 2016 DNC email hack that influenced the U.S. presidential election began with a malicious Word document.
Malicious attachments are one of the oldest and most persistent cyberattack techniques, and they continue to evolve in sophistication and delivery. These attachments, often disguised as invoices, reports, resumes, or shipping notifications, are designed to trick recipients into opening a file that executes malware, installs ransomware, or launches remote access tools.
10. Outdated EDR Tools
Block it with: Modern, cloud-native EDR/XDR platforms with continuous updates and threat intelligence.
The Norsk Hydro Ransomware Attack was due to a failure in early threat detection at the endpoint level
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools are meant to be your frontline defenders monitoring endpoints for suspicious behavior, detecting threats, and enabling rapid response. But like any security solution, an outdated or poorly configured EDR tool can give you a false sense of protection.
Why This Matters
Blocking these 10 attack vectors doesn’t require a full-blown digital transformation. It’s about fixing the basics with intention. Attackers often go for the low-hanging fruit, and if your defenses are solid, they’ll move on to an easier target.
Choose the Saner Platform
Whether it’s detecting shadow ITs or instantly fixing risks, Saner Platform will be the one-stop solution. It’s a suite of solutions that helps organizations establish a strong security posture to prevent cyber threats against endpoints, servers, networks, cloud infrastructure, and cloud workloads. With its cutting-edge and comprehensive solutions, SecPod empowers organizations to stay ahead of evolving threats and build a resilient security framework.
See it in action here: https://www.secpod.com/schedule-a-demo/