The Most Popular Cyber Attacks in the UK – And How to Prevent Them

26 September

In today’s hyperconnected world, cyber attacks are no longer a distant threat—they’re a daily reality for UK individuals, businesses, and public institutions alike. According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 50% of UK businesses reported experiencing some form of cyber attack in the past 12 months.

While the threat landscape continues to evolve, some types of cyber attacks are more common—and more devastating—than others. In this post, we’ll explore the most prevalent cyber threats in the UK today, and crucially, how you can protect yourself or your organisation from them.

1. Phishing Attacks

What it is:
Phishing is a form of social engineering where attackers trick victims into revealing sensitive information—such as login credentials or financial details—usually through deceptive emails or messages.

Why it’s a problem in the UK:
Phishing remains the most reported cyber crime in the UK, often targeting employees with emails that appear to come from trusted sources like HMRC, banks, or delivery companies.

Prevention Tips:

Employee training is key—educate staff to recognise suspicious emails.
Use email filtering and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Encourage reporting of suspicious messages without fear of blame.

2. Ransomware Attacks

What it is:
Ransomware is a type of malware that locks users out of their systems or data until a ransom is paid—often in cryptocurrency.

UK impact:
High-profile UK victims in recent years have included the NHS, councils, and educational institutions. These attacks are often crippling and costly.

Prevention Tips:

Regularly back up data and test restore processes.
Keep software and systems fully patched and updated.
Invest in endpoint protection and network monitoring tools.
Have a cyber incident response plan in place.

3. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

What it is:
Attackers impersonate executives or trusted partners via email to trick staff into making fraudulent payments or revealing sensitive data.

UK relevance:
BEC scams are increasingly common among SMEs and are particularly dangerous because they often bypass traditional security filters.

Prevention Tips:

Use MFA and email verification protocols like DMARC.
Set up payment approval processes that require multiple sign-offs.
Conduct regular cyber awareness training for finance and admin teams.

4. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attacks

What it is:
DDoS attacks flood a website or online service with traffic, causing it to crash or become unavailable.

Why it’s a threat in the UK:
Often used to disrupt online retailers, financial services, or public services, DDoS attacks are sometimes politically motivated or used as a distraction for more serious breaches.

Prevention Tips:

Use a content delivery network (CDN) with built-in DDoS protection.
Work with your ISP or cloud provider on traffic monitoring and mitigation.
Implement rate limiting and firewall rules to manage incoming traffic.

5. Credential Stuffing

What it is:
Attackers use stolen username and password combinations (often from previous breaches) to access other online accounts.

UK impact:
With Brits using the same passwords across multiple sites, this attack is both common and effective.

Prevention Tips:

Encourage the use of unique, strong passwords and password managers.
Enforce multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
Monitor for suspicious login attempts or credential breaches.

Final Thoughts: Prevention is Better Than Cure

Cyber crime in the UK is not going away—and it’s no longer just an IT issue. It’s a business risk, a reputational threat, and a legal concern under regulations like GDPR.

Here’s what you can do today:

Conduct a cyber risk assessment.
Review your security policies and incident response plans.
Make cybersecurity training part of your company culture.
Consider gaining Cyber Essentials certification as a starting point.

Staying ahead of cyber criminals requires vigilance, investment, and above all, awareness. Don’t wait until your business is in the headlines—act now to protect your digital future.

Need help strengthening your cyber defences?
Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, our experts can help assess your vulnerabilities and implement the right solutions.