Defining What Was the Cyber Attack

Cyberattacks are no longer rare incidents hidden in tech forums—they dominate headlines, disrupt global economies, and threaten national security. If you’ve wondered what was the cyber attack that crippled pipelines, hospitals, or even governments, you’re not alone. Understanding past attacks and their evolving nature is essential to building a resilient security strategy.

In this guide, we’ll break down what was the cyber attack, explore its many forms, highlight its impact, and share strategies to prevent the next one.

A cyber attack is any deliberate attempt by threat actors to gain unauthorized access, steal data, disrupt operations, or cause harm to digital systems. Unlike accidental errors, these are intentional, often well-orchestrated operations.

Some historic examples include:

• WannaCry Ransomware (2017): Spread globally, locking computers in hospitals and businesses, demanding Bitcoin ransoms.

• SolarWinds Breach (2020): A sophisticated supply-chain attack impacting U.S. federal agencies.

• Colonial Pipeline Attack (2021): A ...