Imagine 1,000 prank callers dialing your phone at the same time. You’d never hear from the people who really needed to reach you. That’s essentially how a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack works. Instead of phone lines, attackers target websites or online services, hijacking devices and commanding them to flood a site with fake requests. 

When people think of cyberattacks, they often imagine shadowy hackers breaking in from the outside. But some of the most damaging threats actually come from within. Insider threats — whether accidental, careless, or intentional — can expose sensitive data, disrupt operations and put the entire UCLA community at risk. 

Social engineering attacks are scams that target people, not machines. Instead of breaking through firewalls, attackers exploit human psychology, using trust, fear or urgency to trick their victims into opening the door. They often start as something routine, and the best isn’t software — it’s awareness. 

Ransomware attacks can lock you out of your files, your device or even threaten to publish sensitive data unless a ransom is paid. These attacks don’t just target large corporations — students, faculty and staff are all potential victims. The good news? With awareness and preparation, you can greatly reduce your risk.