Cryptographic attacks are methods used to compromise the security of cryptographic systems. These attacks aim to break encryption algorithms or exploit weaknesses in the implementation of cryptographic protocols. Common types of attacks include brute force, where an attacker tries every possible key, and man-in-the-middle, where an attacker intercepts communication between two parties. Another type of attack is ciphertext-only, where the attacker only has access to the encrypted data and attempts to deduce the plaintext. Understanding these attacks is crucial for improving the security of systems that rely on cryptography to protect sensitive information.