2023 Top Cyberattacks You Must Know To Stay Safe
- March 14, 2023
- 10:11 am
As cyberattacks continue to increase in frequency and sophistication, it’s critical to stay informed about the most common types of attacks that could threaten your clients’ tax information. Here are some of the most prevalent cyberattacks that you should be aware of:
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks:
DDoS attacks are designed to make a network or server unavailable by overwhelming it with a massive number of requests from multiple sources. These attacks can be used for various purposes such as political activism, extortion, or sabotage. DDoS attacks can be challenging to prevent and mitigate, making it crucial to have a plan in place to protect against them.
Malware Attacks:
Malware is a type of malicious software designed to damage or disrupt computer systems. Ransomware, which encrypts data and demands a ransom for its release, is one of the most common types of malware. Malware can also steal data or compromise computer systems, and it can spread across networks, causing widespread damage. Protecting against malware requires a multi-layered approach that includes antivirus software, firewalls, and employee education.
Man in the Middle (MITM) Attacks:
MITM attacks occur when a malicious actor intercepts communications between a user and a web application, allowing the attacker to collect sensitive information, such as passwords or banking credentials. In some cases, the attacker may also impersonate the web application to get the user to provide additional information or perform an action.
Reconnaissance Attacks:
Reconnaissance attacks are used by cybercriminals to gather information about an organization's systems and networks, usually without the organization's knowledge. Cybercriminals use this information to find vulnerabilities they can exploit in the future to gain unauthorized access to systems and steal data.
Phishing Attacks:
Phishing attacks are attempts to trick users into revealing sensitive information by using fraudulent emails, text messages, or social media posts. Phishing attacks often use social engineering techniques to create a sense of urgency or fear, making it more likely that the victim will comply with the attacker's demands.
Knowing about these types of cyberattacks and taking steps to protect against them is crucial for safeguarding your clients’ tax information. Make sure you have a comprehensive cybersecurity plan in place to protect against these and other potential threats.
Advanced Persistent Threats (APT)
An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a type of cyber-attack that is designed to remain undetected for a long time while attackers carry out their malicious activities. APTs are often used in espionage and sabotage, where attackers aim to acquire sensitive information or disrupt a system’s operations.
An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is a type of cyber-attack that is designed to remain undetected for a long time while attackers carry out their malicious activities. APTs are often used in espionage and sabotage, where attackers aim to acquire sensitive information or disrupt a system’s operations.
Advanced Persistent Threat Tactics And Techniques
Port Hopping:
Port hopping is a technique used by attackers to evade detection and launch cyber-attacks. It involves randomly changing ports to avoid being detected by security systems. Attackers use port hopping to gain access to a system or network without being detected. This technique is often used in combination with other techniques such as IP spoofing, packet fragmentation, and encryption to make it harder for security systems to detect the attack. By randomly changing ports, attackers can bypass firewalls and intrusion detection systems that are designed to detect malicious traffic on specific ports.
Fast Flux DNS:
Fast Flux DNS is a technique used by cyber-attackers to hide malicious domains and IP addresses. It is a type of APT attack that uses a network of compromised computers to rapidly change the IP address associated with a domain name. This makes it difficult for security teams to detect and block the malicious activity. Fast Flux DNS attacks are often used in conjunction with other techniques such as phishing, malware distribution, and data exfiltration. By using this technique, attackers can remain undetected for longer periods of time while they carry out their malicious activities.
Data Exfiltration:
Data exfiltration is a type of cyber-attack that involves the unauthorized transfer of data from an organization’s network to an external source. It is often carried out by threat actors who are able to gain access to a company’s systems and then use various techniques to extract sensitive information. Data exfiltration attacks can be used for malicious purposes such as stealing intellectual property, financial data, or customer information. APT attacks prioritize undetected access and transfer of data over long periods of time. Attackers can use various techniques such as encryption, steganography, or exfiltration over covert channels to remain undetected while they extract data.
Advanced Persistent Threats are a significant threat to organizations of all types and sizes. Attackers can use various techniques and tactics to evade detection and carry out their malicious activities. To defend against APTs, organizations need to implement robust security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) tools. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments, including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning, to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in their systems and networks.
APT Cyber Kill Chain
The Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Cyber Kill Chain is a model that describes the stages of an APT attack. It is a seven-step process that outlines the steps taken by attackers to gain access to a system, exploit it, and then cover their tracks. Understanding the APT Cyber Kill Chain is critical for organizations to detect and respond to threats quickly and effectively. It also provides insight into how attackers operate and can be used as a tool for developing better security strategies.
Attacking Phases
The seven phases of the APT Cyber Kill Chain are as follows:
Reconnaissance -
In this phase, attackers gather information about the target organization, such as email addresses, public information, and employee information available on social media. This information is used to identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited in subsequent phases.
Weaponization -
Once attackers have gathered information on the target, they create a malware payload that is tailored to exploit the identified vulnerabilities. They also create a backdoor that allows them to maintain access to the compromised system.
Delivery -
In this phase, attackers deliver the weaponized malware to the victim via email (phishing or otherwise), web, or USB.
Exploitation -
Once the victim opens the infected attachment/link or inserts an infected USB into a device, the malware is activated, and the attacker can exploit a vulnerability to execute code on the victim's system.
Installation -
After the attacker has executed code on the victim's system, they install malware on the asset. This allows them to maintain persistent access to the system and continue to gather data.
Command & Control -
At this point, the attacker has gained remote access to the device and network and begins looking for valuable information or specific private data. They use a command channel for remote manipulation of the victim.
Actions on Objectives -
With 'Hands on Keyboard' access, intruders accomplish their original goal by stealing and transferring data outside the organization without being detected.
Defending Each Phase
To defend against APT attacks, organizations need to understand each phase of the APT Cyber Kill Chain and implement appropriate security measures to mitigate the risks.
Reconnaissance -
Reducing the attack surface and limiting the amount of confidential or private information shared can help prevent attackers from gathering information about the organization.
Weaponization -
User awareness training and education are critical in this phase. Employees should be trained to recognize phishing attacks and not open suspicious attachments or links.
Delivery -
Technical controls such as mass storage restrictions, email filtering, and web proxy filtering can help prevent malware delivery.
Exploitation -
Regular operating system and software patches, disabling unnecessary services, and proper web proxy filtering can help prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities.
Installation -
Endpoint security, restricted user privileges, and administrator rights only for users who need it can help prevent installation of malware.
Command & Control -
Advanced firewall, endpoint detection and response (EDR), anti-virus, and filtering outbound traffic can help detect and prevent command and control activities.
Actions on Objectives -
Data loss prevention technologies can help minimize the damage if an attack makes it to this phase of the cyber kill chain. Proper data encryption, access controls, and network segmentation can also help limit the impact of data exfiltration.
The APT Cyber Kill Chain is a valuable tool that can help organizations understand the different stages of an APT attack and develop appropriate security measures to mitigate the risks. By implementing best practices for each phase, organizations can better protect themselves from APT attacks and minimize the potential impact of a breach.
Best Practices For APT Defense
In today’s world, where cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly frequent and sophisticated, it is essential for businesses to prioritize their cybersecurity. Cybersecurity should not be overlooked, as it can have significant consequences for an organization’s reputation, finances, and overall operations. By understanding the Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) and the Cyber Kill Chain model, organizations can develop an effective security strategy and minimize the risk of a successful cyber-attack. However, implementing and maintaining these strategies can be daunting and time-consuming, and many organizations may not have the resources or expertise to do so. Therefore, it is recommended to seek help from a security specialist who can assist in creating a tailored security plan for the organization. By collaborating with a security specialist, businesses can focus on their core operations while having peace of mind that their systems and data are secure.
