Botnet – What does it mean?

A Botnet is a network of different devices, like computers, smartphones, tablets, and IoT, which are infected with malware and controlled by a cyber-criminal, also known as a bot herder. Each individual device within the botnet network is also known as a bot or zombie.

These hijacked devices are utilized to carry out different scams and cyberattacks, like sending spam emails, distributing malware, and preparing DDoS attacks. The assembly of a botnet is usually the infiltration step of a multi-layer scheme. Botnets employ the devices of regular users for scams and disruptions without requiring the permission of the owner.

DDoS Protected DNS Service

You are probably wondering what the botnet attack actually is and how it works. So, let’s expand the topic and clarify for what purposes they are used!

What are botnets used for?

There are different reasons why attackers use botnets. However, the most popular intentions are related to stealing data and money. Here are some of the most common usages of the networks of hijacked devices:

Fraudulent or money stealing

Cybercriminals can perform attacks that involve a botnet network for stealing money directly or indirectly. Some of the popular methods to achieve that are phishing emails or making a fake website that looks exactly like the original bank website, for example. Then, they are able to translate the payment or transaction details and utilize them to steal money.

Data theft

The data of the users is highly valued in the market. Cybercriminals are well aware of that. Therefore, they use botnets for stealing individual personal information, or even more, they break into the database of a precise company. The next step for them is to sell the user information to third parties and make a profit from it. These botnets could stay inactive and only steal personal details.

Perform spamming and phishing frauds

By implementing botnets, attackers can execute large email spamming and phishing scams. That is because they can spread malicious emails to numerous targets easily. Moreover, there are spam botnets that are precisely designed for such tasks.

However, the intentions are always the same, meaning stealing money or information, even if the methods differ. Yet, there are a specific group of cybercriminals who use botnets only because they can. They only aim to show their abilities and demonstrate their superiority to the rest of the world. There are different examples of security breaches where the attackers steal personal details and reveal them on the dark web for free.

Botnet attack – explained in detail

We talk about a Botnet attack when cybercriminals inject malware into the network to control them as a collective used for initiating cyberattacks. Otherwise, botnets themselves are simply a network of devices. 

The scale of a Botnet attack could be pretty large, and any device could fall victim to it. So, cybercriminals use additional machinery or devices to support and improve the mastership of a botnet.

Bot herder is needed to guide and control the group of hijacked devices in the network. The attacker uses it via remote commands to guide the devices and make them complete specific actions.

Bot or zombie computer is an infected device (system) used to create a botnet. The bots are guided by the bot herder’s command, and they behave by its instructions.

Let’s break down the construction process of a Botnet attack. Here are 3 main steps you should know:

Step 1: Prep and Expose

The cybercriminal discovers a vulnerability to introduce into the user’s device. The process of searching for a vulnerability involves the website, human behavior, and application. That way, the attacker prepares a set-up to drown the victim to get exposed to malware without notice. Typically, the vulnerabilities are found in websites and software, and the malware is delivered through emails or messages.

‍Step 2: Infecting the user

The attacker activates the malware, and the user’s device is infected and has compromised security. Typically, for that purpose, cybercriminals use the social engineering method or the Trojan virus. Another more aggressive approach includes deploying drive-by-download strategies to infect the device. However, with all of these methods, cybercriminals aim to weaken the target with botnet malware.

‍Step 3: Taking control over the targeted devices

The last step is taking control of each infected device. All of them are systematized, and the attacker involves a method for managing them remotely. Numerous devices are under control through a massive zombie network. After completing this step, the cybercriminal gains admin-like access to the targeted devices. Moreover, it has the ability to read and change the stored information, capture it, share it, or watch all of the activities on the device.

Most popular Botnet attack types

Botnets are attacks by themselves also, but they are a perfect instrument for performing secondary frauds and cybercrimes on a giant scale. Here are the most popular Botnet attack types:

DDoS attack

DDoS attacks aim to overwhelm a target server, network, or device with massive traffic. The zombie devices (bots) send large amounts of requests aiming to crash or at least slow down the target significantly.

That is one of the most popular forms of using botnets for criminal purposes. Additionally, it is commonly the one that is the most dangerous. The negative effects of DDoS attacks are often long-term and severe. That includes not only financial losses but also reputational damages for the target organization.

That is critical for everyone that has a functional website and especially for businesses that operate and offer their services online. So for sure, proper DDoS protection is a must! Unfortunately, it is already too late for you to plan your response when a DDoS attack appears. Therefore, protection and mitigation should be planned.

Phishing

Botnet attacks are commonly built by phishing tactics. That way, they infect more devices and extend the size of the botnet.

Additionally, phishing and other methods of social engineering attacks include a botnet that sends emails, posts comments or sends messages on social media acting like people or businesses that the victim trusts, commonly used to steal your banking details.

Precisely phishing is hard to defend against because humans easily fall victim to them.

Brute Force attack

Another popular way that bot headers use botnets is to complete different Account Takeover (ATO) attacks, mostly Brute Force attacks (credential cracking).

For a Brute Force attack, the zombie devices are instructed to test the various options of a user password and “crack” it. For instance, if there is a PIN with 4 digits, bot device 1 is going to test “0000”, the second bot device is going to test “0001”, etc. That continues until one of them guesses the correct PIN.

Defending against this botnet attack is also very challenging. It is effective in exploiting weak user credentials.

Which devices can become targets of a Botnet?

Devices infected with malware, also known as “bots” or “zombies,” can be remotely controlled by attackers. Almost any device with an internet connection can potentially become a target for a botnet if it has vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Here are some common types of devices that can be targeted:

• Personal Computers: Desktops and laptops running various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, can be targeted by botnets if they have security vulnerabilities. Malware can infect these devices through malicious downloads, email attachments, or drive-by downloads.
• Servers: Web servers, email servers, and other types of servers are attractive targets for botnets because they often have high-speed internet connections and large resources. Compromised servers can be used to host malicious content, launch DDoS attacks, or distribute malware.
• Mobile Devices: Smartphones and tablets are also exposed to botnet infections. Malicious apps, compromised app stores, and phishing attacks can be used to target these devices. Both Android and iOS can be affected by botnet-related threats.
• IoT Devices: Internet of Things devices, such as smart cameras, smart thermostats, routers, and smart appliances, are targeted by botnets. They are often less protected and may have default or weak passwords, making them easy targets for exploitation.
• Network Equipment: Routers, switches, and other devices can be compromised by botnets. Once infected, these devices can be used to control network traffic, redirect users to malicious websites, or participate in DDoS attacks.

Signs your device could be part of a Botnet

Here are the most common signals that your device could be part of a Botnet:

• Unusual Sluggishness: If your device suddenly becomes slow or unresponsive, it may be because a botnet is using its resources.
• Excessive Data Usage: A sudden spike in data usage without an apparent reason could indicate your device is participating in botnet activities.
• Unwanted Pop-ups: Frequent pop-up ads or redirects to suspicious websites may signal that your device is under the control of a botmaster.
• High CPU Usage: Constantly high CPU usage, even when you’re not running intensive applications, can indicate malicious activity.
• Outbound Spam Emails: If your email contacts receive spam from your account without your knowledge, your device may send spam as part of a phishing attack.
• Disabled Security Software: Malware in a botnet often tries to disable antivirus and firewall protection to avoid detection.
• Unexplained Software Installs: Unauthorized software installations or changes to your device’s settings can be a sign that attackers may have control over it.
• Strange Network Activity: Monitor your network traffic for unusual patterns, such as frequent connections to unfamiliar IP addresses or domains.

How to protect yourself?

Here are some things you can do to protect yourself from botnet malware.

• Strong passwords. Make sure all of your smart devices have complex long passwords. That will keep them safer compared to a short and weak password, like “123456”.
• Update your OS. You should update your software. That way, you are receiving all of the security patches that can deal with familiar vulnerabilities.
• Change admin settings and passwords across all of your devices. Make sure to check all potential privacy and security options. That includes everything that connects device-to-device or to the Internet. If you skip changing to custom login credentials and private connectivity, cybercriminals will be capable of breaching and infecting all of your devices.
• Avoid opening suspicious email attachments. Before you download a file, make sure to verify the sender’s email address.
• Avoid clicking on links in messages. Different texts, emails, or social media messages could include malware. Moreover, by doing so, you can avoid drive-by downloads and DNS cache poisoning.
• Reliable antivirus software. It is going to help you improve your security and keep yourself protected from Trojans and other threats.

Impact of Botnets on Businesses

Botnets are a growing threat to businesses of all sizes, exploiting weak spots in networks to carry out malicious activities. Here’s a breakdown of how they can impact your business:

• Financial Losses

Botnets can cause serious financial damage. They might steal sensitive data directly, demand ransoms after launching ransomware attacks, or disrupt your services, leading to lost revenue. For example, a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack could take down your website, resulting in significant downtime and a drop in productivity.

• Damage to Your Reputation

The impact of a botnet attack goes beyond immediate financial losses. It can also severely damage your company’s reputation. Customers and partners may lose trust in a business’s ability to protect confidential information, resulting in long-term loss of clientele. There could also be legal consequences if your company fails to comply with data protection laws. Recovering from such an attack often requires significant investment in cybersecurity measures, system restorations, and efforts to rebuild public trust.

• Increased Operational Costs

Botnet infections can also lead to the unauthorized use of company resources, increasing operational costs and exposing internal systems to even more security risks. Small and medium-sized businesses are especially vulnerable, as they might not have the necessary infrastructure or expertise needed to effectively defend against these threats.

To reduce the risk of botnet attacks, it’s essential to adopt proactive security measures and include regular employee training, robust incident response plans, and a strong focus on cybersecurity. By taking these steps, you can help protect your business from the negative effects of these attacks.

Some famous Botnet attacks

Mirai – 2016

The massive Mirai botnet attack was initiated through a DDoS attack, and it made the Internet unavailable in the U.S. It was the first major botnet that infected insecure IoT devices. At the peak of the attack, it got to over 600,000 infected devices. 

3ve – 2018

3ve, pronounced Eve, started as a small botnet. Yet, the number of infected devices reached a tremendous 1.7 million. The botnet managed to falsify billions of ad views. As a result, businesses paid millions for ads that no real human, a regular internet user, ever saw.

Conclusion

Botnet and Botnet attacks are cyber threats that should not be neglected! It is important to keep yourself or your organization safe from such malicious attempts. Otherwise, they could lead to large financial and reputational damages!

The post Botnet – what is it, and how does a Botnet attack work? appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

DNS Monitoring explained

DNS Monitoring gives you the ability to manage and examine the performance of a DNS server. The main goal is to assist you with detecting server-side and client-side DNS issues. In addition, it guarantees the health of DNS servers by sending a DNS request. You are able to choose different query types depending on the DNS record you want to check, for example, A, AAAA, MX, NS, PTR, or CNAME. Then you specify a required expected response that is compared to the actually received response.

DNS Monitoring has a very important role in your network Monitoring service. Moreover, it ensures the safety and proper connection between the end-users and the website or service that they want to use. It is extremely useful when it comes to the fast detection of unpleasant issues or for recognizing potential security breaches. Additionally, it is helpful for stopping some popular malicious attacks. Thanks to the regular checks, you can effortlessly detect unexpected issues or localize DNS outages. As a result, you can prevent a large negative impact on your website or on the safety of your users that want to reach your services by detecting and resolving the problem fast.

Why is DNS Monitoring important?

The Domain Name System (DNS) is an essential part of the Internet. Yet, it was not designed with security in mind. For that reason, cybercriminals have developed ways to take advantage of its vulnerabilities. Therefore, DNS monitoring is vital for helping you protect your online presence and catch issues before they become significant problems. DNS monitoring gives you the ability to recognize several different DNS errors. The majority of them result from malicious attempts and could be a significant threat to your security. On the other hand, there are also communication flow interruptions. They compromise the functionality of your domain’s DNS resolution process and lower the traffic toward your site.

Configuration Errors

DNS Monitoring can detect errors like incorrect IP addresses and assure that outages are not prolonged. The less time your website or service is down, the less your traffic flow is interrupted. That way, you can maintain and increase your uptime, and every user that wants to reach your website (or service) will have that opportunity without any difficulties.

A configuration error can stop users from reaching your website and make it seem like their internet is not acting correctly. This could drive traffic away from your domain and meddle with your business.

DNS Spoofing (DNS poisoning)

DNS Spoofing, also commonly known as DNS poisoning, is a popular cyber threat that cybercriminals use. Recursive DNS servers hold the hostname data with all related DNS records for a particular amount of time (depending on the TTL). That way, they operate more efficiently because they do not repeat the resolution process for the same IP address. However, it also leads to vulnerabilities.

Cybercriminals insert fraudulent data into the DNS cache on the server, like fake IP addresses. Commonly, that is achieved due to viruses and malware. As a result, the users’ requests are directed to a malicious phishing website, which looks similar to the original one. There they type their sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card details, etc. A lot of people do not even notice that they have been directed to malicious pages. No one wants to put its clients at risk of phishing schemes. Additionally, compromising user information can seriously impact your business.

DDoS and DoS Attacks

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are massive cyber threats that are able to bring down your server. They involve large amounts of fake traffic with the main goal of overcoming your resources and making your website or service unavailable for regular users. It is important to mention that the earlier the attack is detected, the more quickly it can be handled. Therefore, it is best to stop it before the DNS records on the server become weaponized by the cybercriminals.

DNS Tunneling

DNS Tunneling is another cyber threat that attackers commonly use. Typically, DNS servers handle a massive amount of traffic, and there are no security measures regarding the exchanged data packets. DNS Monitoring can help detect tunneling and serve to prevent any further data from being exchanged. This is an essential addition to your existing security measures.

DNS outage

DNS outage does not allow your users to connect and reach your website or service. It is possible to last just several minutes, but it could continue up to several hours or even days. So you can probably imagine how seriously it can affect your business and services. With DNS Monitoring, you can easily find and understand where the issue is coming from and quickly fix it.

How does it work?

You can find DNS monitoring as a part of ClouDNS Monitoring service. It works by regularly checking if the DNS server responds to all DNS queries. With such type of check, you can initiate DNS queries for a desired hostname and query type – A (for IPv4), AAAA (for IPv6), MX, NS, PTR, or CNAME. There are two scenarios that follow once you set your expected response.

• The check is marked UP, when the received response is equal to the required expected one.
• The check is marked DOWN, when the received response is not equal to the required expected one.

The DNS monitoring check validates the conditions of DNS servers by sending a DNS request and comparing the received response with the expected one.

You can also take a look at our article about DNS monitoring Checks!

Why do you need it?

DNS monitoring is necessary because DNS performance is essential to your network, servers, and applications. Thanks to the DNS servers, your website or service works effectively and efficiently, yet they should be monitored for vulnerabilities. In case you neglect their adequate supervision, you may compromise both the security of your business and your clients.

With the ClouDNS Monitoring service, you can keep an eye on your servers and quickly detect any issues. As you know, timing is crucial, so the fast resolving of the issues is going to guarantee the integrity of your servers. So, as a result, everything should continue operating smoothly.

Benefits of DNS monitoring

DNS monitoring is a critical component of any organization’s network management strategy. By monitoring DNS traffic, organizations can proactively identify and address issues before they escalate. Here are some of the main benefits of the implementation of DNS monitoring:

• Improved Server Availability

It can help improve server availability by identifying and resolving issues that can cause downtime or service disruptions. For example, DNS servers can be vulnerable to hardware or software failures, network connectivity issues, and cyber attacks, which can affect the availability of websites and other online services. DNS monitoring services can detect and alert tech teams of problems before they escalate, allowing them to take proactive measures to resolve them.

• Improved DNS Server Troubleshooting

DNS monitoring can help improve DNS server troubleshooting by providing visibility into the DNS infrastructure and the flow of DNS queries. Tech teams can use DNS monitoring tools to identify blockages, misconfigurations, and other issues affecting the performance of the DNS server. The information helps them troubleshoot and resolve issues more quickly, minimizing downtime and service disruptions.

• Faster Detection of Outages

DNS monitoring can be useful for detecting outages faster by providing real-time visibility into the DNS infrastructure. It can alert tech teams about issues, such as DNS server failures or network connectivity problems, as soon as they occur. That way, IT teams can quickly identify the root cause of the problem and take action to restore services.

Monitoring Plan

Comparison with other monitoring techniques

DNS monitoring is a specialized approach focusing on the health and security of the Domain Name System, which is crucial for translating domain names into IP addresses. While DNS monitoring is vital, it’s one part of a broader network monitoring strategy that includes other techniques such as network performance monitoring, application monitoring, and security information and event management (SIEM). Here’s how DNS monitoring compares with other monitoring techniques:

• Network Performance Monitoring (NPM): NPM tools focus on the performance and availability of networks and network components (like routers and switches). While NPM can identify network congestion and hardware failures that indirectly affect DNS services, DNS monitoring directly assesses DNS health, ensuring that domain name resolution processes are working as expected.
• Application Monitoring: This technique focuses on the performance and availability of specific applications. It can help identify issues within an application that may impact user experience but doesn’t directly monitor DNS processes. DNS monitoring complements application monitoring by ensuring that users can reach the applications in the first place.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM systems collect and analyze aggregated log data from various sources to detect and respond to security incidents. While SIEM can identify security breaches that may indirectly affect DNS services, DNS monitoring provides specific insights into DNS-related security threats, such as DNS spoofing or tunneling attacks.

Conclusion

So, now you know what DNS Monitoring is and why it is so important for your security. First, there are different criminal attempts that could be prevented when you keep an eye on your servers. Additionally, it is beneficial for simplifying the process of finding and fixing network issues. Finally, it helps you prepare and not be surprised in such situations.

The post Monitoring your DNS, should you do it? appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.

What is a Phishing attack?

A phishing attack is a malicious attempt by cybercriminals to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information through fraudulent emails, messages, or websites. The attackers disguise themselves as trustworthy entities, such as banks, social media platforms, or government agencies, to gain victims’ trust and exploit their vulnerability for personal gain.

How does it work? Step by step

Here’s how a typical phishing attack unfolds:

1. Bait Creation: The first step in a phishing attack involves creating an enticing bait, such as an urgent request to update account information, a tempting offer, or a warning about a compromised account.
2. Delivery: The bait is then delivered through various means, such as email, SMS, social media messages, or even malicious ads.
3. Deception: The message typically contains a sense of urgency or fear, compelling the recipient to take immediate action without questioning its legitimacy.
4. Linking to fake websites: Phishing emails often include links to fake websites that closely resemble legitimate ones. These fake sites are designed to collect the victim’s login credentials and personal information when entered.
5. Data collection: Once the victim enters their information, the cybercriminals capture it and can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious purposes.

Types of phishing attacks

There are several variations of phishing attacks, including:

• Email phishing: The most common type, where fraudulent emails are sent to deceive recipients into revealing sensitive information.
• Spear phishing: Highly targeted attacks aimed at specific individuals or organizations, often using personalized information to appear more convincing.
• Whaling attacks: Similar to spear phishing but focused on high-profile individuals or executives within an organization.
• Clone phishing: Attackers create a replica of a legitimate email and modify it to include malicious content or links.
• Pharming: Redirects victims to fraudulent websites even if they enter the correct web address.

How do spear phishing attacks differ from standard phishing attacks?

Standard phishing attacks cast a wide net, sending mass emails or messages impersonating well-known entities to deceive as many victims as possible. These attacks use generic content and fake websites to trick recipients into revealing personal information.

In contrast, spear phishing attacks are highly targeted and personalized. Cybercriminals gather specific details about their victims, crafting convincing messages that appear to come from trusted sources like colleagues or business partners. This tailored approach increases the likelihood of success, as victims are more likely to fall for the authenticity of the communication, leading to the disclosure of sensitive data or malware installation.

2023 Phishing attack Statistics

According to a staggering statistic from IT Governance, an estimated 3.4 billion malevolent emails, mainly in the form of phishing, hit our inboxes every single day, marking it as the predominant form of cybercrime (IT Governance, 2023). The objective? To ensnare unsuspecting individuals into revealing their login credentials. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report further sheds light on this issue by revealing that stolen credentials, indeed, represent the primary cause of data breaches, accounting for 19% of all cyber attacks (IT Governance, 2023).

The threat intensifies when we shift our gaze towards corporate security. A report by Digital Guardian has identified that a staggering 90% of corporate security breaches can be traced back to phishing attacks (IT Governance, 2023). The toll on organizations is heavy. Each piece of personal information pilfered via a phishing attack, according to Venari Security, translates to an approximate loss of $181. (IT Governance, 2023).

Source: 51 Must Know Phishing Statistics for 2023, IT Governance

Source: Most Affected Industries by Phishing, Statista

In the ever-evolving landscape of phishing attacks, certain industries tend to be more targeted than others. Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data, provides an illuminating infographic that delineates the sectors most affected by phishing.

Leading the pack, unsurprisingly, is the financial industry with 23% of phishing attempts directed towards it. This is due to the sensitive and valuable information that this sector holds, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals.

Next up, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and webmail industries face their fair share of threats with 17% of the phishing attacks aimed at them. This might be attributed to the fact that many SaaS companies hold vast amounts of data on behalf of their clients, making them a rich source for phishing attempts.

What is IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS?

Social media platforms are the third most targeted, suffering from 11% of these malicious attempts. The extensive personal and business data that users tend to share on these platforms make them a fertile ground for cybercriminals.

Logistics and shipping sectors, along with e-commerce and retail, each receive 6% and 4% of the phishing attempts respectively. The payment sector is also targeted by 4% of phishing attacks. These industries, dealing with sensitive transactional data, are enticing for hackers who want to exploit the financial and personal information.

The telecom sector, with a share of 3%, and the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry, receiving 2% of phishing attempts, round out the list. It is worth noting that as the popularity of cryptocurrencies continues to grow, they may become an even more lucrative target for phishing in the future.

Impacts of Phishing Attacks

The consequences of falling victim to a phishing attack can be severe and extensive. For individuals, the theft of personal information can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and damage to personal reputation. In the context of organizations, phishing attacks can result in data breaches, financial fraud, disruption of operations, and loss of customer trust.

Beyond immediate financial and reputational harm, phishing attacks can also be used to launch more advanced cyber threats, such as ransomware, malware infections, and business email compromise (BEC) scams. By compromising the credentials of unsuspecting users, attackers gain access to organizations, enabling them to launch more sophisticated and targeted attacks.

Moreover, the indirect costs associated with phishing attacks, including incident response, remediation efforts, and regulatory fines, can be significant burdens on organizations of all sizes. The reputational damage from a successful phishing attack can ruin an organization’s brand and lose customer trust, potentially leading to long-term business consequences.

How to protect against Phishing Attack?

There are several proactive steps you can take to protect yourself against phishing attacks:

• Anti-phishing software: This type of software can identify phishing content and alert users about potential threats.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring two types of identification before granting access.
• Monitoring service: With Monitoring service you can keep an eye on your personal data online and alert you if they detect unusual activity.
• DNS records: You can implement SPF, DMARC, DKIM, and PTR records. These email authentication methods help protect against email spoofing and increase email security.
• rDNS: Reverse DNS lookup can verify whether the server is associated with the domain it claims to represent.
• HTTPS and SSL certificates: Look for ‘https‘ in the URL and the padlock symbol in the browser for an SSL certificate that can help to identify secure websites. Phishing websites often lack these security measures, providing users with visual cues of a potential threat. 
• Education and awareness: Regular training on phishing attack recognition and safe online habits can be crucial for both businesses and individuals.
• Regular software updates: Keeping your software and systems updated ensures you have the latest security patches, making it harder for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.

Famous Phishing Attacks

Here are some of the most popular examples of Phishing attacks:

• Target Corporation (2013)

In late 2013, Target, one of the largest retail chains in the United States, fell victim to a sophisticated phishing attack that led to massive consequences. The attack began with a phishing email sent to an HVAC vendor that had access to Target’s network. The attackers then used the compromised vendor credentials to gain entry into Target’s systems. Ultimately, the breach resulted in the theft of over 40 million credit card numbers and personal information of 70 million customers. The incident highlighted the potential cascading impact of phishing attacks on large organizations.

• Sony Pictures (2014)

In 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment became the target of a highly publicized cyber attack. While the attack included elements beyond phishing, it was initiated through a carefully prepared email. The attackers sent phishing emails to Sony employees, tricking them into revealing login credentials. Afterwards, the attackers unleashed malware that disabled Sony’s computer systems, leading to the exposure of sensitive internal documents, emails, and unreleased films. The incident highlighted the potential for phishing to be a precursor to more extensive and damaging cyber intrusions.

• Facebook and Google (2017)

In 2017, a Lithuanian hacker produced a phishing attack targeting tech giants Facebook and Google. The attacker posed as a legitimate vendor and successfully convinced employees at both companies to wire over $100 million in payments for supposed goods and services. The scam involved fake invoices and email correspondence that appeared to be from reputable suppliers. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in the supply chain and payment processes of large corporations, emphasizing the need for strict verification procedures.

Conclusion

The landscape of cybercrime, particularly phishing, is ever-evolving. Therefore, staying informed and proactive in adopting protective measures is crucial. With the knowledge of how phishing works, what the current trends are, and how to defend against these attacks, individuals and organizations can greatly enhance their cybersecurity stance.

The post Understanding Phishing Attack and How to Stay Protected appeared first on ClouDNS Blog.