Understanding the Role of a Security Operations Center

What Are the Responsibilities of a Security Operations Center Team?

A security operations center (SOC) is essential for any organization in today’s data-driven world. A SOC is a group of cybersecurity experts responsible for monitoring and protecting an organization’s networks and information.

SOC teams play a critical role in keeping organizations secure. This article will discuss the SOC framework, how a SOC works, and the responsibilities of the various members of a SOC team.

What Is a Security Operations Center?

A SOC is comprised of specialized professionals trained in cybersecurity. Members of a SOC team may have education and experience in fields such as IT, computer science, and engineering.

While it’s not necessary for all members of a SOC to have a deep understanding of every aspect of cybersecurity, they should have a well-rounded working knowledge of the basics, since they are responsible for identifying and mitigating threats and responding to security incidents.

Job Roles in a Security Operations Center

A SOC team typically includes the following roles:

◉ Security analysts monitor the organization’s networks and systems for signs of security threats. They investigate any suspicious activity and take action to mitigate it.

◉ Incident responders are tasked with reacting to security incidents. They work with security analysts to identify and resolve any issues that arise.

◉ Systems administrators are responsible for maintaining the organization’s infrastructure by ensuring that all systems are running smoothly and securely.

◉ Network engineers are responsible for network infrastructure design, implementation, and troubleshooting.

What Are the Main Functions of a Security Operations Center?

The SOC framework is designed to help SOC teams effectively monitor and defend their organization’s networks and data. The main functions of a SOC team are as follows:

◉ Monitoring. SOC analysts monitor the organization’s networks and systems for signs of security threats. They look for any suspicious activity and take action to mitigate it.

◉ Threat intelligence. SOC analysts use threat intelligence to identify potential security threats. They track new threats and develop strategies to deal with them.

◉ Incident response. When a security incident occurs, the SOC team responds quickly and effectively to identify and resolve the issue.

◉ Security training. SOC analysts offer security awareness training for other staff members to protect the business from possible attacks (Koziol & Bottorff, 2021).

What Are the Benefits of Having a Security Operations Center Team?

In recent years, organizations have heavily invested in online software, tools, and databases, but with this digitization comes an increased demand for cybersecurity teams to protect these assets. As more and more confidential data points are exchanged online, cyber theft and malicious hacks have increased.

Having a group of individuals whose primary task is preventing cyberattacks is crucial for all organizations. SOC teams provide this protection and are an essential part of the security infrastructure for any organization that wants to keep its data safe.

With security such a significant concern in today’s digital environment, a dedicated SOC team is highly valuable to organizations. Here are some of the key benefits:

◉ Increased security. Businesses can strengthen their cybersecurity posture by having a team of experts dedicated to monitoring and protecting their networks and data.

◉ Reduced risk. A SOC can help reduce the risk of a security incident happening in an organization and mitigate damage if a breach does occur.

◉ Improved compliance. SOCs help organizations meet their compliance obligations by providing reports and evidence of their security measures.

◉ Reduced costs. Having a SOC can help organizations save money by reducing the number and severity of security incidents.

◉ Improved efficiency. A SOC can enhance the efficiency of an organization’s IT department by taking responsibility for cybersecurity and freeing up IT professionals to focus on other tasks.

By having a team of experts who can effectively monitor and respond to cyberthreats, businesses can reduce the number of security incidents they face. As data environments continue to become more complex, the need for knowledgeable SOC teams will only increase.

What Challenges Do Security Operations Centers Face Today?

SOCs have many responsibilities, and the SOC team can be easily overwhelmed if these issues are not properly managed. Some of the challenges faced by SOCs today include:

◉ Managing big data. SOCs are tasked with collecting and handling a vast amount of data (Kelley, 2022). This massive data can be a challenge for SOC teams, who may find it overwhelming to monitor and analyze.

◉ Keeping pace with new technologies. Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and part of a SOC’s responsibility is to keep up with the latest changes in technologies and attack techniques to stay ahead of the curve.

◉ Finding qualified personnel. SOCs require a team of skilled analysts who can identify and mitigate security threats. Given the cybersecurity talent shortage, this can be difficult to find in today’s market (Li, 2021).

◉ The increasing complexity of data environments. The number of devices that an organization has on its network increases the complexity of the environment. As an organization scales, it becomes more challenging for SOC analysts to track and respond to security threats.

◉ The growing number of cyberattacks. The frequency of cyberattacks is increasing by the day, making it more difficult for SOCs to keep up.

Source: eccouncil.org

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The Six Types of Cyberattacks You’re Most Likely to Face

Do you know what the most common types of cyberattacks are? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone: Many people don’t know the different types of cyberthreats that are out there. But as more and more businesses move their operations online, it’s important to have the knowledge and skills necessary to protect yourself against cybercriminals.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the most common cyberattacks and explain how you can defend yourself against them. To learn more, check out EC-Council’s Certified Secure Computer User (C|SCU) certification, which is designed to teach you about the types of cyberattacks that you’re most likely to encounter. The C|SCU course covers a wide range of security topics, from avoiding identity theft to recognizing social engineering tactics.

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of cyberattacks. These occur when cybercriminals send emails that appear to be legitimate but are actually designed to manipulate the recipient into providing sensitive information, clicking on a malicious link, or downloading a malicious attachment.

Read More: EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA v10)

Attackers can successfully pull off a phishing attack by sending a message that contains an urgent request for help, which tricks users into clicking on a link that will supposedly provide additional details or direct them to the correct location. Phishers may also execute attacks by creating websites that look extremely similar to legitimate ones; if a user isn’t paying close attention, it can be easy to mistake the fake website for the real one.

2. Social Engineering Attacks

Social engineering attacks are another common form of cyberattack. Social engineering techniques attempt to trick individuals into providing sensitive information to an attacker or enabling the attacker to use their computer for the attacker’s purposes without the user’s knowledge.

This kind of attack requires not just technical knowledge but also a certain level of social skills on the part of the attacker. Unlike most other cybercrime methods, social engineering relies almost entirely on human interaction. Social engineering is also one of the most challenging types of cyberattacks to prevent because it’s not always easy to identify that an attack is taking place.

3. Ransomware Attacks

A ransomware attack starts when hackers take control of a target’s computer and encrypt the files stored on it. The attacker then demands that the target pay a ransom to decrypt the files, usually in the form of an untraceable means of payment, such as Bitcoin.

This type of cyberattack is typically carried out using Trojans or another type of malware spread using phishing emails or social engineering techniques. Ransomware costs businesses more than $75 billion per year, according to PurpleSec’s (2021) ransomware statistics report.

4. Malware and Virus Attacks

Cybercriminals often attempt to install malware or a virus on a target’s computer to gain access to it and use it for their own purposes—for example, launching an attack against another machine or network. According to Purple Sec’s (2021) malware statistics, 92% of malware is delivered by email.

If you find that your computer is running much more slowly than usual or is crashing frequently, an attacker might be using it without your knowledge. If you notice any unusual activity on your machine, try to figure out what’s causing the problem as soon as possible. To protect yourself against malware and virus attacks, it’s important to keep all of your antivirus and security software up to date and to practice safe browsing habits.

5. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks

A denial-of-service (DoS) attack is one of the most common types of cyberattacks. DoS attacks are designed to take an online resource offline by flooding it with so much traffic that it crashes or becomes extremely slow. Cybercriminals might carry out DoS attacks because they want to gain access to information stored on a machine or website or to disrupt the activities of the person or organization responsible for running the targeted resource.

If you’re responsible for managing websites or machines that store important data, try using services like Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to protect your resources against DoS attacks. EC2 and AWS provide automatic scaling options that increase server capacity as you experience more traffic, making it more difficult for attackers to successfully carry out a DoS attack.

6. Spyware and Adware Attacks

Spyware and adware cyberattacks often go undetected. These forms of attacks generally involve the installation of software applications on a user’s computer without their knowledge or consent. Cybercriminals typically carry out these types of attacks because they want to use the target’s machine for their own reasons, such as engaging in cyber espionage or delivering ads for products that generate revenue for the attackers.

You can protect yourself against spyware and adware by keeping your antivirus and security software up to date, avoiding suspicious websites and apps, and regularly checking your browser settings to make sure they haven’t been changed without your knowledge.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How to Prevent Network Security Attacks

Five Ways to Defend Against Network Security Threats

Businesses of all sizes are susceptible to network security threats. Since hackers and cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to exploit network vulnerabilities, business owners must take steps to protect their data and infrastructure. This article will discuss five ways to prevent network security threats.

The Importance of Network Security

Before we discuss specific methods for thwarting network threats, it’s essential to understand the importance of network security. Having a secure network is vital to protecting data and preventing unauthorized access to systems. Additionally, maintaining a secure network can be part of meeting compliance requirements and protecting brand reputation (Bailkoski, 2021). Businesses that neglect network security are more likely to experience data breaches, which can be costly and damaging.

Common Network Security Threats

Businesses can face many types of threats to their networks. Some of the top network security risks include:

◉ Malware. Malware is a term used to describe a wide range of malicious software, including viruses, trojans, and spyware. Malware can be installed on a system without the user’s knowledge, where it can then cause damage or steal data.

◉ Spyware. Spyware is software that collects information about a user without their knowledge. It can track what websites a target visits and collect sensitive data, like passwords and credit card numbers.

◉ Phishing. Phishing attacks involve sending fraudulent emails or text messages to obtain sensitive information from recipients. The messages may appear to come from a legitimate source, such as a bank or credit card company, but are in reality sent by scammers.

◉ Ransomware. Ransomware is malware that locks users out of their computer or mobile device until a ransom payment is made. Ransomware viruses can be challenging to remove and can damage or delete files on a user’s system.

◉ Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. A DDoS attack is one of the most dangerous types of security threats (Mathew, 2021). It is a type of cyberattack in which multiple systems flood a target with traffic, making it unavailable for legitimate users. DDoS attacks can be very costly and difficult to defend against.

How to Prevent Network Attacks

There are many different ways to defend against network-related threats. Here are five of the most effective methods.

1. Install antivirus software.

One of the first lines of defense against malware and other viruses is to install antivirus software on all devices connected to a network (Roach & Watts, 2021). Antivirus software can detect and prevent malicious files from being installed on a system, and it should be updated regularly to include the latest definitions.

2. Create strong passwords.

Another essential step in protecting a network is to create strong passwords. Passwords should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. They should also not be easy to guess—for instance, the user’s name or the name of the company.

3. Enforce security policies.

A third way to reduce risk of attacks on a network is to enforce security policies. Security policies can help ensure that all devices on a network are protected against viruses and malware and that users are using strong passwords. These policies can also restrict access to some network regions and limit user privileges.

4. Use firewalls.

Firewalls are another essential tool in defending networks against security threats. A firewall can help prevent unauthorized access to a network by blocking incoming traffic from untrusted sources. Additionally, firewalls can be configured to allow only certain types of traffic, such as web traffic or email.

5. Monitor activity.

Finally, it’s important to monitor activity on the network. Tracking logs and other data enables suspicious activity to be identified quickly, allowing security personnel to take steps to investigate and mitigate potential threats.

Consequences of Network Breaches

Network security breaches can have severe consequences for businesses, including:

◉ Data loss. A network security breach can result in the loss of sensitive data, such as customer information or financial records.

◉ Damage to reputation. A breach can also damage a company’s reputation and make it difficult to regain the trust of customers and other stakeholders.

◉ Loss of revenue. In some cases, a network security breach can lead to a loss of revenue as customers take their business elsewhere.

◉ Increased costs. Breaches can also lead to increased costs, such as hiring new staff or upgrading security systems.

How to Become a Network Security Engineer

If you want to learn more about how to protect networks against security threats, consider enrolling in a network security certification course with accredited program provider EC-Council. EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (C|ND) program is designed to cover everything you need to know about network security protection, from the basics to advanced techniques.

The C|ND is designed to provide cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to defend networks against various security threats. The program covers a wide range of topics:

◉ Network security concepts. Get introduced to common security concepts, including viruses, malware, and firewalls.

◉ Network security threats. Learn about different network security threats, how to protect networks against them, and how to gain security access control.

◉ Operating system security. Understand the various features that can be used to secure Windows and Linux systems.

◉ Application security. Find out how to secure applications like web browsers and email clients.

◉ Networking fundamentals. Explore key networking concepts, such as TCP/IP packets and switches.

◉ Endpoint security. Learn about the different types of security measures that can be used to protect endpoint devices like laptops and smartphones.

◉ Traffic analysis. Become proficient in using tools like Wireshark to analyze network traffic and detect security threats.

◉ Incident response. Find out the steps that should be taken in the event of a security incident.

◉ Forensic investigation. Learn what occurs in the digital forensic investigation process, including how to collect evidence and identify the source of a security breach.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How Penetration Tests Can Prevent Social Engineering Attacks

How Can Penetration Testing Prevent Social Engineering Attacks?

Sensitive information is everywhere, from the databases of the world’s largest corporations to the social media pages of everyday individuals. Cybercriminals actively seek to acquire this data through social engineering techniques.

Since successful cyberattacks can be extremely costly for organizations, it’s essential to understand how to combat social engineering tactics. Read on to learn more about social engineering attacks and how penetration testers can prevent cybercrime.

What Is Social Engineering?

Social engineering includes a wide range of tactics that malicious hackers implement to acquire information from a target (Suraj, 2021). Essentially, perpetrators of social engineering attacks manipulate users into giving them confidential data, such as passwords or bank information, or access to computers, networks, or applications.

How Do Social Engineering Attacks Happen?

Cybercriminals often use a series of social engineering techniques to scam and manipulate their targets.

Social Engineering Techniques

1. Baiting

Baiting refers to the practice of tricking an intended target into providing sensitive data to malicious websites or applications with the false promise of a reward, such as a financial incentive.

2. Scareware

Scareware involves cybercriminals sending fake threats to individuals to frighten them into handing out their data. Scareware prompts users to install software that claims to protect their system but, in reality, is itself malware.

3. Pretexting

Pretexting occurs when cybercriminals impersonate coworkers, police officers, bankers, or other officials and ask targets to provide personal data, records, or information. Attackers work to establish trust with their targets by acting as authority figures.

4. Phishing

Phishing—a very common social engineering technique—is the practice of sending emails or text messages to targets and prodding them to provide sensitive information or follow links that may contain malware.

5. Spear Phishing

In spear phishing, a subtype of phishing, an attacker hones in on a specific target individual by posing as a family member, friend, or coworker. In this type of social engineering attack, the cybercriminal may pretend to be part of a company, such as an IT consultant, to coax a high-priority target into providing sensitive business data and information.

Defense Against Social Engineering Attacks

One strategy used to prevent social engineering attacks is penetration testing. During a penetration test, an authorized cybersecurity expert checks for security vulnerabilities within an organization’s networks, applications, systems, and devices. Penetration testers are responsible for identifying existing cybersecurity issues—including susceptibility to social engineering techniques—so that these problems can be fixed before cybercriminals can take advantage of them to successfully launch cyberattacks.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Top Penetration Testing Techniques for Security Professionals

Exploring Next-Generation Penetration Testing Techniques in the C|PENT Course

Cybersecurity has become critical as the need to protect digital infrastructure, personal data, and business operations grows. Cybersecurity professionals are always in demand, but to stay ahead of the curve, they need to keep up with the latest technologies, including advanced penetration testing techniques. This article will discuss some of the next-generation penetration testing techniques taught in EC-Council’s Certified Penetration Testing Professional (C|PENT) certification program.

What Is Penetration Testing, and Why Do Organizations Need It?

Penetration testing attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in a system or network to identify security issues. It is used to assess the security posture of a system or network and can help organizations find and fix weaknesses before attackers exploit them. Penetration testing should be part of any organization’s cybersecurity program, particularly if malicious actors have previously compromised its systems.

At-Risk Industries and Technologies

Many industries are at risk of cyberattacks. Some of the most commonly targeted sectors include the following.

Read More: EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES)

◉ Healthcare organizations are attractive targets for attackers due to the sensitive nature of patient data. Attackers may attempt to gain access to this data to sell it on illicit markets or use it to extort an organization.

◉ Banks and financial services providers are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the large amounts of money they handle. Attackers may attempt to steal customer information or financial data, which can be used to commit fraud or identity theft.

◉ Cloud services are becoming increasingly popular due to their many benefits, but they also entail an elevated risk of cyberattacks (Aggarwal, 2021). Since cloud providers host sensitive data and applications for their customers, they are appealing to attackers.

◉ Government agencies and organizations are often targeted by nation-state actors and other groups with political motivations. These attackers may attempt to access sensitive government data or disrupt critical infrastructure.

◉ Energy and utilities companies are prime targets for attackers who may want to disrupt the flow of electricity or oil. These attacks can have a significant impact on the economy and public safety.

In addition, certain technologies are also particularly appealing to malicious hackers.

◉ Internet of Things (IoT) devices are a growing trend and are ripe for cyber exploitation. As more devices connect to the internet, they become susceptible to cyberattacks. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices to gain access to sensitive data or take control of the device.

◉ Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and web applications are also common targets for attackers, as they are often not well protected and contain sensitive data or functionalities. Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in SCADA systems and web applications to gain access to data or control of the system.

◉ Databases are valuable targets for attackers, particularly when they contain a large amount of sensitive data that can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities. Attackers may exploit vulnerabilities in the database software or the underlying infrastructure.

The Top Penetration Techniques Used by Cybersecurity Professionals

EC-Council’s C|PENT certification course covers the latest techniques used in penetration testing.

Advanced Windows Attacks

This module covers advanced attacks against Windows systems. It deals with topics such as Active Directory exploitation, Kereberoasting, and Pass-the-Hash attacks.

◉ Active Directory exploitation enables attackers to gain access to sensitive data and take control of systems, making Active Directory a common target for hackers.

◉ Kerberoasting extracts password hashes from Active Directory. This information can be used to crack passwords or perform Pass-the-Hash attacks.

◉ In a Pass-the-Hash attack, a hacker authenticates using the hash of a user’s password, which they can then use to gain access to systems and data without having the actual password.

Internet of Things Hacking

This module focuses on attacks against IoT devices and systems and includes topics such as embedded device hacking and wireless attacks.

◉ Successfully hacking embedded devices can give hackers access to the data and functionality of these devices. This information can be used to perform attacks against the underlying system or network.

◉ Wireless networks are often targeted in IoT cyberattacks. By understanding how to exploit vulnerabilities in wireless networks, hackers can gain access to sensitive data or take control of IoT systems and devices.

Bypassing a Filtered Network

This module looks at techniques for bypassing firewalls or other network security measures. It covers topics such as port forwarding, tunneling, and DNS cache poisoning.

◉ Port forwarding can be used to bypass firewall restrictions, thus enabling access to the systems or data behind the firewall.

◉ Tunneling is a technique that can encrypt traffic and bypass security measures. Understanding how to tunnel traffic offers another means of accessing data or taking control of systems.

◉ DNS cache poisoning is a technique used to redirect traffic from one system to another (Raymond, 2021). Poisoning the DNS cache can reroute traffic from a legitimate site to an attacker-controlled site.

Operational Technology Penetration Testing

This module covers the assessment of operational technology (OT) systems. It deals with topics such as SCADA system security, industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA malware, and OT network analysis.

◉ A thorough understanding of SCADA system security is necessary to identify vulnerabilities in these systems. This information can be used to perform attacks against the underlying system or network.

◉ Malware designed for ICS and SCADA systems can be used to take control of these systems.

◉ OT networks are often different from other types of networks. Understanding the unique aspects of how OT networks work enables hackers and penetration testers to identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited to perform Denial-of-Service attacks against these networks.

Double Pivoting

This module looks at the use of double pivoting to access hidden networks. It covers topics such as using two pivot points for reconnaissance and using Metasploit to pivot through two systems.

◉ Hidden networks can be accessed by using two pivot points for reconnaissance. This information can be used to find vulnerabilities in associated systems.

◉ Metasploit is a penetration testing software framework that can exploit vulnerabilities via double pivoting, among other techniques.

Privilege Escalation

This module covers techniques for escalating privileges on a system. It covers topics such as Windows and Linux privilege escalation and how to use Metasploit to escalate privileges.

◉ Privilege escalation is a technique that increases the access of a low-privileged user to a system, allowing them to access files only viewable to users with elevated privileges. By understanding how to escalate privileges, penetration testers can improve their chances of taking control of a system.

Weaponizing Exploits

This module covers the use of Metasploit to create and deliver exploits. It covers topics such as creating payloads, setting up listeners, and delivering exploits.

◉ A payload is the component of an exploit that is used to achieve the desired outcome. This could be anything from launching a Denial-of-Service attack to stealing data. Understanding how to create payloads can enable penetration testers to deliver exploits that control a system.

◉ Listeners are programs used to receive information from systems that have been compromised.

◉ Exploits are tools that can take control of systems. These include buffer overflow exploits and SQL injection exploits. By understanding how to deliver exploits, penetration testers can gain access to sensitive data or take control of systems.

Cloud Penetration Testing

This module covers the assessment of cloud-based systems. It includes topics such as assessing cloud security, attacking cloud applications, and detecting malicious activity in the cloud.

◉ Assessing the security of cloud-based systems is an essential aspect of protecting data (Grange, 2021). Understanding how to evaluate the security of a cloud-based system is key to preventing data from being accessed by unauthorized users.

◉ Cloud applications are often vulnerable to attack. It’s therefore essential for penetration testers to know how to attack cloud applications to gain access to sensitive data or take control of systems.

◉ Since the cloud is a common target for attackers, knowing how to detect malicious activity in the cloud is an important way for penetration testers to stop hackers from causing damage.

Wireless Penetration Testing

This module covers the assessment of wireless networks. It covers topics such as wireless network discovery and cracking WEP/WPA/WPA-PSK keys.

◉ Wireless networks are often exposed to attack. Different types of wireless networks have different security protocols, so it’s essential to know which kind of network you’re dealing with. By understanding how to discover wireless networks, penetration testers can identify them and assess their security.

◉ Cracking WEP/WPA/WPA-PSK keys is essential for gaining access to wireless networks. By cracking these keys, hackers and penetration testers can gain access to sensitive data or take control of the network.

Binary Analysis and Exploitation

This module covers the analysis of flawed binaries, including static analysis, dynamic analysis, and reverse engineering.

◉ Static analysis is essential for understanding how code works before a program is actually run. Penetration testers can use static analysis to identify flaws in code before they can be exploited.

◉ Dynamic analysis is the process of observing a program’s execution. This can be done through tools such as debuggers and emulators. Dynamic analysis differs from static analysis in that the former can be used to observe a program’s execution and identify vulnerabilities in real time.

◉ Reverse engineering is vital for understanding the internal workings of a program. By understanding how to reverse-engineer code, penetration testers can find vulnerabilities in a binary that can be exploited.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Six Best Practices for Secure Network Firewall Configuration

Network firewalls provide an essential aspect of network security by monitoring traffic and preventing unauthorized traffic from accessing systems. Reliable network firewall security doesn’t automatically happen when an organization adds a firewall to its IT ecosystem, however. Follow these six best practices for firewall configuration to improve network security and protect organizations from malware and other types of attacks.

Read More: EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

1. Configure Network Firewalls to Block Traffic by Default

Even when IT teams do their best to follow firewall configuration best practices, they risk missing vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit. Setting firewall security to block traffic by default helps address this problem. When IT teams block all unknown traffic trying to access the network, they make it much more challenging for unethical hackers to infiltrate the system.

2. Follow the Principle of Least Privilege

Of course, some people will legitimately need access to an organization’s network. Organizations can configure their network firewall security to allow authorized users, but that doesn’t mean that cybersecurity teams need to give them unlimited access. Each account should only have access to the files and tools necessary to do the user’s job.

For example, an account belonging to a third-party vendor that fulfills orders only needs access to information about purchased products and where to send them. The vendor does not need any information about business processes, customer payment records, or other sensitive data. Following the principle of least privilege will ensure that all types of firewalls are able to secure the network more effectively.

3. Specify Source IP Addresses Unless Everyone Needs Access

In rare cases, IT teams might want to give everyone access to a part of the network. In these cases, they can configure their source IP addresses as ANY—for example, to let anyone visit a business’s website.

If you don’t want everyone on the internet to have access to a part of the network, however, specify the source IP addresses. Taking this step will limit the IP addresses to which traffic can connect.

4. Designate Specific Destination Ports

Always make sure that your organization’s firewall network configuration designates specific destination ports for connected services. Perhaps a business has a destination port that lets authorized users access client contact information. In that case, establish that destination port as the source of that data and only let authorized accounts connect to it.

5. Open the Firewall Ports That Users Expect

Take the time to learn which ports users expect to find open when they try to access networks. The ports that IT teams open will depend on a few factors, such as the services and data that users tend to access and the types of servers and databases that the organization uses. You can find more information about Microsoft server ports here (Czechowski et al., 2022) and Linux server ports here (Kumar, 2021).

6. Designate Specific IP Address Destinations

Designating specific IP address destinations serves a similar purpose as designating destination ports. Organizations want to limit access to IP addresses to prevent unauthorized traffic from entering their networks.

Additionally, this type of firewall network protection can help prevent distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. DDoS attacks have become increasingly common, especially in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China (Sava, 2022). Implementing defenses against this type of attack is key to ensuring that customers, vendors, and employees can maintain access to the network.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Digital Threats and Cyberattacks at the Network Level

An enterprise network helps ensure that business workflow is efficient and easy to maintain. However, owing to the complexity and large size of such networks, security threats can enter through interconnected endpoints (Geeks for Geeks, 2021). Once malicious parties gain entry into an organization’s network and internal systems, they can cause serious harm and steal sensitive data.

Types of Network Attacks

Network-level attacks can be either passive or active. In a passive attack, malicious agents gain unauthorized network access and steal sensitive data without altering it. They simply want to use their theft to profit by accessing client accounts or selling information to other bad actors.

An active network attack, in contrast, is a bit more like vandalizing a building. In an active network attack, the attacker gains access to a network and modifies or damages the data stored there—for example, by deleting or encrypting it.

Network-level attacks differ from other types of software- and hardware-related attacks. Malicious hackers executing network attacks often aim to gain access to an organization’s network perimeter and thereby its internal systems.

Once they have this access, they can launch other types of attacks. These digital threats include:

◉ Malware attacks. These attacks use malware to infect an organization’s IT resources. The attacker can then compromise the network and systems and damage vital information.

◉ Advanced persistent threats (APTs). An APT is a sustained, intricate cyberattack that leaves an undetectable presence in a computer network, allowing cybercriminals to steal information and affect computer operations over a long period of time (CrowdStrike, 2021).

◉ Vulnerability exploits. These attacks take advantage of vulnerabilities within an organization’s software to gain unauthorized access, which is then used to compromise business systems.

◉ Endpoint attacks. These are attacks in which hackers obtain unauthorized access to endpoints within a network. These endpoints may include servers or user devices, which can then be attacked with malware.

Common Forms of Network Attacks

Unauthorized Access

Attackers gain network access without permission from the concerned parties thanks to compromised accounts, weak passwords, and insider threats.

Malware

Perpetrators can corrupt network data and system files via malicious software known as malware (Geeks for Geeks, 2021). Several common types of malware include:

◉ Computer viruses. This malware spreads quickly between computer devices. Computer viruses can be brought into a network system via email downloads or website downloads. Once inside, the malware quickly moves to steal vital data or harm the network.

◉ Computer worms. This malicious software moves from computer to computer in a network, quickly replicating as infected files are shared.

◉ Ransomware. Ransomware is malware that infects a network and prevents users from accessing files until a ransom is paid to the hackers.

Phishing

Phishing is an email method used to trick internet users into revealing personal and financial data (Federal Trade Commission, 2019). These phishing emails usually claim to come from a legitimate source and ask for private information. Unwary users may provide their social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other sensitive information.

OnPath Attacks

In an OnPath network attack (also known as a “man-in-the-middle” attack), a malicious party attempts to intercept a private dialogue to direct the theft of sensitive information (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2020). These tactics allow hackers to gain access to important files.

SQL Injection

Poorly designed websites are prone to SQL injection attacks. This tactic allows bad actors to change queries to a database. In this way, hackers can corrupt applications so that they harm a target network.

Denial of Service

Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks attempt to cause a website to crash due to a malicious and unwarranted overload of traffic, thereby denying access to legitimate users.

Other types of network attacks include browser-based attacks, such as cross-site scripting, and password-spraying attacks, which use brute-force techniques to gain account access (Ranjan, 2021).

How to Protect Your Network

◉ Always use strong passwords and change them often for additional security.

◉ Use internal IP addresses instead of those assigned to free public networks.

◉ Set up a firewall to block malicious attacks.

◉ Encrypt sensitive personal data into ciphertext readable only by authorized users.

◉ Install antivirus software on all network devices to protect against computer worms, viruses, and other digital threats.

◉ Mark all suspicious attachments and emails as spam. Don’t open these attachments if you’re at all unsure of their origins.

◉ Use an encrypted connection instead of vulnerable networks like Wi-Fi hotspots.

◉ Set up a virtual private network (VPN) to mask your internet activity.

◉ Ensure that employees are regularly trained on the various types of network attacks and what can be done to prevent them.

◉ Utilize deception technology to place decoys throughout your network. These decoys will provoke attacks and allow you to closely observe hackers’ techniques.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Difference between Cryptography and Cyber Security

Cyber Security :

Cybersecurity, as the name suggests, is a process or measures taken by organizations or experts to protect devices, computer networks, or data from malicious activities.  It is considered as one of the remedies to alleviate cyber crime. In simple words, it refers to keeping data secure. It also maintains safe and stable business operations even in face of cyber threats.  

Cryptography : 

Cryptography, as the name suggests, is a process that is mainly used to encrypt and decrypt data or messages that cannot be deciphered by unauthorized access. It deploys the use of scrambled or distorted symbols. It is simply used to provide extra security to ensure that only authorized users can understand the message. In simple words, it refers to the method used to protect sensitive information.  

Difference between Cybersecurity and Cryptography :

Cyber Security	Cryptography
It is a process of keeping networks, devices, programs, data secret and safe from damage or unauthorized access.	It is a process of keeping information secret and safe simply by converting it into unintelligible information and vice-versa.
It is all about managing cyber risks in all aspects such as people, process, technology, etc.	It is all about math functions and can be applied in technical solutions for increasing cybersecurity.
Its main objective is to prevent or mitigate harm or destruction of computer networks, applications, devices, and data.	Its main objective is to keep plain text secret from eaves or droppers who are trying to have access to some information about the plain text.
It is generally used for the protection of internet-connected systems like software, hardware, and data, risk management, disaster planning, access control, policies.	It is generally used for integrity, entity authentication, data origin authentication, non-repudiation, etc.
It protects the system against viruses, worms, unwanted programs, etc., protects the computer from being hacked, reduces computer freezing and crashes, provides privacy to users, etc.	It protects authentication and data across devices, maintains integrity, provides privacy to its best, allows two parties to communicate securely, etc.
It makes cryptography one of its subsets and uses it to design algorithms, ciphers, and security measures that usually codify and keep company and customer data protected.	It is an automated mathematical tool that is used to enhance and improve cybersecurity.
It generally involves the implementation of specific procedures to keep data safe.	It generally mitigates or reduces cyber-crime simply by using elaborate design to encrypt messages.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Cyber Security – Introduction to DNS Tunneling

DNS(Domain Name System) is a host-name to IP address interpretation service. It is an application layer protocol for message exchange among users and servers. Each host is recognized by the IP address, yet recalling numbers is exceptionally hard for individuals, and furthermore, the IP addresses are not static subsequently. So DNS is utilized to change over the domain name of the sites to their numerical IP address.

What is DNS Tunneling?

DNS Tunneling is a strategy for a digital exploit that encodes the information of different programs or protocols in DNS inquiries and responses. DNS tunneling frequently incorporates information payloads that can be added to an exploited domain name server and used to control a distant system and applications. Normally, DNS tunneling requires the undermined framework to have outside organization availability, as DNS tunneling expects admittance to an interior DNS server with network access. Hackers should likewise control a system that can go about as a definitive server to execute the server-side tunneling and information payload executable programs.

Why DNS Tunneling is a Problem?

DNS was initially made for name resolution and not for data exchange, so it’s regularly not seen as a malignant interchange of information and data exfiltration danger. Since DNS is entrenched and confided protocol, attackers realize that organizations seldom investigate DNS packets for malevolent movement. DNS has less consideration and most organizations center assets around breaking down web or email traffic where they believe, attacks regularly occur. As a general rule, constant endpoint checking is needed to discover and forestall DNS tunneling. Besides, tunneling application bundles have become an industry and are uncontrollably accessible on the Internet, so hackers don’t generally require specialized advancement to execute DNS tunneling exploits.

1. DNS tunneling exploits can give aggressors a consistently accessible back channel to exfiltrate taken information. It depends on utilizing DNS as a convert correspondence channel to sidestep a firewall.

2. Hackers tunnel various types of protocols like SSH or HTTP with DNS, at that point secretly pass stolen information or passage IP traffic.

3. A DNS tunnel can be utilized as a full controller channel for an already exploited inside host. This lets secretly the hackers move records out of the organization, download new code to the existing malware, or have total distant admittance to the servers, etc.

4. DNS tunnels can likewise be utilized to bypass captive portals, to abstain from paying for Wi-Fi services.

5. DNS tunneling utilizes the DNS protocol to tunnel the malware and other information through a client-server model.

How Does DNS Tunneling Works?

1. The hacker enlists a domain, for example, hello.com. This domain name server focuses on the aggressor’s system, where a tunneling malware program is introduced. The hacker exploits a PC, which frequently sits behind an organization’s firewall, with malware.

2. Since DNS demands are constantly permitted to move all through the firewall, the attacked PC is permitted to send an inquiry to the DNS resolver. The DNS resolver is a server that transfers demands for IP addresses to root and high-level domain-servers.

3. The DNS resolver courses the inquiry to the aggressor’s command server, where the tunneling program is introduced. Presently, a connection has been established between the attacked person and the hacker through the DNS resolver.

4. This passage can be utilized to exfiltrate information or for different pernicious purposes. Since there is no direct connection made between the victim and hacker, which makes it harder to follow the hacker’s PC.

DNS is essential to all organizations. Lamentably, obstructing DNS-based dangers is a significant test, and cybercriminals are utilizing its inescapable however not entirely obvious exploitable surface for their potential benefit. 

As per research, over 80% of malware utilizes DNS to distinguish a command-and-control (C2) server to take information and spread malware. On the head of that, aggressors are expanding their utilization of domain generation algorithms (DGAs) to make it considerably harder to distinguish and stop these dangers. Then, security groups are feeling the squeeze to authorize predictable insurance against a large number of new malevolent domains and remain in front of cutting edge strategies like DNS tunneling.

Common Abuse Cases 

1. Information Exfiltration: Attackers sneak delicate information out over DNS. It’s absolutely not the most proficient approach to get information from a casualty’s PC—with all the additional overhead and encoding—yet it can work.

2. Command and Control (C2): Hackers utilize the DNS convention to send basic orders to a remote access trojan (RAT).

3. IP-Over-DNS Tunneling: There are utilities that have actualized the IP stack on the DNS inquiry reaction convention. That would make it generally simple to move information utilizing standard communication programs like FTP, Netcat, ssh, etc.

Detecting DNS Tunneling

1. Payload Analysis: In this, the cybersecurity specialists are taking a gander at bizarre information being sent to and fro: peculiar-looking hostnames, a DNS record type that is not utilized all that frequently, and unordinary character sets that can be spotted by factual strategies. This technique can help us in detecting certain DNS Tunneling utilities.

2. Traffic Analysis: Protectors are taking a gander at the number of solicitations to a DNS and contrasting it against normal utilization. Attackers who are performing DNS tunneling will make exceptionally weighty traffic to the DNS. In principle, a lot more noteworthy than ordinary DNS communication. This strategy does a search for some specific attributes which help in the detection process such as no. of hostnames per domain, geographic location, domain’s history, etc.

3. DNS Monitoring Utilities: There are also some utilities available for monitoring the DNS like dnsHunter, reassemble dns, etc.

Common DNS Tunneling Toolkits

1. Iodine: Through this one can easily tunnel the IPv4 information through a DNS server.  It makes an organization interface on every one of the customers and associates them together as though they had a similar organization. This element is interesting to Iodine since different DNS tunneling instruments center around tunneling explicit ports, and not the whole IPv4 traffic. This permits PCs to ping one another, control all UDP/TCP ports, and all different conventions that are embodied by an IP header. This tool is a built-in case of the Kali OS but incases of others both the client and the server can be configured by using a TUN/TAP device. Features of this tool include self-optimization, high-performance, portability, authentication. But there are some problems also which include tunneling of only IPv4 traffic, no encryption of tunneled data, requirements of drivers.

2. DNSCat2: This toolkit is partitioned into two segments, a client and a server. The server is programmed in C language whereas the client is in Ruby. The server is extensive and can uphold associations from numerous customers, which makes it an essential C&C worker. It should run first, before any of the customers. Some of its features include encryption, sessions just like Metasploit, and tunnels for TCP forwarding, etc. But, the problems we can face with the toolkit include slow performance, limited sessions, tunneling limitations.

3. Heyoka: This is a tool commonly used for exfiltration with the support of dismissive DNS queries in order to create a bidirectional connection. this tool isn’t under dynamic improvement any longer and as indicated by its creators, is up to 60% quicker than other toolkits available. This tool generally makes the identification by a firewall and finding the machine that is tunneling a lot harder. So, it right now works just on Windows. Some of its features include high-performance, complex attacks, independent of interpreters or compilers. But, the problems we can face with this include instability, executable only on windows OS, no encryption, etc.

4. There are much more available such as OzymanDNS, etc.

Precautions For DNS Tunneling

1. Always use a tool which can easily distinguish between both preconfigured toolkits and different methods

2. Boycott stations are known for information exfiltration

3. Incorporate a DNS firewall that searches for DNS tunneling

4. Do automated monitoring, which can be done by using real-time analytics

5. Preferably, DNS protection should be accomplished by stand-alone solutions

6. Make those tools come into play which can easily detect various malicious queries, and effectively terminate them.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Cybersecurity vs Network Security vs Information Security

The security of a computer network is a crucial task. It is a process of ensuring confidentiality and integrity. A system is said to be secure if its resources are used and accessed as intended under all the circumstances, but no system can guarantee absolute security from several of various malicious threats and unauthorized access.

In this article, we will see the difference between Cybersecurity vs Network Security vs Information Security.

Cyber Security:

Cybersecurity is the method of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. Cybersecurity involves techniques that help and secure various digital components Networks, data, and computer systems from Unauthorized digital access. There are multiple ways to implement cyber security depending on the kind of network you are connected to and the type of cyber-attacks you are prone to. Common Cyber Security Risks:

◉ Social engineering

◉ Brute force

◉ Baiting

◉ Ransomware

Network Security:

Network Security is the method of protecting the usability and integrity of your network and data. It includes both hardware and software terminologies. Effective network security manages access to the network. It targets a variety of threats and stops them from entering or spreading on your network. Common Network Security Risks:

◉ Viruses, worms, and trojans

◉ Denial of Service (DOS) attack

◉ Zero-day attacks

Information Security:

Information security is the measures taken to protect the records from unauthorized entry and use. It gives confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Information Security is the superset that contains cyber security and network safety. it is vital for any enterprise or firm that works on a large scale. data can be electronic or physical. Common Information Security Risks:

◉ Access 

◉ Destruction

◉ Availability

Difference Between Cyber Security, Network Security, and Information Security:

Cyber Security	Network Security	Information Security
Cybersecurity is the method of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.	Network Security is the method of protecting the usability and integrity of your network and data.	Information security is the measures taken to protect the records from unauthorized entry and use.
Cyber Security is a subpart of Information Security.	Network Security is a subpart of Cyber Security.	Cyber Security & Network Security comes under Information Security.
It protects anything in the cyber area.	It protects anything in the network area.	Information security is for information irrespective of the space.
It deals with protection from cyber attacks.	It deals with protection from DOS (Denial of Service) attacks.	It deals with the security of data from any kind of threat.
Cyber security attacks against cybercrime and cyber fraud.	Network Security attacks against trojans.	Information Security attacks against unauthorized access, disclosure modification, and disruption.
Cyber security ensures the security of the entire digital data.	Network security only ensures the security of transit data.	Information security ensures the protection of transit and digital data.
It deals with the security of the data resting.	It secures data traveling across the network by terminals.	It gives integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
Common Cyber Security Risks: ◉ Social engineering ◉ Brute force ◉ Baiting ◉ Ransomware	Common Network Security Risks: ◉ Viruses, worms, and trojans ◉ Denial of Service (DOS) attack ◉ Zero-day attacks	Common Information Security Risks: ◉ Access ◉ Destruction ◉ Availability

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Emerging Attack Vectors in Cyber Security

In this article we will discuss some emerging attack vectors with their potentially high impact on the security of web application. We will cover Introduction to attack vector, Insecure Direct Object Reference, Relative Path Overwrite, Directory Brute Forcing. Let’s discuss it one by one.

Attack Vectors :

◉ Attack vector is basically a method used by the hacker or security analyst to penetrate in target application for some malicious use or to check the security features of application.

◉ Every ethical hacker has their own and unique attack vector to check the security of target application, this application may become web application or android application but in this article we are mainly focusing on web application.

◉ In this article you can learn some emerging attack vector with their impact. You can use any attack vector on the application if and only if you have legal permission to check their security features. Don’t apply any attack vector on application without permission of application owner it is totally illegal to penetrate in application without legal permission.

Insecure Direct Object Reference :

◉ Insecure Direct Object Reference is commonly known as IDOR, it is basically permission based vulnerability which allows an attacker to modify or access resources belonging to other users of the application. 

◉ Fundamental concept behind the IDOR vulnerability is that an endpoint of application tries to give access for modifying and accessing the user data, data may contain images, address, files and in some cases is main to contain the username and password of user.

◉ Now days IDOR is common and emerging attack vector for web application because, cause IDOR vulnerability is access permission and problem related to permission cannot be fixed automatically or by default because in web application permission varies from user to user. 

◉ For example, on any application normal user and prime user has different access permission, normal user and admin has different permission for modification of data.

◉ Basically this class of vulnerability is everywhere, in fact it is so common that the majority of the web application are affected by this.

Relative Path Overwrite :

◉ Security researcher Gareth Heyes discovered the new attack vector namely as Relative Path Overwrite(RPO). RPO exploits the way of browsers to interpret relative paths during importing CSS files into DOM (document object model) hence this attack also known as Path Relative Style sheet Import (PRSSI).

Relative Path -

<link href="database/xyz.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>

Absolute Path -

<link href="https://example.com /database/xyz.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>

◉ Example –

For example, if the document was loaded at https://example.com /database then the CSS will be loaded from the path https://example.com /database/xyz.css in the case of relative path. If website has URL : https://example.com /index.html and they link the <link href=”resource/rpo.css” rel=”stylesheet” type=” text/CSS”/> given path in html file. 

In this scenario if we visit https://example.com /index.html this URL then website can import its CSS file through given path but if attacker change URL to https://example.com /index.htm/random/payload it’s also work due to the flexible nature of server-side programming languages and web frameworks but this time CSS does not load from the path given in html file. And by adding the payloads at vulnerable end point attacker can control the CSS of web application.

Directory Brute Forcing :

◉ This is very popular and simple attack vector, most of the ethical hacker use this vector to find hidden and sensitive directory on the web application.There are various automated tools are available for testing this attack vector. 

◉ Many times developer forgot to make sensitive files and directory hidden, like files containing database username, password, source code of website, etc. due to this information may leak at particular endpoint and by brute forcing the directories attack may find the hidden data and sensitive information of web application. 

◉ As a developer it is good practice to make all sensitive directories hidden from user. 

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Difference Between Artificial Intelligence vs Machine Learning vs Deep Learning

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence is basically the mechanism to incorporate human intelligence into machines through a set of rules(algorithm). AI is a combination of two words: “Artificial” meaning something made by humans or non-natural things and “Intelligence” meaning the ability to understand or think accordingly. Another definition could be that “AI is basically the study of training your machine(computers) to mimic a human brain and it’s thinking capabilities”. AI focuses on 3 major aspects(skills): learning, reasoning and self-correction to obtain maximum efficiency possible.

Machine Learning: Machine Learning is basically the study/process which provides the system(computer) to learn automatically on its own through experiences it had and improve accordingly without being explicitly programmed. ML is an application or subset of AI. ML focuses on the development of programs so that it can access data to use it for themselves. The entire process makes observations on data to identify the possible patterns being formed and make better future decisions as per the examples provided to them. The major aim of ML is to allow the systems to learn by themselves through the experience without any kind of human intervention or assistance.

Deep Learning: Deep Learning is basically a sub-part of the broader family of Machine Learning which makes use of Neural Networks(similar to the neurons working in our brain) to mimic human brain-like behavior. DL algorithms focus on information processing patterns mechanism to possibly identify the patterns just like our human brain does and classifies the information accordingly. DL works on larger sets of data when compared to ML and prediction mechanism is self-administered by machines.

Below is a table of differences between Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning:

Artificial Intelligence	Machine Learning	Deep Learning
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, and is basically the study/process which enables machines to mimic human behaviour through particular algorithm.	ML stands for Machine Learning, and is the study that uses statistical methods enabling machines to improve with experience.	DL stands for Deep Learning, and is the study that makes use of Neural Networks(similar to neurons present in human brain) to imitate functionality just like a human brain.
AI is the broader family consisting of ML and DL as it’s components.	ML is the subset of AI.	DL is the subset of ML.
AI is a computer algorithm which exhibits intelligence through decision making.	ML is an AI algorithm which allows system to learn from data.	DL is a ML algorithm that uses deep(more than one layer) neural networks to analyze data and provide output accordingly.
Search Trees and much complex math is involved in AI.	If you have a clear idea about the logic(math) involved in behind and you can visualize the complex functionalities like K-Mean, Support Vector Machines, etc., then it defines the ML aspect.	If you are clear about the math involved in it but don’t have idea about the features, so you break the complex functionalities into linear/lower dimension features by adding more layers, then it defines the DL aspect.
The aim is to basically increase chances of success and not accuracy.	The aim is to increase accuracy not caring much about the success ratio.	It attains the highest rank in terms of accuracy when it is trained with large amount of data.
Three broad categories/types Of AI are: Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI)	Three broad categories/types Of ML are: Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning and Reinforcement Learning	DL can be considered as neural networks with a large number of parameters layers lying in one of the four fundamental network architectures: Unsupervised Pre-trained Networks, Convolutional Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks and Recursive Neural Networks
The efficiency Of AI is basically the efficiency provided by ML and DL respectively.	Less efficient than DL as it can’t work for longer dimensions or higher amount of data.	More powerful than ML as it can easily work for larger sets of data.
Examples of AI applications include: Google’s AI-Powered Predictions, Ridesharing Apps Like Uber and Lyft, Commercial Flights Use an AI Autopilot, etc.	Examples of ML applications include: Virtual Personal Assistants: Siri, Alexa, Google, etc., Email Spam and Malware Filtering.	Examples of DL applications include: Sentiment based news aggregation, Image analysis and caption generation, etc.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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What is Spoofing in Cyber Security?

Spoofing is a completely new beast created by merging age-old deception strategies with modern technology. Spoofing is a sort of fraud in which someone or something forges the sender’s identity and poses as a reputable source, business, colleague, or other trusted contact in order to obtain personal information, acquire money, spread malware, or steal data.

Types of Spoofing:

◉ IP Spoofing

◉ ARP Spoofing

◉ Email Spoofing

◉ Website Spoofing Attack

◉ DNS Spoofing

IP Spoofing:

IP is a network protocol that allows you to send and receive messages over the internet. The sender’s IP address is included in the message header of every email message sent (source address). By altering the source address, hackers and scammers alter the header details to hide their original identity. The emails then look to have come from a reliable source. IP spoofing can be divided into two categories.

- Man in the Middle Attacks: Communication between the original sender of the message and the intended recipient is intercepted, as the term implies. The message’s content is then changed without the knowledge of either party. The attacker inserts his own message into the packet. 

- Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: In this technique, the sender and recipient’s message packets are intercepted, and the source address is spoofed. The connection has been seized. The recipient is thus flooded with packets in excess of their bandwidth or resources. This overloads the victim’s system, effectively shutting it down.

Drawback:

In a Man-in-the-middle attack, even the receiver doesn’t know where the connection got originated. This is completely a blind attack. To successfully carry out his attack, he will require a great deal of experience and understanding of what to expect from the target’s responses.

Preventive measures:

Disabling source-routed packets and all external incoming packets with the same source address as a local host are two of the most frequent strategies to avoid this type of attack.

ARP Spoofing: 

ARP spoofing is a hacking method that causes network traffic to be redirected to a hacker. Sniffing out LAN addresses on both wired and wireless LAN networks is known as spoofing. The idea behind this sort of spoofing is to transmit false ARP communications to Ethernet LANs, which can cause traffic to be modified or blocked entirely.

The basic work of ARP is to match the IP address to the MAC address. Attackers will transmit spoofed messages across the local network. Here the response will map the user’s MAC address with his IP address. Thus attacker will gain all information from the victim machine.  

Preventive measures:

To avoid ARP poisoning, you can employ a variety of ways, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Static ARP entries, encryption, VPNs, and packet sniffing are just a few examples.

◉ Static ARP entries: It entails creating an ARP entry in each computer for each machine on the network. Because the machines can ignore ARP replies, mapping them with sets of static IP and MAC addresses helps to prevent spoofing attempts. Regrettably, this approach can only defend you from some of the most basic attacks.

◉ Encryption: Protocols like HTTPS and SSH can also help to reduce the probability of an ARP poisoning attempt succeeding. When traffic is encrypted, the attacker must go through the extra effort of convincing the target’s browser to accept an invalid certificate. Any data sent outside of these standards, however, will remain vulnerable.

◉ VPN: Individuals may find a VPN to be reasonable protection, but they are rarely suitable for larger enterprises. A VPN will encrypt all data that flows between the client and the exit server if it is only one person making a potentially unsafe connection, such as accessing public wifi at an airport. Since an attacker will only be able to see the ciphertext, this helps to keep them safe.

◉ Packet filters: Each packet delivered across a network is inspected by these filters. They can detect and prevent malicious transmissions as well as those with suspected IP addresses.

Email Spoofing: 

The most common type of identity theft on the Internet is email spoofing. Phishers, send emails to many addresses and pose as representatives of banks, companies, and law enforcement agencies by using official logos and headers. Links to dangerous or otherwise fraudulent websites, as well as attachments loaded with malicious software, are included in the emails they send.

Attackers may also utilize social engineering techniques to persuade the target to voluntarily reveal information. Fake banking or digital wallet websites are frequently created and linked to in emails.  When an unknowing victim clicks on that link, they are brought to a false site where they must log in with their information, which is then forwarded to the fake user behind the fake email.

Manual Detection Method:

◉ Even though the display name appears to be real, if it does not match the “From” address, it is an indication of email spoofing.

◉ Mail is most likely fake if the “Reply-to” address does not match the original sender’s address or domain.

◉ Unexpected messages (such as a request for sensitive information or an unwanted attachment) should be opened with caution or reported immediately to your IT department, even if the email appears to come from a trustworthy source.

Preventive measures:

Implement additional checks like Sender Policy Framework, DomainKeys Identified Mail, Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance, and Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions.

Website Spoofing Attack: 

Attackers employ website/URL spoofing, also known as cybersquatting, to steal credentials and other information from unwary end-users by creating a website that seems almost identical to the actual trustworthy site. This is frequently done with sites that receive a lot of traffic online. The cloning of Facebook is a good example.  

DNS Spoofing: 

Each machine has a unique IP address. This address is not the same as the usual “www” internet address that you use to access websites. When you type a web address into your browser and press enter, the Domain Name System (DNS) immediately locates and sends you to the IP address that matches the domain name you provided. Hackers have discovered a technique to infiltrate this system and redirect your traffic to harmful sites. This is known as DNS Spoofing.

Preventive measures:

◉ DNSSEC or Domain Name System Security Extension Protocol is the most widely used DNS Spoofing prevention solution since it secures the DNS by adding layers of authentication and verification. However, it takes time to verify that the DNS records are not forged, this slows down the DNS response.

◉ Make use of SSL/TLS encryption to minimize or mitigate the risk of a website being hacked via DNS spoofing. This allows a user to determine whether the server is real and belongs to the website’s original owner.

◉ Only trust URLs that begin with “HTTPS,” which signifies that a website is legitimate. Consider the risk of a DNS Spoofing Attack if the indicator of “HTTPS” looks to be in flux.

◉ The security strategy or proactive approach to preventing a DNS attack is active monitoring. It’s important to keep an eye on DNS data and be proactive about noticing unusual patterns of behavior, such as the appearance of a new external host that could be an attacker.

Spoofing is the most popular strategy utilized by advertisers these days. It is quite simple for them to utilize because it includes a range of ways to perform it. The above are a few instances of spoofing and preventative steps that will make our organization safer.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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