CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Course - 2.2 Explain Common Threat Vectors and Attack Surfaces - PART A
Summary
TLDRThis lesson delves into the exploitation of various communication methods by cyber attackers, including phishing, malware distribution, and steganography. It highlights the risks of message-based threats through emails, SMS, and instant messaging, as well as file-based threats and the dangers of voice impersonation and removable devices spreading malware. The importance of securing unsupported systems, networks, and default credentials is underscored, along with the threat of supply chain attacks. The lesson concludes with the necessity of regular assessments and proactive measures for robust cybersecurity.
Takeaways
- 📧 Email is a common platform for phishing attacks where attackers pretend to be legitimate entities to steal sensitive information.
- 📲 SMS and instant messaging are exploited for smishing attacks, often including malicious links that can spread malware or trick users into giving out sensitive data.
- 🔗 Image files can contain hidden malicious code through steganography, which can infect systems once opened, as seen in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack.
- 📄 File-based threats involve malware embedded in documents or software, which can install malware on systems when users download or open these files.
- 🎙️ Voice calls can be used for vishing, impersonating legitimate entities to extract personal or financial information, as demonstrated by the IRS scam calls.
- 💾 Removable devices like USB drives are often used to spread malware, as in the case of the Stuxnet worm targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
- 🚫 Unsupported systems and applications are at high risk as they no longer receive security updates, which was a vulnerability exploited by the WannaCry ransomware attack.
- 🔒 Unsecure networks, including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth, are susceptible to attacks like eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle, with public Wi-Fi being a common target.
- 🛑 Open service ports can be entry points for attackers, making regular port scanning and closing unnecessary ports essential security practices.
- 🔑 Devices or software with default credentials are prime targets for attackers, as seen in the Mirai botnet attack exploiting IoT devices with default passwords.
- 🔄 Supply chain threats occur when attackers target less secure elements in a network, such as the SolarWinds attack where malware was introduced through the software supply chain.
Q & A
What are the common types of message-based threats mentioned in the script?
-The common types of message-based threats include phishing attacks through email, SMS, and instant messaging, where attackers masquerade as legitimate entities to extract sensitive information.
Can you provide an example of a ransomware attack that spread through phishing emails?
-The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack is an example that spread through phishing emails containing malicious attachments.
What is the term for hiding malicious code in image files, and how was it used in a specific ransomware attack?
-The term is 'steganography'. It was used in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack where image files contained hidden malicious code that infected systems once opened.
How can file-based threats lead to malware infection?
-File-based threats involve malware embedded in documents or software files. Users can unwittingly install malware on their systems by downloading or opening these files.
What was the method used in the NotPetya attack to exploit file-based threats?
-The NotPetya attack exploited file-based threats through a compromised software update.
What is 'vishing' and how was it used in the IRS scam calls?
-Vishing is the act of using voice calls to impersonate legitimate entities to extract personal information or financial details. It was used in various IRS scam calls where attackers impersonated the Internal Revenue Service.
Why are removable devices like USB drives considered common carriers of malware?
-Removable devices like USB drives are common carriers of malware because they can be easily infected and used to spread malware to other systems, as seen in the Stuxnet worm that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
What security risks are posed by using unsupported systems and applications?
-Using unsupported systems and applications poses significant security risks because they no longer receive security updates, making them vulnerable to exploitation, as heavily exploited in the WannaCry ransomware attack.
What types of networks are susceptible to eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks?
-Unsecure networks, including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth networks, are susceptible to various attacks like eavesdropping or man-in-the-middle attacks.
Why are public Wi-Fi networks particularly common targets for cyber attackers?
-Public Wi-Fi networks are common targets for cyber attackers because they often have weak security measures, making it easier for attackers to intercept data or perform man-in-the-middle attacks.
What is the significance of open service ports in terms of cyber security?
-Open service ports can act as entry points for attackers, allowing unauthorized access or data breaches. Regular port scanning and closing unnecessary ports are essential security practices.
What was the Miri botnet attack, and how did it exploit default credentials?
-The Miri botnet attack exploited IoT devices that were using default usernames and passwords, making them easy targets for attackers to gain control and create a botnet.
What is a supply chain threat, and can you provide an example of such an attack?
-A supply chain threat arises when attackers target less secure elements in a supply network. The SolarWinds attack is a prime example where malware was introduced into the software supply chain, affecting thousands of its users.
Why are regular assessments and proactive security measures important for an organization's cybersecurity posture?
-Regular assessments and proactive security measures are key to identifying and mitigating common threat vectors and attack surfaces, thereby strengthening an organization's cybersecurity posture and safeguarding against threats.
Outlines
📧 Cyber Threats via Communication Platforms
This paragraph discusses the exploitation of various communication methods such as email, SMS, and instant messaging by cyber attackers. It highlights phishing attacks where attackers impersonate legitimate entities to extract sensitive information. The paragraph also mentions the use of image files with hidden malicious code, known as steganography, as seen in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack. Additionally, it covers file-based threats where malware is embedded in documents or software files, leading to inadvertent malware installation upon download or opening. The paragraph concludes with the mention of voice calls being used for vishing attacks, where personal or financial information is extracted by impersonation.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Cyber attackers
💡Phishing
💡Malware
💡Steganography
💡File-based threats
💡Vishing
💡Removable devices
💡Unsupported systems
💡Unsecure networks
💡Open service ports
💡Default credentials
💡Supply chain threats
Highlights
Different communication methods and technologies can be exploited by cyber attackers.
Message-based threats are common, including email, SMS, and instant messaging.
Fishing attacks exploit these platforms by masquerading as legitimate entities to extract sensitive information.
The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack spread through phishing emails with malicious attachments.
SMS and instant messaging can be used for smishing attacks containing malicious links.
Instant messaging apps can spread malware or trick users into divulging sensitive information.
Image files can contain hidden malicious code through steganography, infecting systems when opened.
File-based threats involve malware embedded in documents or software files.
The NotPetya attack exploited compromised software updates for malware distribution.
Voice calls can be used for vishing, impersonating legitimate entities to extract personal information.
Removable devices like USB drives are common carriers of malware.
Unsupported systems and applications pose significant security risks due to lack of security updates.
Unsecure networks, including wireless, wired, and Bluetooth, are susceptible to various attacks.
Public Wi-Fi networks are common targets for cyber attackers.
Open service ports can act as entry points for attackers, leading to unauthorized access or data breaches.
Devices or software with default credentials are easy targets for attackers.
Supply chain threats arise when attackers target less secure elements in a network.
The SolarWinds attack is an example of malware introduced into the software supply chain.
Understanding and mitigating common threat vectors and attack surfaces are critical for strengthening cybersecurity posture.
Regular assessments and proactive security measures are key to safeguarding against these threats.
Transcripts
in this lesson we'll explore how
different communication methods and
Technologies can be exploited by cyber
attackers and the measures to mitigate
these risks message-based threats are
common and include methods like email
SMS and instant messaging these
platforms are often exploited for
fishing attacks where attackers
masquerade as legitimate entities to
extract sensitive information emails are
frequently used for fishing and malware
distribution the 2017 wan to cry
ransomware attack for instance spread
through fishing emails containing
malicious attachments SMS and instant
messaging can be used for smashing
attacks where text messages contain
malicious links instant messaging apps
can also spread malware or be used to
trick users into divulging sensitive
information image files can contain
hidden malicious code a method known as
steganography once opened they can
infect a system this technique was used
in the 2017 Bad Rabbit ransomware attack
file-based threats involve malware
embedded in documents or software files
users downloading or opening these files
can unwittingly install malware on their
systems the not Pia attack exploited
this method through a compromised
software update voice calls can be used
for vising where attackers impersonate
legitimate entities to extract personal
information or financial details this
method was used in various IRS scam
calls removable devices like USB drives
are common carriers of malware the
infamous stuck net worm targeting
Iranian nuclear facilities was initially
spread through an infected USB drive
using unsupported systems and
applications poses significant security
risks as they no longer receive security
updates the W to cry ransomware attack
heavily exploited vulnerabilities in
unsupported Windows systems unsecure
networks including Wireless wired and
Bluetooth networks are susceptible to
various attacks like eavesdropping or
man-in-the-middle attacks public Wi-Fi
networks in particular are are common
targets open service ports can act as
entry points for attackers ports left
open can be discovered and exploited for
unauthorized access or data breaches
regular Port scanning and closing
unnecessary ports are essential security
practices devices or software with
default credentials are easy targets for
attackers the Miri botnet attack
exploited iot devices that were using
default usernames and passwords supply
chain threats arise when attackers
Target less secure elements in a supply
network the solar winds attack is a
prime example where malware was
introduced into the software supply
chain affecting thousands of its users
in conclusion understanding and
mitigating these common threat vectors
and attack surfaces are critical in
strengthening an organization's cyber
security posture regular assessments and
proactive security measures are key to
safeguarding against these threats
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