Substantive Aspects of Cybercrime Law Flashcards
What are the three general categories of cyberattacks?
Cybercrime, cyberterrorism, and cyberwarfare.
What is cyberespionage?
State-sponsored theft of industrial and defense secrets or intellectual property.
What major international document addresses cyber warfare?
Tallinn Manual on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare.
What is a botnet?
A network of hijacked computers used to perform cyberattacks, often without the owners’ knowledge.
What was the significance of the 2007 cyberattack on Estonia?
It demonstrated the potential of cyberattacks to disrupt national infrastructure and raised concerns about cyber warfare.
What is an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)?
A sophisticated, long-term cyber intrusion aimed at espionage or sabotage, often state-sponsored.
What does a denial-of-service (DoS) attack do?
Overloads a target system with requests, making it inaccessible to legitimate users.
What is hacktivism?
Hacking with a political or social motive to raise awareness or protest.
What was the impact of the Stuxnet worm?
It targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, demonstrating how malware could be used for cyber warfare.
What are SCADA systems, and why are they vulnerable?
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems manage industrial processes but were not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind, making them vulnerable to attacks like Stuxnet.
What makes attribution of cyberattacks difficult?
Cyberattacks often use anonymization techniques, botnets, and foreign jurisdictions, making it hard to trace the true perpetrators.
What was Operation Aurora?
A series of cyberattacks in 2009 targeting major companies, including Google, suspected to be linked to Chinese state actors.
What legal challenges exist in prosecuting cybercrime?
Difficulties include cross-border jurisdiction issues, lack of international agreements, and challenges in collecting digital evidence.
What is the Budapest Convention?
An international treaty that aims to harmonize cybercrime laws and enhance international cooperation.
What are the key tools used in cyberattacks?
Malware, phishing, botnets, DDoS attacks, keyloggers, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more.
What is a web-based attack?
A web-based attack is a method used by threat actors to exploit web systems and services as threat vectors, often involving malicious URLs, scripts, or injected code to steal data or deliver malware.
What is formjacking?
Formjacking is an attack where malicious code is injected into online forms, often on e-commerce sites, to steal users’ payment and personal data.
What is a watering hole attack?
A watering hole attack is a strategy where cybercriminals compromise a commonly visited website to infect visitors with malware, targeting a specific group of users.
How do drive-by downloads work?
Drive-by downloads occur when a user visits a compromised website, triggering an automatic and often unnoticed download of malicious software.
What are browser exploits?
Browser exploits leverage vulnerabilities in web browsers or their plugins to execute malicious code, often leading to remote code execution.
What is the Cyber Kill Chain?
The Cyber Kill Chain is a framework developed by Lockheed Martin that describes the stages of a cyber attack, from reconnaissance to exploitation and control.
What is Magecart?
Magecart is a group of cybercriminals known for injecting skimming malware into e-commerce sites to steal payment card information.
What is the SLUB backdoor attack?
The SLUB backdoor is a malware campaign that exploited web-based collaboration platforms and messaging services like Slack and GitHub for command and control operations.
How are malicious URLs used in cyber attacks?
Malicious URLs trick users into clicking links that lead to phishing sites, malware downloads, or exploit execution.
What are the main mitigation strategies against web-based attacks?
Mitigation strategies include patch management, updating browsers and plugins, restricting web-based content, monitoring web emails, and implementing browser isolation techniques.
What are web application attacks?
Web application attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications to steal data, compromise services, or launch further attacks. Common methods include SQL Injection (SQLi), Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and authentication bypass.
What is SQL Injection (SQLi)?
SQL Injection is an attack where malicious SQL statements are inserted into input fields to manipulate a database, often used to extract or alter sensitive data.
What is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)?
XSS is a vulnerability where attackers inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users, potentially leading to data theft or session hijacking.
How do authentication failures contribute to web application attacks?
Weak authentication and authorization mechanisms allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or user accounts, leading to breaches.
Why are APIs a security concern in web applications?
APIs increase attack surfaces by exposing functionalities to external services. Poor API security can lead to data leaks, unauthorized access, and system compromises.
What are the most common web application attack vectors?
SQL Injection (SQLi), Local File Inclusion (LFI), Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Remote File Inclusion (RFI), and Command Injection (CMDi).
What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?
A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security solution that filters and monitors HTTP traffic between web applications and the internet to protect against threats like SQLi and XSS.
What are common mitigation strategies for web application attacks?
Use input validation, implement WAFs, enforce API security, restrict traffic access, perform vulnerability assessments, and conduct penetration testing.
What is Local File Inclusion (LFI)?
LFI is an attack where an attacker tricks a web application into including files that are stored locally, potentially exposing sensitive system files.
What is Remote File Inclusion (RFI)?
RFI is an attack where an attacker includes a remote file in a web application, which can lead to code execution or malware distribution.
What is spam in cybersecurity?
Spam is the act of sending unsolicited messages in bulk, often used as a vector to distribute malware, phishing attempts, or fraudulent schemes.
How is spam different from phishing?
Spam is the mass distribution of unsolicited emails, while phishing is a targeted attack using social engineering to steal personal information. However, phishing can use spam tactics for distribution.
What are common types of spam attacks?
Common spam attacks include malware distribution, phishing scams, sextortion emails, brand impersonation, and spam-based ransomware delivery.
How is spam used to spread malware?
Spam emails often contain malicious attachments, links to compromised sites, or embedded scripts that download malware upon interaction.
What is Chameleon Spam?
Chameleon Spam is a persistent spam campaign that uses botnets and changes email headers and templates to evade detection while delivering fraudulent content.
How was spam used during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Spam campaigns leveraged COVID-19 themes to spread malware, phishing scams, and fake news, exploiting public fear and urgency.
What is SMS spam?
SMS spam involves sending bulk text messages with fraudulent links or requests for personal information, often leading to scams or malware infections.
How do botnets contribute to spam?
Botnets are networks of infected devices that send large volumes of spam emails, often distributing malware such as Emotet, TrickBot, and LokiBot.
What are common mitigation strategies against spam?
Mitigation strategies include content filtering, multi-factor authentication, secure email gateways, disabling macro execution, and implementing SPF, DMARC, and DKIM.
How do attackers use spam for brand impersonation?
Attackers create emails mimicking trusted companies, tricking users into entering credentials or financial details on fraudulent sites.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files or locks access to their system, demanding a ransom payment to restore access.
How do ransomware attacks impact victims?
Victims suffer financial losses from ransom payments or recovery costs. In some cases, even after paying, data is lost or operations remain disrupted.
What are the most common ransomware attack vectors?
Common attack vectors include phishing emails, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) exploitation, drive-by downloads, and software vulnerabilities.
What is the role of RDP in ransomware attacks?
Attackers exploit unpatched RDP servers to gain unauthorized access, deploy ransomware, and encrypt files or disable systems remotely.
What are some well-known ransomware families?
Notable ransomware families include Ryuk, Dharma, Sodinokibi (REvil), GandCrab, LockerGoga, Jigsaw, and SamSam.
How has ransomware evolved over time?
Ransomware has shifted from mass-distributed attacks to targeted, high-value attacks on businesses, governments, and critical infrastructure.
What is ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS)?
RaaS is a model where cybercriminals sell or rent ransomware tools to affiliates, allowing them to launch attacks without technical expertise.
What industries are most affected by ransomware?
Industries such as healthcare, government, education, and manufacturing are frequent targets due to their reliance on critical data and systems.
What are effective mitigation strategies against ransomware?
Mitigation strategies include regular data backups (3-2-1 rule), patch management, endpoint protection, email filtering, and security awareness training.
Why is paying the ransom discouraged?
Paying the ransom encourages attackers, does not guarantee data recovery, and funds further cybercriminal activities.
What are physical security threats in cybersecurity?
Physical security threats include unauthorized access, device tampering, theft, loss, and physical damage to IT infrastructure, which can compromise data integrity and security.
How does IoT affect physical security?
IoT enhances physical security through smart surveillance, AI-driven threat detection, and automated response systems, but also introduces new attack vectors through insecure IoT devices.
What is an example of a physical cyberattack?
A famous case involved a ‘USB Killer’ device that fried 66 computers at a college by injecting an electric charge through USB ports, causing significant financial losses.
How are ATMs targeted in physical attacks?
ATMs are often targeted through explosive attacks, ram-raiding, card trapping, and tampering, leading to financial losses and compromised payment security.
What are some modern physical security enhancements?
Modern enhancements include AI-powered surveillance, biometric authentication, smart access control, and integrated cyber-physical security measures.
Why is physical security often neglected?
Many organizations prioritize cybersecurity, allocating only 14-17% of resources to physical security, making them vulnerable to physical breaches.
What is the impact of EMV chip cards on ATM security?
EMV chip cards have reduced card-present fraud but have not been fully implemented globally, leaving some systems vulnerable to skimming and card fraud.
How can organizations improve physical security?
Organizations should implement multi-factor authentication, use encryption, restrict access to critical areas, and integrate digital security measures with physical protection.
What is Video Surveillance-as-a-Service (VSaaS)?
VSaaS is a cloud-based security solution that enables remote monitoring and AI-driven threat analysis, improving response times and reducing false alerts.
Why is asset inventory important for physical security?
Keeping track of assets prevents unauthorized access, ensures timely security updates, and reduces the risk of data loss from stolen or misplaced devices.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a cyberattack that tricks users into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details, by impersonating legitimate entities through deceptive emails, websites, or messages.
What is spear phishing?
Spear phishing is a targeted phishing attack that involves research on the victim to craft personalized messages, making it harder to detect and increasing the likelihood of success.
What is Business Email Compromise (BEC)?
BEC is a scam where attackers impersonate company executives, suppliers, or employees to trick victims into making fraudulent financial transactions.
How has phishing evolved in recent years?
Phishing attacks have become more sophisticated, using AI-driven message crafting, cloud service impersonation, and HTTPS-enabled phishing sites to deceive users.
Why are Microsoft 365 services a major phishing target?
Attackers focus on Microsoft 365 accounts to gain access to corporate email, cloud storage, and other business-critical applications, enabling further attacks or data theft.
What role does HTTPS play in phishing attacks?
Many phishing sites now use HTTPS to appear legitimate, misleading users into trusting them despite being fraudulent.
What is Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS)?
PhaaS provides cybercriminals with ready-made phishing kits, enabling non-technical individuals to launch phishing campaigns by purchasing or subscribing to services.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact phishing trends?
Phishing attacks spiked by 667% during the pandemic, leveraging COVID-19-related themes, such as fake health advisories, government relief programs, and fraudulent work-from-home emails.
What are the top mitigation strategies against phishing?
Mitigation strategies include email filtering, user education, multi-factor authentication, DMARC, SPF, and DKIM implementation, and real-time phishing detection using AI-based security solutions.
What industries are most affected by phishing attacks?
Industries like healthcare, finance, government, and SaaS providers are frequently targeted due to their sensitive data and financial assets.
What is malware?
Malware is a type of malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. Common types include viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware, and cryptominers.
What was the most prevalent malware in 2019?
Emotet was the most prevalent malware in 2019. Initially a banking trojan, it evolved into a botnet with advanced evasion mechanisms and the ability to deliver other malware like Trickbot and Ryuk.
What are the most common attack vectors for malware?
Malware is commonly spread through phishing emails, malicious attachments, drive-by downloads, exploit kits, and brute-force attacks on vulnerable systems.
What is Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS)?
MaaS is a cybercrime model where malware developers sell or rent malicious software and infrastructure to other attackers, making it easier for them to launch cyberattacks.
How has malware evolved to target businesses?
Malware is increasingly targeting businesses through banking malware, ransomware, and botnets. Attackers focus on high-value corporate networks, seeking financial gain and sensitive data.
What is fileless malware and why is it dangerous?
Fileless malware operates without traditional executable files, making it difficult to detect. It often exploits legitimate system tools like PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
How does ransomware relate to malware threats?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files or locks their system, demanding a ransom for data recovery. It has increasingly targeted businesses and public sector organizations.
What role do botnets play in malware distribution?
Botnets, such as Emotet and Trickbot, are networks of infected devices controlled by cybercriminals to spread malware, conduct DDoS attacks, and steal sensitive data.
What are the best mitigation strategies against malware?
Effective mitigation strategies include endpoint protection, email filtering, patch management, behavioral analysis, threat intelligence, and restricting administrative privileges.
Why is SSL/TLS inspection important for malware defense?
Since 67% of malware is now delivered via encrypted HTTPS connections, SSL/TLS traffic inspection is crucial for detecting malicious activity hidden in encrypted communications.
What is an insider threat?
An insider threat refers to a cybersecurity risk caused by individuals within an organization, such as employees, contractors, or business partners, who misuse their access to compromise security.
What are the five types of insider threats?
The five types are: (1) careless workers who mishandle data, (2) inside agents who steal information for outsiders, (3) disgruntled employees who seek to harm their organization, (4) malicious insiders who exploit privileges for personal gain, and (5) feckless third-parties who compromise security through negligence.
What is the financial impact of insider threats?
The average annual cost of cybersecurity incidents caused by insider threats is estimated at €11.45 million per organization.
What are common attack methods used in insider threats?
Common attack methods include unauthorized data access, data exfiltration, misuse of privileges, collaboration with external attackers, and negligent handling of sensitive information.
How are insiders recruited for malicious activities?
Insiders can be recruited through financial incentives, social engineering, blackmail, or being deceived into unknowingly providing critical information to attackers.
What are the most vulnerable IT assets to insider threats?
Databases, file servers, endpoints, mobile devices, business applications, and cloud infrastructure are highly vulnerable to insider threats.
What are effective mitigation strategies against insider threats?
Mitigation strategies include deep packet inspection (DPI), implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP), limiting privileged access, continuous monitoring, employee training, and behavioral analytics.
How does phishing contribute to insider threats?
Phishing is a major vulnerability, with 38% of insider threats originating from employees falling victim to phishing emails that compromise credentials or expose sensitive data.
Why is user behavior monitoring important for insider threat detection?
Monitoring user behavior helps detect anomalies such as unauthorized access, unusual data transfers, or privilege escalation, allowing early intervention before a security breach occurs.
What is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in insider threat mitigation?
AI enhances insider threat detection by analyzing behavioral patterns, identifying deviations from normal activity, and providing real-time alerts on suspicious actions.
What is cryptojacking?
Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of a device’s resources to mine cryptocurrencies. Attackers exploit computing power from victims’ devices without their consent, often leading to reduced system performance and increased electricity costs.
What types of devices are targeted in cryptojacking attacks?
Cryptojacking targets various devices, including computers, mobile phones, IoT devices, cloud infrastructures, and even web servers.
What was the impact of Coinhive shutting down in 2019?
The closure of Coinhive, a widely abused cryptomining service, led to a 78% decrease in cryptojacking attacks in the second half of 2019.
How do attackers distribute cryptojacking malware?
Attackers distribute cryptojacking malware via phishing emails, malicious websites, exploit kits, advertising networks (malvertising), and infected mobile apps.
Why is Monero (XMR) the preferred cryptocurrency for cryptojacking?
Monero is favored due to its privacy-focused features, making transactions difficult to trace, and its Proof-of-Work algorithm, which allows efficient mining on regular CPUs.
How are cloud infrastructures exploited for cryptojacking?
Cybercriminals exploit cloud services by compromising API keys, abusing misconfigured cloud containers, and deploying cryptomining malware on virtualized environments.
What are the signs of a cryptojacking infection?
Indicators of cryptojacking include sluggish system performance, high CPU usage, overheating, increased electricity consumption, and unexpected spikes in cloud computing bills.
What are the common attack vectors used in cryptojacking?
Attackers use compromised websites, drive-by attacks, phishing campaigns, exploit kits, social networks, and infected mobile apps to distribute cryptomining scripts.
What are effective mitigation strategies against cryptojacking?
Mitigation strategies include endpoint protection, blocking known mining scripts, monitoring CPU usage, implementing network filtering, and keeping software updated against known exploits.
Why has file-based cryptomining increased over browser-based cryptojacking?
File-based cryptomining is more efficient and profitable than browser-based cryptojacking. Attackers now use malware to exploit system vulnerabilities for persistent mining.
What is information leakage in cybersecurity?
Information leakage refers to the unauthorized exposure of sensitive data due to security incidents, misconfigurations, or cyberattacks, often leading to financial and reputational damage.
What are the primary causes of information leakage?
Information leakage is commonly caused by malicious attacks (51%), system glitches (25%), and human error (24%).
What was the biggest data breach in 2019?
The ‘Collection #1’ breach exposed 773 million email addresses and passwords, discovered in cloud storage and later shared on the ‘Have I Been Pwned’ platform.
How do attackers exploit misconfigurations for data breaches?
Hackers exploit misconfigured cloud storage, databases, or web applications to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
What industries are most affected by data breaches?
The financial sector, healthcare, government, and cloud service providers are the most commonly targeted industries.
What is the average financial impact of a data breach in healthcare?
The healthcare sector incurs the highest cost of data breaches, with an average loss of €5.46 million per incident.
What are the most common attack vectors for information leakage?
Attackers use phishing, malware, social engineering, insider threats, and vulnerabilities in IT systems to access and exfiltrate data.
What are the best mitigation strategies for preventing information leakage?
Organizations should implement data encryption, enforce access control, use Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools, and comply with regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
How does human error contribute to data breaches?
Human error, such as misconfigured settings, weak passwords, and accidental sharing of sensitive data, is responsible for nearly 24% of breaches.
What role does GDPR play in preventing information leakage?
GDPR enforces strict data protection regulations, requiring organizations to implement security measures, notify breaches, and ensure proper handling of personal data.
What is identity theft?
Identity theft occurs when an attacker illicitly uses a victim’s personally identifiable information (PII) to impersonate them and gain financial benefits or commit fraud.
What are common types of identity theft?
Common types include financial identity theft (using stolen credentials for financial gain), medical identity theft, tax fraud, and criminal identity theft (using stolen identities for illegal activities).
What was one of the largest identity theft incidents in 2019?
The Capital One breach exposed nearly 106 million customers’ personal and banking data in March 2019.
How does SIM-swapping contribute to identity theft?
SIM-swapping allows attackers to hijack a victim’s phone number, intercept SMS-based 2FA codes, and gain access to sensitive accounts.
What is Business Email Compromise (BEC) in identity theft?
BEC attacks trick employees into making financial transactions or revealing sensitive data by impersonating trusted executives or partners.
What role do dark web marketplaces play in identity theft?
Stolen personal data, including login credentials and financial information, is sold on the dark web, enabling further fraudulent activities.
What is formjacking, and how does it relate to identity theft?
Formjacking involves injecting malicious scripts into legitimate websites to steal users’ payment and personal data at checkout forms.
What are key mitigation strategies against identity theft?
Mitigation strategies include multi-factor authentication, regular monitoring of financial statements, encryption of sensitive data, and cautious online behavior.
What was the impact of the Equifax breach settlement?
Equifax agreed to pay at least $575 million to settle its 2017 data breach, which leaked 148 million individuals’ Social Security Numbers and other personal data.
What industries are most affected by identity theft?
Financial services, healthcare, e-commerce, and government sectors are prime targets due to the high value of personal and financial data.
What is a DDoS attack?
A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack overwhelms a network, service, or website with excessive traffic, making it unavailable to legitimate users.
What are the main types of DDoS attacks?
The main types include SYN Flood, UDP Flood, HTTP Flood, DNS Amplification, and Multi-Vector attacks, each targeting different layers of the network stack.
How did DDoS attack trends change in 2019?
DDoS attacks increased by 241% in Q3 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, with 79.7% of attacks being SYN Floods.
What is carpet bombing in DDoS attacks?
Carpet bombing targets multiple IP addresses within a network, making it harder for defenders to isolate and mitigate the attack.
What role do botnets play in DDoS attacks?
Botnets, often made up of IoT devices, generate high-volume DDoS traffic. In 2019, China, Brazil, and Iran were the top sources of botnet-controlled devices.
What is a multi-vector DDoS attack?
A multi-vector attack uses multiple techniques (e.g., UDP amplification + HTTP Flood) simultaneously to maximize disruption and bypass mitigation strategies.
How can organizations mitigate DDoS attacks?
Mitigation strategies include traffic filtering, rate limiting, using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), deploying DDoS protection services, and network segmentation.
What is WS-Discovery abuse in DDoS attacks?
WS-Discovery is a protocol used in IoT devices. Attackers exploit it for amplification attacks, increasing attack strength by up to 15,000%.
What is the impact of SYN Flood attacks?
SYN Floods, responsible for 79.7% of attacks in 2019, send excessive SYN requests to a server, exhausting its resources and making it unresponsive.
Why are DDoS services advertised on social media?
Malicious actors now promote DDoS-for-hire services on platforms like YouTube and Reddit, making attacks more accessible to non-technical users.
What is a data breach?
A data breach is a cybersecurity incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive data, often leading to financial or reputational damage.
What are the primary causes of data breaches?
Data breaches are caused by hacking (52%), phishing (32%), malware (28%), insider threats, and system misconfigurations.
What was the largest data breach in 2019?
The ‘Collection #1’ breach leaked 773 million email addresses and passwords, making it one of the largest reported data breaches.
How long does it take to detect a data breach?
On average, it takes organizations 206 days to detect a data breach, allowing attackers prolonged access to sensitive systems.
What is the financial impact of a data breach?
The cost of a data breach extends beyond immediate damages, with expenses lasting over two years, particularly in regulated industries like finance and healthcare.
What types of data are most frequently exposed?
In 2019, 70% of breaches exposed emails, 64% exposed passwords, and 23% exposed personally identifiable information (PII).
What industries are most affected by data breaches?
The most targeted industries include finance, healthcare, retail, and cloud services due to the high value of stored personal and financial data.
What are effective mitigation strategies for data breaches?
Mitigation strategies include strong encryption, multi-factor authentication, employee training, incident response plans, and data loss prevention tools.
How does the dark web facilitate data breaches?
Stolen credentials and personal information are often sold on dark web marketplaces, enabling further fraud, identity theft, and cyberattacks.
Why are cloud environments a target for data breaches?
Misconfigured cloud storage and weak access controls expose sensitive data, making cloud security a critical concern for modern enterprises.
What is cyber espionage?
Cyber espionage is the use of computer networks to gain illicit access to confidential information, typically by nation-states or organizations targeting governments, critical infrastructure, and industries.
What are common targets of cyber espionage?
Targets include government ministries, energy companies, telecommunication providers, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure sectors.
What role do APT groups play in cyber espionage?
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups, often state-sponsored, conduct cyber espionage by using sophisticated techniques to infiltrate networks and exfiltrate sensitive data over extended periods.
How do cyber espionage attacks exploit supply chains?
Threat actors increasingly target third- and fourth-party suppliers with weak cybersecurity, exploiting these networks to access primary targets.
What is an example of a cyber espionage incident?
In 2019, Airbus was targeted by state-sponsored hackers who stole personal and IT identification data from employees.
What are effective mitigation strategies against cyber espionage?
Organizations should enforce access controls, regularly patch software, implement network monitoring, and train employees on cybersecurity awareness.
What is the role of phishing in cyber espionage?
Phishing accounts for 63% of cyber espionage incidents, often tricking employees into revealing credentials that allow attackers to infiltrate networks.
How does cyber espionage influence geopolitics?
Cyber espionage is used to steal trade secrets, disrupt elections, conduct economic warfare, and influence global political affairs.
How can companies protect trade secrets from cyber espionage?
Organizations should classify sensitive information, use data encryption, apply the principle of least privilege, and monitor network traffic for anomalies.
What are the key indicators of a cyber espionage attack?
Unusual data exfiltration, persistent network intrusions, unauthorized access to classified systems, and use of sophisticated malware are common indicators.
What is a botnet?
A botnet is a network of compromised devices, remotely controlled by a malicious actor, used for cyberattacks such as DDoS, spam campaigns, and credential theft.
How do botnets operate?
Botnets can function using a centralized Command and Control (C2) server or in a decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) model for greater resilience against takedown efforts.
What was the most active botnet in 2019?
Emotet was one of the most active botnets in 2019, with a 913% increase in detected samples compared to the previous year.
What attack techniques are commonly used by botnets?
Botnets use brute-force attacks, web exploitation, credential stuffing, and malware infections to expand their reach and compromise more systems.
What is the impact of IoT on botnet operations?
With 7.7 million IoT devices connecting daily, botnets exploit insecure IoT devices, using them to launch large-scale cyberattacks.
What are common use cases for botnets?
Botnets are used for DDoS attacks, cryptojacking, banking fraud, spamming, and deploying ransomware to infected systems.
What is the relationship between botnets and malware?
Botnets distribute malware such as Emotet, TrickBot, and LokiBot, which steal credentials, conduct fraud, and deploy ransomware like Ryuk.
How can organizations defend against botnet infections?
Defensive measures include firewalls, traffic monitoring, endpoint security, regular patching, strong authentication, and restricting IoT device access.
What was a major botnet takedown in 2019?
The Retadup botnet, which infected 850,000 computers for cryptomining and malware distribution, was dismantled by French authorities.
What is the significance of botnet command-and-control (C2) servers?
C2 servers allow attackers to remotely issue commands to botnets, coordinating attacks while evading detection and takedown efforts.
