Advanced persistent threats (APTs) have gained more popularity among cybercriminals as these attacks follow a sophisticated approach. APTs are generally prolonged and targeted cyber-attacks that stay undetected for longer periods. The attacks are primarily used to gain access to the internal networks of targeted systems and stay hidden until necessary.
To stay undetected yet achieve the goal, cyber criminals use various attack techniques. Developing insights into these attack techniques is crucial to prevent the attacks and their success. In case, you lack insights into cybersecurity measures, you must onboard professionals and not neglect it.
Scroll down into this article to get your hands on typical advanced persistent threat techniques you must know about and take the necessary measures to boost the security of your setup.
Top 5 Techniques Used In Advanced Persistent Threats
Advanced persistent threat attacks require the cybercriminals to rely on some other technique to gain access to the networks. These attacks are silent and hidden and often remain so even after achieving their intended goals. So, they cannot rely on overly noticeable attacks to get access to the internal networks. Learning the details of techniques will enable you to be more vigilant towards them and protect your network.
Here are some of the most common techniques cybercriminals use for advanced persistent threats and compromise overall security.
1. Spear Phishing
Spear phishing is the foremost technique cybercriminals use to make advanced persistent threats successful. The attackers utilize targeted email attacks to trick specific individuals into clicking on the malicious links or downloading the infected attachments. They utilize quite sophisticated emails which require significant effort to notice something fishy.
Spear phishing offers access to confidential data which can be utilized to launch APT and keep it undercover until the required time. However, it does not mean identifying and evading spear phishing attacks is impossible. Organizations often hire reliable managed security services to protect the setup against advanced persistent threats and spear phishing attacks.
2. Credential Theft
Credential theft is one of the most common techniques APT attackers use to achieve their goals. They rely on key-logging, credential phishing, and password-cracking methods to gain access to the login credentials. Once they get the credentials right, they can use them to gain access to the linked accounts anytime.
Credential theft allows the attackers to dodge the security controls and impersonate the legitimate users, without their knowledge. It also enables them to stay undetected without raising any suspicion, until they actually want to launch a full-blown attack. In most cases, APTs are secretive and do not launch apparent attacks but steal confidential data.
3. Command-And-Control (C&C) Servers
Command and control servers are the next technique attackers use to launch advanced persistent threat attacks. In such an attack attempt, the attackers establish a communication channel between their network and a hacked system. It enables them to exercise their control over the network and system and ex-filtrate any data they desire.
Attackers can also run commands and install desired tools to operate the compromised network in their best interest. Such an attack can stay undetected for quite a long time, which enables the attackers to exploit it as much and as long as they want. Opting for managed security and letting professionals monitor the network is the best possible strategy to limit the loss caused by such an attack technique.
4. Zero-Day Exploits
Zero-day exploits are another notable attack technique employed in advanced persistent threats. Cybercriminals keep a close watch on zero-day vulnerabilities that are not patched yet, be it in software or hardware. Such vulnerabilities take a little time to be addressed after their discovery. The attackers exploit this little window and establish their unauthorized access to the targeted systems.
The silent and hidden existence of attack elements in the network enables attackers to extract and misuse confidential information. Due to this, they often cause irreparable loss to the organizations without even openly launching an attack. So, do not take any type of vulnerability lightly and invest in cybersecurity services to let professionals handle every single detail efficiently.
5. Supply Chain Attacks
Supply chain attacks are the last technique cybercriminals use to make advanced persistent threats successful. As evident through the name, such attacks target the supply chain of a specific organization and compromise its software, as well as hardware. The attackers take control of the vendor software, or hardware of a supplier and utilize this trusted third-party provider to infiltrate the supply chain of the organization.
The high trust factor makes the organizations more susceptible to these attacks and allows the attackers to fulfill their malicious goals. You can hire managed security services to keep a close watch on supply chain attacks as well as advanced persistent threats and prevent any successful attempts.
Are You Concerned About Apt And Other Attacks?
Investing in cybersecurity has become more essential than ever. It is the only way to detect and prevent APT and related attacks without potential loss. However, if you lack the expertise, make sure to onboard security professionals and keep your cybersecurity optimized at all times.
