Here are the seven best pentesting service providers:

• BreachLock: Best comprehensive suite of pentesting services
• ScienceSoft: Best for custom penetration testing
• SecureWorks: Best for experienced pentesting and security consulting
• Raxis: Best for web application security pentesting
• Software Secured: Best for application and code security testing
• Astra Security: Best for small and mid-sized businesses
• Intruder: Best for web and cloud pentesting

Pentesting Service Providers Comparison

The table below provides a brief overview of penetration testing service providers, including their pricing options and standout features.

BreachLock – Best Comprehensive Suite of Pentesting Tools & Services

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BreachLock combines automation, AI, certified ethical hackers and a cloud-based pentesting and vulnerability management platform to prepare customers for audits. BreachLock offers penetration testing as a service (PTaaS), covering cloud, network, application, API, mobile, social engineering and third-party partner tests. It can help your business comply with SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 regulatory requirements.

Visit BreachLock

Pros

• Comprehensive coverage across on-premises, mobile and cloud
• Hybrid approach potentially offers cost savings
• Scalability
• AI-powered automation
• Ease of use
• Comprehensive platform with a 360-degree view of vulnerabilities

Cons

• More hands-on approaches and dedicated pentesters will cost more
• No pricing transparency

Pricing

• Contact for quote: Custom pricing available
• Free live demo: Contact to schedule

Key Features

• Social engineering testing: BreachLock’s experts can launch a spear phishing campaign to test your employees’ cyber readiness.
• Automated and manual scans: You have the choice to scan your environments both automatically and manually, depending on which works better for a given scenario.
• One-click retest vulnerabilities: Once the customer has remediated all discovered issues, BreachLock retests to confirm that they’ve been fixed.
• Service dashboard: Customers receive a high-level view of their pentesting results, including vulnerabilities grouped by risk and an overall trend chart.

ScienceSoft – Best for Custom Penetration Testing

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ScienceSoft offers a range of pentesting services, covering applications, networks, remote access, wireless, open source intelligence (OSINT), social engineering, and red teaming. Like BreachLock, ScienceSoft offers a mix of manual and automated testing. It examines employees’ security posture and awareness, identifying behavior from individual contributors, executives, and contractors that compromises your business.

Visit ScienceSoft

Pros

• Software development expertise adds insight for application security testing
• Pricing appears to be on the lower end of industry averages

Cons

• Others might offer more comprehensive pentesting services, but ScienceSoft customers are generally positive about the service they received and the value

Pricing

• Custom pricing available: Contact for quote; pricing calculator tool available to estimate costs

Key Features

• Code review: ScienceSoft checks for code injection vulnerabilities, cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and buffer overflows.
• Vulnerability assessments: Experts and automated scanners analyze networks, web applications, email services, and mobile apps for vulnerabilities.
• Compliance assessments: Aside from pentesting, ScienceSoft also assesses your business’s regulatory stance for standards like HIPAA.
• Infrastructure audit: Another testing service includes checking physical access controls, existing configuration management procedures, and IT version control.

SecureWorks – Best for Extensive Experience in Pentesting & Security Consulting

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SecureWorks is a top managed security services provider (MSSP) with expertise that naturally extends to other security services, such as penetration testing, threat hunting and incident response. SecureWorks’ pentesting services are aimed at sophisticated enterprise security concerns such as mimicking adversaries, exposing the kill chain, ransomware attack simulations, physical security, and insider threats.

Visit SecureWorks

Pros

• Comprehensive coverage
• High-quality services and expertise
• Strong reputation

Cons

• More expensive than some competitors, but there’s value in that extra expense

Pricing

• Contact for quote: Custom pricing available

Key Features

• Supported devices: SecureWorks tests Internet of Things devices, medical devices and robots, firmware, and operational technology (OT).
• Vehicle system testing: Your business can find vulnerabilities in automotive environments, autonomous vessels like cargo ships, and aircraft.
• Remote work assessment: SecureWorks examines your remote access systems for vulnerabilities.
• Insider threat assessment: Pentesters receive insider information like credentials and see how far they can compromise your systems.

Raxis – Best for Web Application Security Testing

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Raxis is a cybersecurity company that offers a wide range of services, such as penetration testing, security consultancy, and managed security. Raxis offers a number of pentesting and vulnerability services, including red team services, pentesting as a service (PTaaS), breach and attack simulation, social engineering, and more. Services are available on a one-time, multi-year, or continuous basis.

Visit Raxis

Pros

• Comprehensive offerings
• High-quality services
• Strong reputation

Cons

• Perhaps more expensive than the lowest-cost options, but users seem content with what they get.

Pricing

• Contact for quote: Custom pricing available

Key Features

• Time Travel: Raxis allows you to view your security posture at a specific time period in your business’s history so you can visualize security improvement.
• Retesting: After you implement Raxis’s findings, a retest will determine whether the implementation was successful.
• Automatic or manual scheduling: Your business can request an on-demand pentest or have scans performed consistently over time.
• API penetration testing: Available only on-demand, this service scans API calls to find anomalies.

Software Secured – Best for Application & Code Security Testing

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Software Secured offers a range of penetration testing services, including manual pentests, one-time comprehensive compliance assessments, PTaaS, and even secure code training for developers and engineers. The company’s emphasis on human pentesters means they’re not the cheapest company on this list, but they promise above-average results and testing frequency, and customers seem pleased with their services.

Visit Software Secured

Pros

• Deep understanding of software security
• Ability to integrate with SDLC processes
• Strong reputation

Cons

• Not the cheapest company on this list, but they claim 4X better results than competitors

Pricing

• Pentest Essentials: Starts from $5,000
• Pentest 360: Starts from $10,000

Key Features

• Unlimited retesting: Customers who pay for the service receive quarterly or biannual pentesting and can retest whenever they want.
• Augmented security services: Software Secured offers additional services, including private training sessions for developer groups based on OWASP best practices.
• Framework mapping: Software Secured maps to five major industry frameworks, including OWASP Top 10, SANS Top 25, and NIST.
• Dashboard: Your customer portal shows you alerts for new vulnerabilities, their severity rating and type, and any overdue vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.

Astra Security – Best for Small & Mid-Sized Businesses

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Astra Security tests web apps, mobile apps, APIs, and public cloud environments like AWS and Microsoft Azure. It offers a vulnerability scanner solution, which offers integrations with tools like Slack and Jira, and a pentesting solution with annual tests, compliance reports, and cloud security reviews. Astra’s prices fall below multiple competitors, and it also has the most transparent pricing on this list.

Visit Astra Security

Pros

• Astra Pentest and Enterprise plans essentially throw in free unlimited scanning with the cost of an entry-level pentest
• Customers are generally satisfied with the service and value

Cons

• Might not be enough for companies with high security needs, but will be better than many customers could otherwise afford

Pricing

• Scanner (for web apps): $1,999 per year with one target
• Pentest (for web apps): $5,999 per year with one target
• Enterprise (for web apps): Starts at $9,999 per year; ideal for infrastructures with diverse targets
• Pentest (for mobile apps): $2,499 per year for one target
• Enterprise (for mobile app): $3,999 per year for one target
• AWS cloud security Basic and Elite: Contact for quote

Key Features

• Vulnerability scanner: Astra’s scanner dashboard shows you the status of each vulnerability, its CVSS rating, and its severity.
• Compliance checks: Astra tests help your business comply with ISO 27001, HIPAA, SOC2, and GDPR standards.
• App scans: Scanning progressive web apps (PWA) and Single Page Apps (SPAs) helps secure more flexible web server environments.
• Over 8,000 tests: Astra scans your infrastructure for known CVEs and OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. 

Intruder – Best for Web & Cloud Pentesting

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Intruder is best known for its quality vulnerability scanning tools, but the company offers pentesting services, too. Intruder’s pentests cover web apps, APIs, and cloud configurations. Your business has the option to perform continuous pentesting using Intruder Vanguard, a vulnerability management solution led by Intruder experts. While Intruder doesn’t have a mobile pentesting solution, it’s a good choice for teams focusing on thorough vulnerability scans.

Visit Intruder

Pros

• Combines pentesting expertise with top-notch vulnerability scanning product knowledge
• Perhaps best for external, web app and cloud pen testing

Cons

• Lacks transparent pricing; there may be cheaper competitors

Pricing

• Contact for quote: Custom pricing available
• Free trial: 14 days

Key Features

• API scanner: Intruder follows OWASP guidelines while testing your APIs for injection attack vulnerabilities and insufficient controls.
• Cloud configuration checks: Pentesters search for misconfigurations in your cloud environments and suggest improvements.
• Perimeter checks: Intruder examines your external IT infrastructure for potential internet exposure.
• Intruder Vanguard: This vulnerability management service provides ongoing testing over time. 

Learn more about the differences between vulnerability scanning and pentesting in our guide to the two solutions.

Key Features of Penetration Testing Services

Penetration testing services assess IT infrastructures for vulnerabilities, follow legitimate attack methods, report on their findings, support multiple environments, and perform post-exploit tests.

Vulnerability Assessments

Penetration testing services check systems for possible flaws. They look for obsolete software, misconfigurations, and other vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. Often, pentesting service providers also offer vulnerability scanning solutions.

Real-World Simulations

Pentesters replicate real-world cyber attacks and adversaries in order to determine how effectively a system can survive different hacking efforts. This helps businesses better understand their current security posture.

Reporting

Following a completed test, service providers create extensive reports. These reports include the vulnerabilities discovered, the techniques used to exploit them, and security suggestions. For organizations to recognize risks and take proper action, clear and comprehensive reporting is critical.

Support for a Wide Range of Systems

Businesses use penetration testing to evaluate online applications, networks, mobile apps and devices, cloud-based services, and other environments. Extensive platform support is critical for modern organizations operating across numerous platforms.

Post-Exploitation Testing

Some sophisticated technologies enable testers to estimate the level of harm that could be done once a hacker has access. This helps organizations comprehend the potential consequences of a security breach. Pentesting services can (and should) also test the effectiveness of any patches and mitigations applied as a result of the test.

How We Evaluated Pentesting Service Providers

For this list, we analyzed a number of penetration testing service providers and included a range of choices to cover a wide variety of use cases, from small businesses, startups, and dev teams up to complex enterprises with high security needs. We examined services offered, expertise, specializations, pricing, value, and customer feedback.

We also considered some vendors where human pentests aren’t central and are thus more like automated pentesting tools — Hexway and ImmuniWeb are two good examples. Those are good PTaaS options, but here we’ve kept the focus on human pentesting services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Is a Penetration Test?

A penetration test mimics cyber attacks on your systems in order to find flaws. It is critically important to check your IT systems and assets on a regular basis in order to safeguard your company from any intrusions, and using an intruder’s perspective helps find shielded backdoors and vulnerabilities.

Who Are Penetration Testers?

Penetration testers are security experts and ethical hackers who know their way around IT systems and have experience finding vulnerabilities. Reputable testers adhere to stringent ethical standards. Throughout the testing process, they utilize non-destructive procedures to assure your data and system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. They remove any back doors and other process vulnerabilities when finished.

Why Do You Need Outside Pentesting?

External penetration testing is important because it reduces the risk of unnoticed blind spots. As hard as your security and IT teams try to protect your infrastructure, they might miss something. A second pair of eyes is always useful for locating particularly sneaky vulnerabilities.

Bottom Line: Penetration Testing Services Boost Cybersecurity

Penetration testing is a critically important cybersecurity practice for securing your IT environment. For organizations that lack the expertise to do their own pentesting, penetration testing services offer a great opportunity. Getting a real-world test of your cybersecurity defenses helps reduce data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage, while also helping you comply with regulations. A penetration test may not be cheap, but it’s worthwhile.

Read more about setting up a pentesting program in your organization, including budgeting and developing a team.

Jenna Phipps contributed to this article.

The post 7 Best Penetration Testing Service Providers in 2024 Compared appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

How Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) Works

FWaaS serves as a filter between your network and the internet, identifying and blocking potential threats. This real-time filtration process ensures that only authorized and safe data reaches your network and helps protect your systems from malicious or suspicious activities.

Traditional firewalls are deployed as on-premises appliances or software, but that won’t do much to protect remote offices or mobile workers accessing cloud resources. But by moving firewall protections to the cloud through FWaaS and delivering them as a service, an organization can apply security policies and protections uniformly to assets regardless of where they reside. FWaaS typically uses agents on endpoint devices to deploy the firewall.

A firewall-as-a-service model has the following characteristics:

• Vendor management: The firewall vendor takes care of the back-end technology and intricacies of firewall management.
• Cloud-based structure: Cloud firewalls allow geographically scattered teams to benefit from network protection without needing a lot of on-premises hardware.
• Lower maintenance costs: Teams don’t have to buy as much hardware, and they also don’t have to hire personnel if they can’t afford to yet.
• Uniform policy enforcement: Protecting a business’ network assets in one cloud solution helps reduce firewalls’ typical rule and policy sprawl.

Before deploying agents on your organization’s devices, you’ll need to make sure your network can fully support FWaaS. Additionally, consider the relative importance of a FWaaS deployment for your specific organization, as well as its benefits and disadvantages. FWaaS is slightly different from other firewall deployments, like next-generation firewalls, and your business has multiple vendors to choose from and service costs to consider when buying a FWaaS solution.

Why Do Businesses Need FWaaS?

The cloud, remote workforces, Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile devices blur network boundaries and reduce the effectiveness of traditional perimeter security. Technologies like FWaaS, SD-WAN, and secure access service edge (SASE) have evolved to protect these expanding virtual networks. Both FWaaS and SD-WAN are part of broader SASE solutions, which also include cloud access security brokers (CASBs) and zero-trust network access (ZTNA).

To combat these constantly changing threats and growing attack surfaces, FWaaS adjusts its defenses to new attack vectors and threats by utilizing real-time data analysis and machine learning. It’s a seemingly simple change in traditional security models that increases network protection.

FWaaS also helps organizations by offering an easier way to scale security protections and keep up with firewall technical advancements, updates, and maintenance. A single vendor takes care of those maintenance tasks, like patching and audits, and smaller teams have reduced workloads and streamlined network security processes.

FWaaS Network Requirements

While firewalls as a service are simpler to implement and manage than traditional firewalls, your business still needs to meet a few requirements for an FWaaS deployment to succeed. If your IT team is considering FWaaS, use the following items as a checklist. You need to ensure that your existing network can support a cloud-based service, integrate with the FWaaS, be regularly maintained, and have reliable and logical firewall policies.

Networks Must Support Cloud-Based Services

Before your team jumps on the FWaaS bandwagon, ensure your networks can support it. If upper leadership approaches your IT or networking teams requesting a cloud-based firewall, ask them for time to research options and warn them that not all networks can successfully support FWaaS. Todd Thanhauser, president and CEO of Upper Echelon Technology, talked about the importance of this process before the deployment process ever begins.

“It’s essential to assess your organization’s Internet infrastructure, consider the bandwidth requirements, and ensure that your network connectivity can support the demands of a cloud-based firewall service,” he said. “Additionally, having a backup or redundant Internet connection can provide resilience and ensure continuous protection even in the event of a primary connection failure.”

Network requirements for an FWaaS deployment aren’t just about cybersecurity controls — your infrastructure has to be able to support a firewall in the event of natural problems, too. The ability to back up your firewall helps protect it from natural disasters and outages, as well as calculated attacks.

Existing Network Components Should Integrate with FWaaS

If your team is transitioning from a hardware-based firewall and planning to keep any existing systems, you’ll need to ensure that network components integrate well with the new FWaaS deployment.

Stefan Keller, the chief product officer at Open Systems, spoke about the importance of simple integration technologies for firewall services and old network systems. “This allows seamless activation of FWaaS without touching any on-site endpoint,” he said. “A gateway at the perimeter can be that integration point and forward all the traffic to the cloud.”

Keller also highlighted the difficulty of deploying FWaaS at branch offices. “A branch may have multiple VLANs or other network segments with east-west traffic.” According to Keller, this traffic isn’t ideal in the cloud, potentially for latency or regulatory compliance reasons.

“Relying on FWaaS for branches where you still have a lot of on-prem systems, applications, and IoT, is not the most effective approach,” he said. According to Keller, teams may be more successful if they deploy FWaaS and an on-premises firewall in a hybrid environment.

Your Team Must Continuously Maintain Networks

Don’t forget network maintenance after your firewall service has been deployed. Although “set it and forget it” is a popular term in the as-a-service world, it’s not the best idea in practice, especially for IT infrastructure.

You’ll need to regularly adjust firewall configurations, ensuring that the firewall can protect your business from new cyber threats, according to Anurag Gurtu, chief product officer at StrikeReady. “This involves updating security protocols, reviewing firewall rules, and monitoring system performance,” Gurtu said.

Firewall configurations shouldn’t just suit your business’ needs, either — they should also meet industry standards, something you’ll have to rigorously ensure on a consistent schedule. “Routine audits and compliance checks also play a significant role in maintaining the effectiveness of FWaaS over time,” Gurtu said.

Firewalls that protect healthcare or financial systems and data, for example, need to comply with any relevant data protection standards. If they don’t, your business could be fined.

You Need Clearly Developed & Consolidated Firewall Policies

Evin Safdia, the director of product marketing at Cato Networks, emphasized the importance of developing a consistent set of policies that are applied globally. “Most organizations that adopt FWaaS see a significant reduction in total policy rules, resulting in easier ongoing management and a consistent experience for end users,” he said.

But according to Safdia, moving and adjusting your business’ old firewall policies within a new FWaas architecture can feel overwhelming. He recommends taking a broad, organization-wide approach to firewall policies, outlining rules and exceptions from a high level.

“Once you’ve built this, compare it against your existing policies to ensure no gaps, and you will be ready to build these policies in any FWaaS platform. Put simply, don’t necessarily try to recreate the legacy policies from your new FWaaS provider — create what best fits your organization at present,” he said.

Don’t skimp on this part of the process. Before any firewall services are deployed in your existing infrastructure, your IT or network admins should list all firewall policies and create any necessary blocklists and allowlists. If you know exactly what policies you need, you’ll set your team up to better combine old and new policies from the vendor. Feel the freedom to drop old policies if they’re no longer what your business needs.

8 Benefits of FWaaS

The primary advantage of FWaaS is that it makes the term “outside the firewall” obsolete by adding firewall protections to everything that could be considered part of a broader virtual enterprise network. More specifically, the key benefits of firewall services include cloud security and growth, remote management, network architecture improvements, and clearer policy enforcement, visibility, and reliability.

Security at Cloud Speed

FWaaS offers robust security in remote environments without slowing things down. With FWaaS, your data and applications stay protected without affecting performance because your security is decentralized from your organization’s premises. FWaaS integrates with your cloud system and virtual networks, ensuring that security doesn’t hinder operations and makes growth and changes more secure. 

If you choose to integrate FWaaS with your existing cloud applications, make sure your business is following cloud security best practices, including training employees and securing endpoint devices.

Flexible Cloud-Based Scaling

As your organization grows, security needs to keep up. FWaaS removes concerns about inadequate protection during expansion. Whether you’re entering new markets, launching products, opening new data centers or offices, or seeing a surge in users, FWaaS is designed to scale. This flexibility provides security even during rapid growth.

Global Security Management

Maintaining consistent security across locations is challenging. FWaaS empowers you with centralized control of large virtual environments. Regardless of your operational reach, you can manage and enforce security policies from one place. This global reach and control ensure effective security measures wherever your data goes.

Support for Modern Network Architecture

FWaaS integrates with modern networks, supporting recent tech and protocols. Whether your business is transitioning to microservices or exploring edge computing, well-designed, modern FWaaS adapts, ensuring robust and future-proof security.

Simplified Network Architecture

FWaaS simplifies network architecture and security, removing confusing and disparate setups that invite vulnerabilities. Because one vendor is responsible for everything, technology better integrates, and vendor-managed architecture lightens the burdens on the customer’s networking and security teams.

Streamlined Policy Enforcement

FWaaS automates policy enforcement across distributed networks. By ensuring consistent, efficient security, FWaaS lowers risks, improves agility, and increases compliance with government regulations and industry rules. And eliminating the need for local security solutions can save money, too.

Increased Network Visibility

FWaaS improves network visibility with a broader view of traffic patterns, potential threats, and anomalies. Better visibility means you can detect and respond to suspicious activity faster, too, potentially keeping small security incidents from becoming major ones.

Enhanced Infrastructure Reliability

With greater insight into threats and vulnerabilities, FWaaS improves the reliability of networks and operations. If they’re secure, they’re more likely to process traffic in a safe, consistent way. Proactive security protections reduce the interruptions brought on by malicious activity.

8 Challenges of Firewall-as-a-Service

Whether FWaaS is suitable for your organization will depend on your specific needs, security requirements, and existing infrastructure. It’s important to evaluate potential disadvantages, as well as benefits when considering FWaaS. While firewalls as a service offer numerous benefits, you should also consider potential disadvantages like lack of customization, privacy issues, vendor concerns, and a decreased ability to manage local security and technology.

Dependence on Internet Connectivity

FWaaS heavily relies on a consistent internet connection. If your organization faces internet outages or slowdowns, the network security provided by FWaaS could be compromised. During such instances, your network might be vulnerable to cyber threats due to the reliance on connectivity for protection. If the provider’s cloud infrastructure goes down, the same problem applies.

Limited Control Over Customization

Unlike traditional on-premise firewalls, FWaaS might restrict customization options. This can be challenging for organizations with specific security needs or unique network setups. The predefined settings might not align with your organization’s requirements, which could affect your desired level of protection.

Data Privacy Concerns

The use of third-party cloud servers for routing network traffic raises concerns about data privacy and compliance. Organizations handling sensitive data might hesitate due to potential exposure to data breaches. Complying with regulations becomes more complex when data processing occurs outside the organization’s premises, requiring you to carefully evaluate a potential FWaaS provider’s data handling practices.

Uncertain Vendor Reliability

The effectiveness of FWaaS is tied to the reliability of the chosen vendor. Downtime, technical glitches, or breaches on the vendor’s end could compromise your network’s security. Vetting the vendor’s track record and security measures is essential to mitigate this risk.

Initial Migration Complexity

Implementing FWaaS involves modifying existing network structures and configurations. Migrating from traditional firewalls might require IT teams to acquire new skills, and you’ll need to implement your organization’s policies on a new firewall configuration. This initial deployment curve can take significant time, though it’s a natural part of implementing any new technology.

Ongoing Costs

FWaaS eliminates upfront hardware expenses but introduces continuous subscription-based costs. Over time, these costs could surpass the investment of traditional firewalls. Organizations must weigh the long-term convenience and improved security against the accumulating expenses.

Limited Local Inspection

Traditional firewalls enable detailed local network traffic inspection. However, FWaaS might perform some inspection in the cloud, reducing visibility into local network activities. This could impact threat detection within your organization’s network.

Integrating with Existing Systems

Integrating FWaaS with existing network structures and tools can be complex, especially if you have a lot of legacy networking equipment. The firewall integration process requires careful planning and potential custom development. Misaligned integration could lead to disruptions or security vulnerabilities.

How Much Does FWaaS Cost?

Costs for firewall services vary widely between vendors, but they also vary depending on your business’s environment — how many applications you need to protect, any subscription fees, and vendor-side maintenance costs. Since your business isn’t paying for hardware, FWaaS costs rely largely on deployment and management the vendor has to perform.

Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services both offer cloud-based firewalls that they only price based on policies and deployments — each costs $100 per policy per month. Azure also gives the option to pay $0.40 per hour for each firewall deployment. Generally speaking, firewall services can cost anywhere from $40 a month (or fewer) to a few hundred dollars a month. But very expensive solutions can go into the thousands of dollars per month.

Top 3 FWaaS Solutions

While there are a number of standout FWaaS solutions, three stand out in our analysis. Perimeter81, Cisco Secure Firewall, and Zscaler offer distinctive methods for safeguarding networks and data tailored to meet the demands of complex enterprise environments.

Perimeter 81

Perimeter 81 is an FWaaS vendor that focuses on providing secure access to on-premises and cloud resources. Its zero trust network access (ZTNA) strategy allows users to access resources based on their identification. Perimeter 81’s user-centric architecture allows businesses to specify and control security rules based on people, groups, and apps. The Premium Plus plan costs $16 per user per month and $40 extra per month for each gateway.

Cisco Secure Firewall

Cisco offers a range of firewalls that encompass hybrid, cloud, and SASE use cases. Secure Firewall is an NGFW solution known for its strong security features and all-encompassing threat defense capabilities. To defend networks from both known and new threats, it incorporates powerful intrusion prevention, application control, URL filtering, and malware protection. Contact Cisco to receive a custom quote for your business.

Zscaler

Zscaler’s cloud firewall is part of the company’s Security Services Edge (SSE) platform and provides a comprehensive solution particularly suited for hybrid environments. Zscaler uses advanced security technologies to focus on real-time threat prevention, like sandboxing and threat intelligence. It inspects all communication, including encrypted traffic, for possible threats, malware, and phishing attempts. Contact Zscaler for a custom quote.

What Are the Differences & Similarities Between FWaaS & NGFW?

FWaaS is a cloud-based service that provides firewall functionality as part of a cloud computing environment. An NGFW is a type of firewall that typically goes beyond traditional network firewall functionality by adding advanced features like application awareness and intrusion prevention. The two terms measure slightly different things, but they can overlap — some FWaaS solutions offer advanced NGFW functionality, while some NGFWs are cloud-based.

FWaaS offers the same protection as traditional on-premises firewalls but is delivered as a service over the Internet. FWaaS is a larger category that can contain both simpler firewalls and NGFWs.

FWaaS & NGFW Differences

The following chart highlights the differences between FWaaS and NGFW deployments, including how they’re managed and how customizable they are.

FWaaS & NGFW Similarities

FWaaS and NGFW share many common firewall characteristics:

• Security policy implementation: Both solutions enforce security policies to ensure network safeguards.
• Threat detection capability: Both FWaaS and NGFW can identify and respond to a wide range of threat types.
• Application control features: Both encompass application control features, regulating user access.
• Management console: Both offer centralized management interfaces for handling firewall-wide policies.
• Packet filtering functionality: Both execute packet filtering, permitting or blocking specific data packets.
• Access management: Both manage incoming and outgoing data traffic through access controls.

If an NGFW also sounds like a good option for your team, check out the top NGFW vendors next, as well as the most important features to look for in NGFWs.

Bottom Line: Improve Security & Flexibility with FWaaS

FWaaS is a flexible cybersecurity solution specially designed to manage the complexities of the contemporary digital ecosystem. By utilizing cloud technology, FWaaS greatly expands the utility of firewalls to encompass cloud, hybrid, and virtual network environments. It’s also beneficial for smaller organizations or limited networking and security teams with more time to do complex tasks when their firewall is externally managed.

Is your business considering other cloud security solutions aside from firewalls? Learn more about Zscaler, Palo Alto, Tenable, and our other picks for top cloud security providers.

Sam Ingalls and Jenna Phipps contributed to this article.

The post What Is Firewall-as-a-Service? FWaaS Ultimate Guide appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

That makes ASM’s ambitions much greater than legacy vulnerability management tools. Attack surface management aims to automate the process of discovering, assessing, and prioritizing vulnerabilities and third-party, digital supply chain, and cloud risks. It addresses both internal and external (EASM) risks. CAASM (cyber asset ASM) and DRPS (digital risk protection) are also related terms and elements of ASM.

Here are our seven picks for the early leaders in the attack surface management market:

• CyCognito: Best for uncovering attack vectors
• Google Cloud Security by Mandiant: Best for identifying and managing your external attack surface
• Palo Alto Cortex Xpanse: Best for continuous monitoring and managing surface attacks
• Microsoft Defender: Best external surface defense tool
• CrowdStrike Falcon Surface: Best cloud-based ASM solution
• Tenable: Best for external attack surface management
• IBM Randori: Best for attack surface simulation and testing

Top Attack Surface Management Software Comparison

Here is a comparison of the top attack surface management tools, followed by in-depth reviews.

CyCognito

Best for Uncovering Attack Vectors

CyCognito excels at finding concealed attack routes by modeling adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). It creates a comprehensive picture of your attack surface, including assets that typical security solutions can’t see. Its technology specializes in managing the attack surface by recognizing, prioritizing, and removing external security issues. CyCognito also provides information on a company’s digital footprint, including unknown and shadow IT assets.

Pricing

Through its SaaS architecture, CyCognito provides tiered pricing for security testing, intelligence, and premium support. Pricing is dependent on the quantity of Internet-facing assets.

• Starts at $11 per asset per month
• The entire expense for a 12-month commitment is $30,000
• A 24-month package is offered for $60,000 in total
• Businesses can choose a 36-month package for $80,000 in total

Features

• Zero-input discovery
• Contextualization
• Security testing
• Prioritization
• Remediation acceleration

Pros

• Comprehensive visibility
• Automation features
• Real-time threat intelligence
• Risk prioritization
• User-friendly
• Compliance support

Cons

• Can generate false positives
• Limited to external threats
• Effectiveness depends on regular vulnerability database updates

Mandiant Attack Surface Management

Best for Identifying and Managing External Attack Surfaces

Mandiant Attack Surface Management (ASMS) is a cloud-based solution that helps organizations identify, assess, and manage their external attack surface. Google-owned Mandiant provides a comprehensive view of all internet-facing assets, including public-facing websites, subdomains, cloud resources, and third-party assets. ASMS also provides insights into the risks associated with each asset and how to mitigate them.

Pricing

Mandiant Attack Surface Management doesn’t reveal pricing, but a free trial is available on their signup page.

Features

• Continuous exposure monitoring
• Operationalize expertise and intelligence
• Assess high-velocity exploit impact
• Identify unsanctioned resources
• Digital supply chain monitoring
• Subsidiary monitoring

Pros

• Accurate IOCs
• Easy API integration
• In-depth vulnerability understanding
• Optimized threat intelligence
• Quick reporting of zero-day vulnerabilities

Cons

• Needs adjustments in feeds according to threat profiling, requiring ongoing attention
• Support response delays
• Complex architecture during implementation and in the system’s architecture

Palo Alto Cortex Xpanse

Best for Continuous Monitoring and Managing Surface Attacks

Palo Alto Cortex Xpanse is best for continuously monitoring and managing your attack surface. It provides a real-time view of assets and the risks associated with them. Cortex Xpanse also provides insights into how attackers are targeting your organization and how to defend against them.

Pricing

• Palo Alto Cortex Expander web-based subscription platform covers 999 AUM and Basic Customer Success support, all for an annual price of $95,000 per unit.

Features

• Addresses security blindspots
• Helps eliminate shadow cloud
• Improves zero-day response
• Merger and acquisition (M&A) evaluation
• Scalable across environments

Pros

• Cloud-based and highly scalable, catering to the needs of large enterprises
• Behavior alert functionality
• Detailed reports allow drilling down into vulnerabilities, with information on severity and likelihood of exploitation
• Highly intuitive UI, making it easy to access and understand information
• Works across cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, ensuring comprehensive security coverage

Cons

• SIEM tool integration challenges reported
• Cloud-based nature affects performance on certain browsers
• Depth of visibility into attack chains is limited
• Additional licensing may be required

Microsoft Defender

Best for External Surface Defense

Microsoft Defender is best for organizations that are already using Microsoft security solutions. It offers an all-encompassing attack surface management solution connected with other Microsoft security solutions. In addition, Microsoft Defender integrates seamlessly with the larger Microsoft ecosystem, allowing enterprises to capitalize on synergies across several platforms and apps. This integrated strategy improves overall security by enabling more efficient threat detection, response, and repair operations. 

Pricing

• Microsoft Representative – $0.011 asset/day
• Azure Portal – $0.011 asset/day

Features

• Real-time inventory
• Exposure detection and prioritization
• More secure management for each resource

Pros

• Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface Management takes a proactive approach to controlling external attack surfaces, allowing businesses to keep ahead of possible attacks
• Automates asset discovery by searching the internet and network, resulting in a list of actionable items for InfoSec and Infrastructure teams
• Multicloud view and threat intelligence
• Real-time protection and integration

Cons

• Limited to the Microsoft ecosystem
• Users struggle with customization and a complicated interface
• The tool may generate false positives, necessitating manual verification, and it extensively relies on automation, resulting in occasional failures
• Requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint subscription and can have integration issues with legacy systems

CrowdStrike Falcon Surface 

Best Cloud-Based ASM Solution

CrowdStrike Falcon Surface is ideal for businesses seeking a cloud-based attack surface management solution. It gives you a complete picture of your attack surface, encompassing assets on-premises, in the cloud, and in hybrid settings. Integration with the Falcon platform also makes it ideal for existing CrowdStrike customers.

Pricing

• CrowdStrike Falcon Surface pricing is offered within CrowdStrike’s Falcon Bundles. Falcon Go is at $299.95 per year, Falcon Pro is at $499.95 per year, and Falcon Business is at $924.95 per year. Falcon Enterprise’s price is upon request.

Features

• Adversarial-based risk prioritization
• Guided remediation
• AI-powered analytics identify critical exposures
• Asset discovery

Pros

• Leverages cloud and AI-based technology
• Customized threat detection
• Covers wide range of devices and operating systems
• Custom reports
• Accuracy in uncovering risks

Cons

• Can be expensive for SMBs
• Requires high-speed internet due to its cloud-based service
• Interface can be complex for beginners

Tenable Attack Surface Management 

Best for External Attack Surface Management

Tenable Attack Surface Management continuously maps the environment and discovers connections to internet-facing assets, allowing you to quickly identify and analyze the security posture of your entire external attack surface. Its continuous mapping and monitoring capabilities give real-time data so you can stay ahead of new threats and make educated defensive decisions. Tenable helps you analyze the present security posture and also execute proactive steps that increase your overall resilience against external attacks by providing complete insight into internet-facing assets and their interconnections.

Pricing

• 1 Year – $5,290
• 2 Years – $10,315.50 (Save $264.50)
• 3 Years – $15,076.50 (Save $793.50)

Features

• Advanced technology fingerprinting identifying common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs)
• Thousands of software versions
• Geolocation
• Programming frameworks
• Continuous dynamic data refreshes
• Attack surface change alerts

Pros

• Maps externally visible infrastructure and keeps this info up to date
• Can show scan findings in its Business Context to aid in management reporting
• Very good asset management
• Strong vulnerability scanning engine

Cons

• Takes time to get used to navigating the platform
• Some filters can be hard to find
• You may need to pay for additional components for full visibility across your tech surface

IBM Security Randori

Best for Attack Surface Simulation and Testing

IBM Security Randori is a cloud-based attack surface management tool that assists businesses in identifying and mitigating security flaws. Randori employs a novel technique to attack surface management the company calls adversary simulation. Adversary simulation includes mimicking an attacker’s behavior in order to find security flaws that might be exploited.

Pricing

• IBM Security Randori doesn’t publicly display their ASM pricing. But they offer a 7-day free trial, which you can access through their website.

Features

• External reconnaissance
• Discovery path
• Risk-based prioritization
• Remediance guidance
• M&A risk management
• Shadow IT discovery

Pros

• Comes with a target temptation tool that users give high marks to
• Continuous perimeter monitoring for external cyberattacks in real time
• Helps identify blind spots and obsolete assets

Cons

• Doesn’t have an email alert for updates and upgrade recommendations
• Not all defensive tools are available globally

Key Features of Attack Surface Management Software

Features and capabilities can vary in the emerging attack surface management market, but here are some essential features to look for in ASM solutions:

• Asset discovery: Safeguard assets housed on partner or third-party sites, cloud workloads, IoT devices, abandoned or deprecated IP addresses and credentials, Shadow IT, and more.
• Business context and importance of an asset: Once assets have been discovered, you must assess their business context and importance. This will help organizations prioritize their remediation efforts and focus on the assets that are most critical.
• Continuous risk assessment: Assessing vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, data exposures, and other security gaps is constantly changing as new assets are added, vulnerabilities are discovered, and misconfigurations are introduced. Continuous risk assessment helps organizations identify and address risks as soon as they emerge.
• Prioritization: Once risks have been identified, it’s important to prioritize them based on the likelihood of exploit and the potential impact on the business.
• Remediation plan: A thorough remediation plan is critical for minimizing identified risks and strengthening an organization’s cybersecurity posture. It provides a strategy roadmap that is adapted to the organization’s issues, guaranteeing focused and proactive efforts to counter potential risks.
• Validating fixes: Once fixes have been implemented, the next step is to test them to ensure they are effective.
• Reporting: Attack surface management requires regular reporting to help organizations track their progress in reducing risk and identify areas for improvement.
• Integration with SIEM, ITSM, and CMDB: Other security solutions, such as security information and event management (SIEM) systems, IT service management (ITSM) systems, and configuration management databases (CMDBs), should be integrated with attack surface management solutions. This integration assists enterprises in streamlining their security operations and improving the efficacy of their attack surface management program.

How to Choose the Best Attack Surface Management Software for Your Business

When choosing an attack surface management software for your organization, look for one that offers a comprehensive view of your environment and continuous monitoring, provides insight into risks, integrates with your existing infrastructure, and is scalable. Here are some of the issues for potential buyers to consider.

• The size and complexity of your attack surface: The sophistication and functionality required in an attack surface management system are determined by the size and complexity of your attack surface. If your attack surface is broad and complicated, you’ll need a solution that can find and analyze all of your assets, including known and unknown assets, third-party assets, and cloud assets.
• Your security budget: Attack surface management software can cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars each year. Be sure to select a solution that matches both your budget and your security requirements.
• Your existing security infrastructure: If you currently have a lot of security solutions in place, you will need to select an attack surface management solution that interfaces with your existing infrastructure. This will assist you in streamlining your security operations and avoiding redundant work.
• Your risk tolerance: The amount of security you require from an attack surface management system is determined by your risk tolerance. You may be able to pick a less expensive option with fewer features if you have a high-risk tolerance. If your risk tolerance is low, you may need to pick a more expensive option with additional features.
• Your individual/business requirements: In addition to the broad considerations indicated above, you should consider your specific requirements when selecting an attack surface management system. If you work in a regulated business, for example, you may need to select a solution that is certified to satisfy certain compliance criteria.

How We Evaluated Attack Surface Management Software

For our analysis of the attack surface management product market, we gave the highest weight to product capabilities, as ASM is a technology that requires broad reach and functionality. Other considerations included ease of use and deployment, user feedback, price and value, reporting, asset discovery, automation, integration, risk prioritization, and more.

Attack Surface Discovery & Assessment Capabilities – 50%

We looked at how well ASM products discover and identify assets and risks, the breadth of environments covered, and automation features such as risk prioritization, patching and mitigation recommendations, and validation.

Ease of Use & Deployment – 20%

Attack surface management tools cover a lot of risks, assets, and environments, so their ease of use is particularly important for overburdened security teams. This also includes false alerts and the amount of tuning required.

Pricing & Value – 20%

We looked at both the price of the products as well as the relative value and breadth of features that users get for that price.

Additional Features – 10%

These include integration with other tools like SIEM, CMDB, and CI/CD tools, and reporting, including compliance features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is the Significance of ASM in Business?

ASM is critical because it enables firms to identify and manage any security threats in advance, creating a strong defense against cyberattacks.

What Distinguishes ASM from Standard Security Measures?

ASM focuses on mapping the whole attack surface, including hidden or undisclosed assets, delivering a more complete security strategy and going beyond tools like vulnerability management.

What Characteristics Should I Look for in ASM Software?

In an ASM solution, look for effective threat exposure detection and remediation, user-friendly interfaces, seamless integration with remediation tools, real-time threat information, and thorough reporting capabilities.

Is ASM Appropriate for Small Businesses?

Yes, ASM is effective for all sizes of enterprises. Many ASM solutions provide scalable choices to meet the unique requirements and budgets of small organizations.

Is It Possible to Combine ASM Software with Current Security Tools?

Yes, ASM software is designed to integrate effectively with other security solutions, thus improving the overall security architecture.

How Frequently Should ASM Scans Be Performed?

To keep up with the changing nature of digital assets and evolving risks, regular ASM scans should be performed, ideally on a frequent, if not continuous, basis.

Is ASM Software Resistant to Zero-Day Vulnerabilities?

Yes, by delivering real-time threat intelligence and response capabilities, ASM software can be successful against zero-day vulnerabilities.

What Industries Are the Most Benefited by ASM Solutions?

Because of their superior threat detection and response capabilities, ASM solutions help industries dealing with sensitive data, such as banking, healthcare, and government.

Bottom Line: ASM Reduces Attack Surfaces

Attack Surface Management software is a welcome evolution in vulnerability management, securing digital assets by discovering, analyzing, and maintaining a wide range of assets and environments that attackers may try to exploit. The best ASM provider must be chosen carefully, taking into account criteria such as the size and complexity of the attack surface, security budget, current infrastructure, risk tolerance, location and type of sensitive data, and special features that match an organization’s needs. A solid reputation and track record are also a necessity, and the vendors we’ve reviewed here are all capable of meeting these criteria.

The post 7 Best Attack Surface Management Software for 2024 appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

By exploring the top eight issues and preventative measures, as well as shedding light on the security benefits of IaaS, you can better secure your cloud security infrastructure. Moreover, understanding basic best practices and the varied variety of software contributing to good IaaS cloud security improves your capacity to construct a strong defense against prospective attacks.

Whether you’re a seasoned cloud expert or just starting out, understanding IaaS security is critical for a resilient and secure cloud architecture.

What Is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Security?

IaaS security refers to the procedures, technologies, and safeguards put in place by IaaS providers to protect their computer infrastructure. IaaS is a cloud computing model that uses the internet to supply virtualized computer resources. Organizations can rent infrastructure components like virtual machines, storage, and networking from IaaS providers rather than owning and managing actual servers and data centers.

Top 8 IaaS Security Risks & Issues

Each of these IaaS security risks and issues highlights the importance of a comprehensive security strategy, including ongoing monitoring, regular audits, and user education to mitigate potential threats and vulnerabilities in the cloud environment. Navigating the IaaS security landscape entails tackling issues such as limited control over the underlying infrastructure, the danger of security misconfigurations, and the possibility of attackers escaping virtualized settings. Understanding and controlling these characteristics proactively are critical components of a robust and secure cloud infrastructure.

Limited Control

In IaaS, cloud service providers manage the underlying infrastructure, leaving users with limited control over the networking equipment, storage devices, and other hardware resources, which may raise concerns about the implementation of security measures, making it critical for users to rely on the cloud provider’s security practices.

Security Misconfigurations

Inadequately designed security settings, such as open ports, lax access restrictions, or misconfigured firewall rules, might expose infrastructure vulnerabilities. These types of security misconfigurations are a prevalent issue, often caused by human error during cloud resource setup and administration.

Escaping Virtual Machines (VMs), Containers, or Sandboxes

Sophisticated attackers may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in virtualization technologies, containers, or sandboxes to break out of the isolated environments. Escaping these boundaries could potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive data and compromise the security of the entire infrastructure.

Compromised Identities

In IaaS setups, the breach of user credentials or access keys constitutes a substantial concern. If attackers obtain access to valid user identities, they can abuse permissions and get access to resources, possibly resulting in data breaches, unauthorized changes, or service interruptions.

Breaking Authentication

Attackers can get unauthorized access to the IaaS environment by exploiting weak authentication systems or weaknesses in the authentication process. This danger emphasizes the significance of having strong authentication mechanisms and upgrading access controls on a regular basis.

Breaking Encryption

Encryption is a key security solution for both at-rest and in-transit data protection. Vulnerabilities in encryption techniques, on the other hand, or bad key management policies, might expose data to prospective intrusions. Attackers may try to exploit these flaws to decode and access sensitive data.

Shadow Services

Shadow services are cloud services or resources that users deploy without the IT department’s knowledge or consent. These unlicensed services may not have adequate security measures in place, presenting possible vulnerabilities and raising the risk of data disclosure or loss.

Compliance & Regulation Requirements

IaaS users must follow industry-specific compliance and regulatory requirements. Failure to achieve these requirements can lead to legal ramifications, financial penalties, and reputational harm. Compliance is a joint obligation of the cloud service provider and the user.

Are There Security Benefits to IaaS?

IaaS provides robust and scalable security benefits for organizations, enhancing their overall security posture and reducing the burden of managing complex infrastructure security. However, customers also have a shared responsibility to secure their applications, data, and configurations within the cloud environment.

Key security benefits of adopting IaaS include:

Professional Security Expertise

IaaS companies make significant investments in security and employ dedicated security teams with experience in securing cloud infrastructure. By using the provider’s knowledge and resources, enterprises may have access to best practices and sophisticated security features without needing in-house security expertise.

Physical Security Measures

At their data centers, IaaS companies apply stringent physical security measures such as access restrictions, surveillance, and environmental controls. This helps to prevent unwanted physical access and safeguards the physical infrastructure that hosts the virtualized resources.

Automated Security Updates & Patching

The underlying hardware and software infrastructure is managed and maintained by IaaS providers. This involves managing operating system and component security updates and fixes. Automated updates guarantee that vulnerabilities are fixed as soon as possible, lowering the risk of exploitation.

Scalable Security Resources

IaaS enables enterprises to expand their security resources based on their needs. Organizations may modify their security measures to their changing requirements without making major upfront expenses, whether it’s boosting bandwidth, adding encryption, or adopting extra security services.

Network Security Controls

Firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and virtual private networks (VPNs) are among the network security features provided by IaaS providers. These controls aid in the protection of data in transit and the prevention of illegal access to resources.

Data Encryption

IaaS companies often provide encryption for data at rest and in transit. This guarantees that even if a breach occurs, the affected data remains unreadable without the necessary decryption keys, hence improving overall data security.

Identity & Access Management (IAM)

IaaS systems provide IAM features for managing user identities, access rights, and authentication. This guarantees that only authorized people have access to specified resources, reducing the risk of illegal access and data breaches.

Global Compliance Certifications

Leading IaaS providers go through and acquire numerous industry-specific compliance certifications (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2), as well as follow regional data protection legislation (e.g., GDPR). This can ease compliance efforts for firms that use IaaS because they inherit many of the cloud provider’s security protections.

Disaster Recovery & High Availability

Disaster recovery and high availability capabilities are frequently implemented into IaaS platforms. Redundancy across several data centers and automatic backup systems help to build a more robust infrastructure, lowering the effect of any security incidents or interruptions.

Security Monitoring & Logging

IaaS providers provide security monitoring, logging, and auditing solutions. These capabilities enable enterprises to track and analyze activity within their infrastructure, assisting in the discovery of security events and enabling regulatory compliance.

General IaaS Security Best Practices

These generic IaaS security best practices contribute to a strong security posture, assisting enterprises in mitigating threats and safeguarding their cloud infrastructure. Organizations can improve their overall security resilience in the dynamic and evolving landscape of cloud computing by understanding the IaaS provider’s security model, implementing strict authentication measures, encrypting data at rest, monitoring network protocols and maintaining inventories, and ensuring consistent patching.

Know the IaaS Security Model Provider

Understand the security model of your IaaS provider by extensively examining their documentation and connecting with their support channels. Different suppliers may have different security duties, therefore clarify shared responsibility and augment security measures accordingly. This enables organizations to integrate their internal security policies with the provider’s approach, resulting in a more robust and consistent cloud security posture.

Set Up Strict Authentication Protocols

For IaaS security, use strict authentication mechanisms. Enforce strong password restrictions, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for user logins, and evaluate and improve user access permissions regularly. Strict authentication not only strengthens the defense against unauthorized access and compromised credentials but also creates a resilient defense, improving overall access control and lowering the chance of security breaches.

Use Data at Rest Encryption

Prioritize data-at-rest encryption to protect data stored in the cloud. Use the encryption tools supplied by the IaaS platform to securely manage encryption keys. By encrypting data at rest, even if unwanted access occurs, the data remains unreadable in the absence of the required decryption keys. This proactive method dramatically improves data security by preserving confidentiality and protecting sensitive data from future intrusions.

Perform Regular Protocol & Inventory Monitoring

Maintain constant network protocol monitoring and a detailed resource inventory to detect and address security vulnerabilities. Monitor network protocols for unusual traffic patterns, and update the inventory regularly to verify that all assets are appropriately recognized and effectively safeguarded. This proactive monitoring strategy improves the organization’s capacity to identify and respond quickly to possible security concerns, hence increasing the overall resilience of the IaaS infrastructure.

Practice Consistent Patching

Effectively mitigate vulnerabilities by deploying security patches and upgrades to the operating system and other software components regularly. Patch management solutions may be used to automate and streamline the patching process, assuring uniform patching across the infrastructure. Patching on time and consistently decreases the chance of exploitation through known vulnerabilities, improving the overall security posture of the IaaS infrastructure.

Types of Software for Strong IaaS Cloud Security

To secure sensitive data, apps, and resources in the cloud, IaaS must be secured. Combining these software types can significantly improve the security posture of your cloud-based IaaS system. A solid cloud security approach must include frequent upgrades, monitoring, and a proactive security policy.

As we look at the individual software solutions that improve IaaS security, each tool acts as an important piece of the jigsaw of protecting your digital assets. By seamlessly integrating these technologies, you not only strengthen your defenses but also create a dynamic and resilient security ecosystem capable of reacting to emerging threats in the cloud world.

Firewalls

Firewalls play an essential role in enhancing the security of your system. Network firewalls, which are outfitted with predetermined security rules, actively regulate both incoming and outgoing traffic, acting as a strong deterrent to illegal access attempts. These firewalls act as diligent gatekeepers, preventing unauthorized access to your system.

Web Application Firewalls (WAF), on the other hand, are designed to improve the security of web applications. WAFs specialize in filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between web applications and the Internet, ensuring that your web-based assets are protected from any threats and vulnerabilities.

IDPS (Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems)

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) play an important role in bolstering the security of your network and systems. It constantly tracks network or system activity for signals of malicious conduct or violations of security standards. These attentive systems act as early warning systems, spotting possible risks quickly.

Going a step further, Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) intervene proactively by actively stopping or blocking any malicious activity that is detected. As a dynamic defensive mechanism, IPS provides quick and immediate action to prevent the incursion, offering an extra layer of protection to your total security framework.

Software for Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware Protection

Anti-virus and anti-malware software use signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, and real-time scanning to protect against various dangerous threats such as viruses and trojans. Advanced security features like behavioral analysis and cloud-based protection improve security, while automated updates and adjustable scanning schedules offer ongoing and targeted defense against developing threats.

Security Software

Data at rest and in transit is protected by security software, which includes disk encryption, file encryption, and communication encryption. Security is enhanced via key management and transparent encryption, while sophisticated features like homomorphic encryption and multi-cloud compatibility give full protection. The integration of cryptographic key management with hardware security modules improves cryptographic key management.

Tools for Identity & Access Management (IAM)

IAM technologies handle user identities, access privileges, and authentication in a centralized manner, automating user provisioning and de-provisioning. Authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication, authorization based on role-based access control, and behavior analytics to detect abnormalities are all core tasks. Advanced features, such as self-service portals and connection with human resource systems, simplify access control and assure policy compliance.

SIEM (Security Information & Event Management) Systems

SIEM systems gather and analyze log data from a variety of infrastructure sources, allowing for issue identification and response via real-time monitoring and integration with threat intelligence. Advanced capabilities for better threat detection include user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) and machine learning, while compliance reporting assures adherence to security requirements during regulatory audits.

Software for Vulnerability Management

Vulnerability management software finds and prioritizes infrastructure flaws, performs frequent scans, and provides actionable suggestions for remedy. The solution connects with patch management systems, maintains continuous security landscape monitoring, and provides advanced features such as automatic repair and integration with real-time threat information for full vulnerability assessment.

Platforms for Security Orchestration, Automation, & Response (SOAR)

SOAR technologies automate security procedures, allowing for quick incident response coordination and real-time analysis. These technologies interact with a variety of security systems, enable the construction of customized incident response playbooks, and utilize sophisticated capabilities like machine learning and incident response analytics for better decision-making and historical event data analysis.

Container Security Tools

Container security technologies scan images for vulnerabilities, monitor runtime environments, and enforce access rules to guarantee the secure deployment of containerized applications. Advanced features include configuration policy enforcement, interaction with orchestration systems such as Kubernetes, and network security mechanisms to protect communication within containerized environments.

Patch Management Software

Patch management software automates the distribution of security updates to systems and applications, prioritizes fixes based on severity, and analyzes policy compliance. With sophisticated features such as rollback mechanisms for patch reversibility and interaction with vulnerability management tools for a holistic security strategy, these solutions contribute to keeping up-to-date software and decreasing the risk of exploitation through known vulnerabilities.

Bottom Line: IaaS Cloud Security

Securing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) necessitates a comprehensive approach that tackles recognized threats while capitalizing on natural security benefits. Organizations may develop a robust security posture in the cloud by identifying and managing threats such as restricted control, misconfigurations, and compromised identities.

Key components of a good IaaS security plan include constant monitoring, frequent audits, and user education. Implementing the above insights and following IaaS best practices can enable a stable and secure IaaS system in the ever-changing cloud computing world.

The post IaaS Security: Top 8 Issues & Prevention Best Practices appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

IaaS involves virtualized computing resources over the internet, with users responsible for securing the operating system, applications, data, and networks. Security concerns include data protection, network security, identity and access management, and physical security. PaaS providers manage the underlying infrastructure and runtime environment, while users focus on developing and deploying applications. They must secure their applications against vulnerabilities, implement strong access controls, and assess vendor security practices. SaaS providers deliver software applications over the internet, with users focusing on using the software without managing the underlying infrastructure or platform.

While IaaS gives complete control and accountability, PaaS strikes a compromise between control and simplicity, and SaaS provides a more hands-off approach with the provider handling the majority of security duties. Organizations must customize their security measures to the unique characteristics and shared responsibility models of the cloud service model they have selected.

IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS Security Comparison

The following chart presents a high-level overview of major security issues for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, with a focus on the shared responsibility model and the allocation of security obligations between users and providers.

What Is IaaS Security?

IaaS represents a cloud computing model where virtualized resources like virtual machines, storage, and networking are delivered over the internet. This on-demand service allows users flexibility and scalability without the need for physical hardware investment.

IaaS Security Concerns

Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks against Cloud Computing Resources

Denial of Service attacks try to impair a service’s availability by flooding it with traffic, leaving it unable to respond to valid requests. Attackers may flood cloud-based computational resources, such as virtual machines, with a large volume of traffic. This might result in considerable performance decreases or the entire inaccessibility of some resources.

The consequence of a successful DoS attack is that it can reduce the availability of applications and services operating on the impacted cloud-based computing resources, creating downtime and potentially compromising other interconnected services.

Compromised Cloud Compute Instances Used in Botnets

Botnets are networks of hacked computers or devices that are controlled by a hostile actor. Compromised cloud computing instances are enlisted into a botnet in this scenario, allowing the attacker to manage and coordinate their nefarious operations.

These instances can be used for a variety of nefarious objectives, including coordinated attacks, virus distribution, and additional breaches into the cloud environment. Using hacked cloud computing instances in a botnet can boost the attacker’s computational capacity, making their operations more powerful. It can also increase security concerns for the cloud provider and other customers that use the same infrastructure.

Limited Control

​​In the IaaS framework, limited control refers to the inherent difficulty users face in monitoring and changing some components of the underlying infrastructure. While users retain control over their virtualized resources, such as virtual machines, storage, and networking configurations, their visibility and authority at the infrastructure level are frequently limited.

This constraint can have an influence on the execution of security measures and customization choices, forcing users to rely on the cloud provider’s security standards for parts over which they have no direct control. To handle the challenges associated with limited control in IaaS, it is critical to strike a balance between user autonomy and provider-managed infrastructure.

Security Misconfigurations

Security misconfigurations are flaws caused by incorrectly configured settings, permissions, or network parameters in the IaaS system. Users are responsible for setting their virtual machines and other resources under the IaaS paradigm. Access restrictions, network settings, and security group rules are all at risk of misconfiguration.

Security misconfigurations can have serious effects, ranging from the exposure of sensitive data to illegal access. Regular security audits, adherence to best practices, and extensive user training are critical methods for identifying and correcting misconfigurations and limiting related risks.

Escaping Virtual Machines (VMs), Containers, or Sandboxes

Escaping virtual machines, containers, or sandboxes entails taking advantage of security flaws to get out of enclosed computer environments. In the context of virtual machines, this entails circumventing the hypervisor’s security to access other virtual machines or the host system. Similarly, it includes bypassing barriers for illegal access in containers – which is similar to breaking out of a secure sandbox.

This is a severe security concern since it might result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, compromise of more virtual machines, and potential service interruptions. To avoid such escapes, effective hypervisor security, regular upgrades, and proactive vulnerability monitoring are required to keep the IaaS infrastructure secure.

Compromised Identities

User identities and access restrictions are critical in IaaS implementations for safeguarding virtual machines, storage, and other components. When attackers acquire user credentials or access tokens, those identification assets are compromised. The attackers can then impersonate genuine users and obtain unauthorized access to virtualized resources.

Left unchecked, compromised identities potentially lead to data breaches, service interruptions, or the misuse of computing resources. Organizations must adopt robust authentication procedures, use multi-factor authentication, and monitor and update user credentials on a regular basis to reduce the dangers associated with compromised identities.

Compliance & Regulation Requirements

The IaaS environment’s compliance and regulation requirements emphasize the need to conform to industry-specific legislation, standards, and security policies. IaaS users must verify that their cloud deployments comply with appropriate legal frameworks, industry-specific compliance requirements, and internal security rules.

Failure to meet these criteria may result in legal penalties, fines, and reputational harm. A full grasp of the applicable legislation, continual monitoring of the developing compliance landscape, and the deployment of effective security measures to fulfill organizational and regulatory requirements are all required to achieve and maintain compliance.

IaaS Security Best Practices

Data Encryption

Effective data encryption in the IaaS context necessitates the use of strong encryption methods for both data at rest and data in transit. Using modern encryption techniques offers another degree of protection, protecting critical data from illegal access. Encrypting data at rest ensures that the data remains unreadable even if physical storage is hacked. Meanwhile, encrypting data in transit secures it as it travels between infrastructure components. This best practice is critical for protecting data security and integrity inside the IaaS framework.

Access Controls

Implementing access controls in IaaS is critical for adhering to the concept of least privilege: ensuring that users only have the rights required for their specified responsibilities. This best practice entails monitoring and updating access restrictions on a regular basis to correspond with changing organizational requirements. Organizations can reduce the risk of illegal activity and improve overall security by offering the lowest degree of access necessary. This ongoing evaluation and modification of access restrictions contributes to a dynamic and secure access management architecture inside the IaaS environment.

Network Security

Maintaining strong network security in IaaS requires keeping software up to date and patched to address vulnerabilities as soon as possible. This best practice decreases the danger of prospective attackers exploiting known vulnerabilities. Using network security solutions like firewalls and intrusion detection systems gives an extra layer of defense. These technologies aid in the monitoring and filtering of network traffic, the detection of suspicious behaviors, and the prevention of illegal access, all of which contribute to a robust network security posture inside the IaaS architecture.

Identity Management

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an additional layer of protection, allowing for effective identity management in IaaS. Before getting access, MFA requires users to present several forms of identification, considerably enhancing authentication processes. Reviewing and auditing user access on a regular basis ensures that access rights adhere to the concept of least privilege. This dual approach to identity management strengthens the IaaS environment’s overall security, making it more resistant to unwanted access attempts and possible security breaches.

Monitoring & Logging

​​Using strong monitoring technologies to detect abnormalities and possible security problems is a core best practice in IaaS. These technologies examine system activity, network traffic, and user actions in real time, offering real-time insights into possible risks. Simultaneously, logging and monitoring security events helps to efficiently identify and respond to possible attacks. Organizations may improve their capacity to detect, analyze, and mitigate security problems in the IaaS environment by proactively monitoring and documenting security-related events.

Regular Audits

Routine security audits and assessments proactively detect and correct IaaS problems. These audits include thorough examinations of the infrastructure’s security controls, settings, and adherence to security standards. Third-party security evaluations give an independent examination of the infrastructure’s overall security posture, revealing possible flaws and opportunities for improvement. Regular audits help to instill a continuous improvement cycle, enhancing the IaaS environment’s resilience in the face of new cyber threats and security issues.

Also read: 13 Cloud Security Best Practices & Tips for 2023

What Is PaaS Security?

Platform as a Service (PaaS) security refers to the safeguards put in place to safeguard the applications, data, and infrastructure housed on a PaaS platform. PaaS is a cloud computing service that offers users a platform that allows them to design, execute, and manage applications without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure. In addition, PaaS security entails preventing unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber dangers to these apps and data. It involves adding authentication, encryption, and other security mechanisms to secure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the PaaS platform’s applications and information.

PaaS Security Concerns

PaaS security considerations include a variety of possible hazards and problems that businesses must address in order to maintain the safe functioning of their PaaS systems. Here are some PaaS security risks:

Data Breaches & Data Security

The storage and processing of sensitive data are both potential points of failure. The fear is that illegal access will result in data breaches, manipulation of data, or the unintended exposure of sensitive information. To prevent these threats, it is critical to establish strong data encryption methods that ensure data is securely protected both in transit and at rest.

Platform Vulnerabilities

Platform vulnerabilities in PaaS refer to weaknesses or flaws in the underlying platform, such as infrastructure, runtime environments, or supporting services. If exploited, they can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or disruptions in the PaaS environment. These vulnerabilities compromise the security and stability of the PaaS offering, potentially resulting in unauthorized access to sensitive information, service outages, or manipulation of platform components.

Application Vulnerabilities

Application vulnerabilities in PaaS configurations are flaws in custom-made apps or code that malicious actors might exploit. These vulnerabilities include security flaws, incorrect configuration, and the use of dangerous coding practices. These issues, if not resolved, can result in data breaches, illegal access, or interruptions to critical services. Addressing these vulnerabilities, which necessitate safe coding techniques, regular testing, and constant monitoring, can help to avoid service interruptions and illegal app operations.

Limited Visibility

Limited visibility refers to a lack of awareness of the underlying infrastructure, network settings, and security measures imposed by the provider. This lack of openness might make it difficult to notice and respond to security breaches effectively. It also makes identifying security risks, monitoring suspicious activity, tracking changes, and conducting complete security audits difficult. Organizations may struggle to ensure compliance and analyze the overall security posture of the PaaS environment.

PaaS Security Best Practices

Threat Modeling

Threat modeling is critical for detecting and evaluating possible security risks and vulnerabilities. Organizations may proactively improve the security posture of their apps and infrastructure by methodically assessing and resolving risks. This reduces the chance of successful assaults.

Encrypt Data at Rest & in Transit

Encrypting data at rest and in transit is critical for protecting sensitive information. This method safeguards data against unauthorized access and breaches, preserving data confidentiality and integrity. Encryption is a fundamental requirement to use PaaS security that helps companies satisfy regulatory and compliance obligations while mitigating the impact of security events.

Map & Test Interactions across the Business Flow

Understanding and testing interactions across the business flow helps guarantee application security. Organizations may prevent data breaches, unauthorized access, and other security issues caused by poor interaction mapping and testing by detecting and resolving possible weaknesses in communication paths.

Consider Portability to Avoid Lock-in

Considering portability assists enterprises in avoiding vendor lock-in and increases flexibility when selecting PaaS providers. This best practice guarantees that enterprises may transfer apps and data between platforms, minimizing reliance on a single vendor and lowering the risks associated with changing business requirements.

Take Advantage of Platform-Specific Security Features

Organizations may improve application security by employing PaaS providers’ extensive security features, which include built-in tools and authentication processes. While incorporating these characteristics helps to create a more complete security approach, it is critical to be aware of any limits. Relying only on platform-specific security measures may offer dangers since enterprises may have limited access or visibility into the overall efficacy of the security solutions provided by the PaaS provider.

Install a Web App Firewall

A web application firewall (WAF) safeguards online applications from a variety of cyber threats and protects against typical vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting. By filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic, a WAF can prevent unwanted access, data breaches, and interruptions.

Use Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) Attack Protection

DDoS attacks, also known as Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks, can come from a number of sources, but they usually fall into two categories: botnets and amplification routes. DDoS attack can overload infrastructure, causing service outages. Implementing DDoS attack mitigation solution to assist enterprises in identifying and surviving these attacks, assuring continued service delivery.

Monitor App Performance

Monitoring app performance is essential for detecting and resolving issues that may have an influence on the user experience and general operation. Organizations may spot abnormalities, improve resource consumption, and handle security issues or performance bottlenecks quickly by closely watching performance indicators.

What Is SaaS Security?

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud computing model that delivers software applications via the Internet on a subscription basis. Users use a web browser to access these apps, with providers hosting and maintaining the software, handling upgrades, and assuring its availability and security. SaaS security involves the protection of data, applications, and infrastructure, as well as data privacy, access restrictions, encryption, and compliance with industry rules. Organizations that use SaaS apps must also play a role in data security.

SaaS Security Concerns

To address these SaaS security risks, a mix of proactive risk management, rigorous security assessments, clear communication with service providers, and continuing monitoring and compliance efforts are required.

Cloud Misconfigurations

Cloud misconfigurations are errors in cloud service configuration that can lead to security vulnerabilities, exposing sensitive data and allowing unauthorized access. These configurations are made by both SaaS providers and consumers. Misconfigurations that are not addressed can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and compromised system integrity, stressing the need of correct configuration procedures.

Third-Party Risk

Third-party risk arises when organizations rely on third-party service providers for SaaS applications, which includes issues such as security policies, data processing, and dependability. When a third-party provider has a security issue or an operational interruption, it has an immediate impact on the application’s security and availability. As a consequence, organizations must properly identify and manage these risks to limit any repercussions on the SaaS application.

Supply Chain Attacks

The data at risk in supply chain attacks on SaaS belongs to end-users and companies. These attacks take advantage of vulnerabilities in the application’s development or delivery processes, possibly jeopardizing data integrity. End users are those who are using the application, whereas app maintainers are in charge of its development and dissemination. In SaaS, this could compromise the development or distribution process of the application, introducing malicious code or compromising application integrity, leading to potential data breaches or unauthorized access to data owned by organizations.

Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerabilities are security flaws in software that attackers exploit before a patch is released, particularly in SaaS environments. These vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or service disruptions, necessitating timely patching and proactive security measures to mitigate these risks.

Insufficient Due Diligence

Insufficient due diligence refers to inadequate assessment and understanding of SaaS providers or an organization’s security practices, leading to potential risks and unknowingly exposing organizations to security vulnerabilities, compliance issues, or operational challenges associated with the chosen SaaS solutions.

Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with industry regulations and data protection laws can lead to legal consequences and compromise the security of sensitive data in SaaS applications. As a result, organizations must be diligent when choosing and implementing SaaS security solutions that prioritize adherence to existing standards and regulations, ensuring both legal compliance and thorough data protection.

Unclear Responsibilities

Inadequate security responsibilities between SaaS providers and users can lead to gaps in security safeguards and misconceptions, resulting in ineffective incident response. Establish and clarify roles and responsibilities for effective security management.

Insecure Storage

Data storage security concerns include inadequate encryption, insufficient access controls, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. These issues can lead to unauthorized access, breaches, and compliance violations. To mitigate these risks, implement robust encryption and access controls.

Disaster Responsibility

In SaaS providers and users, a lack of explicit disaster recovery and business continuity planning can lead to disruptions such as data loss, protracted downtime, and service outages, necessitating the adoption of collaborative disaster recovery plans to mitigate these risks.

SaaS Security Best Practices

Following these SaaS best practices together leads to a strong and resilient security posture, protecting data, apps, and infrastructure inside the SaaS ecosystem.

Identify Your Shared Responsibility Model

Recognize the shared responsibility paradigm, which recognizes the separation of security duties between the SaaS provider and the user. This acknowledgment clarifies who is in charge of safeguarding certain components of the SaaS application and infrastructure.

Inquire About Your Cloud Provider’s Security in Depth

Prioritize security discussions with your SaaS supplier, inquiring about their security procedures, methods, and safeguards. This inquiry guarantees that the supplier adheres to industry best practices and satisfies your organization’s security standards.

Install a Solution for Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Implement an IAM system to manage user identities and regulate access to the SaaS application. By adhering to the concept of least privilege, this technique guarantees that users have adequate permissions, hence increasing security.

Educate Staff

Invest in regular staff education to enhance understanding of best practices in security, risks, and the organization’s security policy. Employee education is critical for sustaining a security-conscious culture and avoiding human-related security threats.

Create & Implement Cloud Security Policies

Create and implement comprehensive cloud security rules tailored to your SaaS environment. To guide secure practices within the firm, these rules should encompass data processing, access restrictions, authentication, and other security issues.

Use Endpoint Security

Establish endpoint security measures to protect devices that connect to the SaaS application. This includes installing antivirus software and endpoint protection technologies, as well as verifying that devices follow security regulations.

Encrypt Data in Transit & at Rest

Use encryption technologies to safeguard data both in transit and at rest. Encryption protects sensitive data by preventing unwanted access and maintaining data confidentiality.

Use Intrusion Detection & Prevention Software

To detect and prevent possible security risks, use intrusion detection and prevention systems to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. These software solutions aid in the early detection and mitigation of security problems.

Check Your Compliance Needs Again

Review and reassess your compliance needs on a regular basis to verify that the SaaS environment complies with applicable legislation and standards. This technique aids in the maintenance of legal and regulatory compliance.

Think About a CASB or Cloud Security Solution

Consider deploying a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) or another cloud security solution to provide levels of protection, visibility, and control over data and user actions in the SaaS environment.

Perform Audits, Penetration Testing, & Vulnerability Testing

Regular audits, penetration testing, and vulnerability testing should be performed to discover and resolve potential security flaws in the SaaS application and infrastructure. This proactive strategy improves overall security.

Enable & Monitor Security Logs

To track user activity, system events, and possible security issues, enable and regularly monitor security logs. Monitoring security logs improves visibility and aids in the discovery and response to security risks.

Recognize & Correct Misconfigurations

Assess and rectify misconfigurations in the SaaS environment on a regular basis to eliminate any security issues. Recognizing and correcting misconfigurations helps to keep an infrastructure safe and well-configured.

Bottom Line: IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS Security

IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are cloud services that offer different security models. IaaS involves organizations securing the entire infrastructure, including operating systems, applications, and data, while PaaS involves a shared responsibility model where the provider manages the infrastructure and users focus on application development. Security concerns in PaaS include application vulnerabilities, data security, and identity management. SaaS shifts security responsibility to the provider, focusing on application security, data protection, and access controls.

Organizations must proactively address security concerns through best practices, compliance adherence, and understanding the shared responsibility model inherent in each cloud service category.

The post IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS Security: Which Is Most Secure? appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

Other major flaws appeared in the NGINX Ingress Controller for Kubernetes, Atlassian Confluence Data Center and Server, and Apache ActiveMQ — and the latter two have already been targeted in ransomware attacks.

QNAP vulnerabilities and npm package supply chain attacks also made our list this week, plus a look at the new CVSS v4.0 vulnerability scoring system released last week.

Together, the staggering list of vulnerabilities underscore the need for strong patch and vulnerability management practices — as well as strong cyber vigilance in general.

Oct. 30, 2023

NGINX Ingress Controller for Kubernetes Flaws Can Lead to Credential Theft

Type of Attack: Path sanitization bypass and injection vulnerabilities discovered in the NGINX Ingress controller can allow for credential theft, arbitrary command execution, and critical data access.

The Problem: Three flaws discovered by the Kubernetes security community carry CVSS severity scores of 7.6 to 8.8:

1. CVE-2022-4886 (Path Sanitization Bypass): This 8.8-level vulnerability involves a lack of validation, which allows attackers to steal Kubernetes API credentials from the ingress controller, compromise the authentication process by modifying settings, and gain access to internal files including service account tokens.
2. CVE-2023-5043 (Annotation Injection, CVSS score 7.6): Ingress-nginx annotation injection allows the execution of arbitrary commands. Attackers can introduce malicious annotations into the ingress controller process, possibly executing unauthorized instructions.
3. CVE-2023-5044 (Code Injection): This CVSS score 7.6 flaw allows attackers to use the “nginx.ingress.kubernetes.io/permanent-redirect” annotation to inject code into the ingress controller process, which could lead to unauthorized access to critical data.

Ingress controllers are an appealing target for attackers because of their high privilege scope and vulnerability to external traffic.

The Fix: The maintainers of the NGINX Ingress controller have implemented critical fixes and mitigations. v1.9.0 will allow the issues to be mitigated. Ingress Administrators should set the –enable-annotation-validation flag to enforce restrictions on the contents of ingress-nginx annotation fields for CVE-2023-5043 and CVE-2023-5044, while for CVE-2022-4886, for the objects field pathType that defines proxy behavior, admins should enable Exact and Prefix validation by default.

See the Best Container & Kubernetes Security Solutions & Tools

Oct. 31, 2023

Atlassian Warns of Critical Confluence Flaw Leading to Data Loss

Type of attack: CVE-2023-22518 is an incorrect authorization vulnerability that affects all versions of Atlassian’s Confluence Data Center and Confluence Server software.

The problem: The 9.1 severity flaw could allow unauthenticated attackers to delete data. Although the weakness does not undermine confidentiality or allow for data exfiltration, it does represent a serious threat to the integrity of impacted systems. Confluence instances that are available to the general public are particularly susceptible.

Threat actors might use the issue to cause data loss, interrupt operations, and potentially compromise important information. Given the ease with which these vulnerabilities might be exploited, rapid action is required to prevent broad assaults on both government and commercial networks.

Atlassian updated its advisory on Nov. 3 to report that the vulnerability is being actively exploited, which Rapid7 said includes ransomware attacks.

The fix: Atlassian resolved the vulnerability in Confluence Data Center and Server versions 7.19.16, 8.3.4, 8.4.4, 8.5.3, and 8.6.1 and urged admins to upgrade as soon as possible.

If immediate patching isn’t possible for your Confluence instances, you can block known attack pathways by modifying the /<confluence-install-dir>/confluence/WEB-INF/web.xml file as detailed in the advisory, specifically block access to the following endpoints:

• /json/setup-restore.action
• /json/setup-restore-local.action
• /json/setup-restore-progress.action

Atlassian has been hit by a number of security vulnerabilities in recent months.

Nov. 1, 2023

HelloKitty Ransomware Exploiting Apache ActiveMQ Flaw

Type of attack: Apache ActiveMQ remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-46604 with a CVSS v3 score of 10.0.

The problem: A security problem in Apache ActiveMQ lets attackers control systems remotely, making them highly vulnerable. Even though a security fix has been available since October 25, many internet-exposed servers are still at risk, and a number of security researchers have reported ransomware attacks exploiting the vulnerability.

The attackers use files disguised as PNG images to spread HelloKitty ransomware, among other attacks. These files contain a .NET program that loads another .NET component named EncDLL, which is in charge of stopping certain processes, locking files, and adding a “.locked” extension to them.

The fix: To fix this critical security problem, administrators must deploy the available Apache security upgrades as soon as possible. Vulnerable versions from 5.15 to 5.18, including Legacy OpenWire Module versions, can be addressed by upgrading to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3.

New CVSS 4.0 vulnerability severity rating standard released

Eight years after the release of CVSS v3.0, the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) has released CVSS v4.0, the latest version of its Common Vulnerability Scoring System standard. CVSS v4.0 improves granularity, eliminates score uncertainty, and simplifies threat metrics.

Additional vulnerability assessment metrics have been added, including Automatable (wormable), Recovery (resilience), Value Density, Vulnerability Response Effort, and Provider Urgency. CVSS v4.0 also adds Supplemental and Environmental safety measurements and values relevant to operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), and Internet of Things (IoT) contexts.

New nomenclature has been added to stress that CVSS is more than the Base score:

• CVSS-B: CVSS Base Score
• CVSS-BT: CVSS Base + Threat Score
• CVSS-BE: CVSS Base + Environmental Score
• CVSS-BTE: CVSS Base + Threat + Environmental Score

Nov. 2, 2023

34 Windows Drivers Cloud Allow Device Takeover

Type of attack: 34 vulnerable Windows Driver Model (WDM) and Windows Driver Frameworks (WDF) drivers cloud allow complete device control.

The problem: VMware Carbon Black researchers detailed the findings in a blog post. Non-privileged threat actors can exploit these drivers to gain complete device control, execute arbitrary code, modify firmware, and escalate operating system privileges, posing a significant security risk.

Vulnerable drivers like AODDriver.sys, IoAccess.sys, and PDFWKRNL.sys (CVE-2023-20598) allow unauthorized access to critical system components and kernel memory access. Twelve drivers can subvert security mechanisms, while seven enable firmware erasure in SPI flash memory, rendering the system unbootable. Certain WDF drivers can be weaponized by privileged threat actors in a Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attack.

The fix: To address this issue, thorough action is required:

1. Driver Patching: Developers and manufacturers of affected drivers must deliver patches and upgrades as soon as possible to address the reported vulnerabilities. Patching is critical for avoiding potential exploitation and device compromise.
2. Enhanced Security Measures: End users and organizations should ensure that their systems are equipped with up-to-date security software and methods that can identify and neutralize efforts to exploit these vulnerabilities. Regular system upgrades and security audits are essential for maintaining strong defenses.
3. Security Awareness and Training: Educating and training users, particularly those in businesses, on the hazards associated with vulnerable drivers, as well as the significance of upgrading their systems, can help to avoid unintended exploitation. A more proactive approach to system security might result from increased awareness.
4. Collaboration: Cybersecurity groups, organizations, and industry stakeholders must work together to exchange knowledge and best practices in order to develop a collective defense against comparable threats. Collaborative initiatives improve the digital ecosystem’s overall resilience.

See the top antivirus software and EDR solutions

New Microsoft Exchange zero-day vulnerabilities enable RCE and data theft attacks

Type of attack: Microsoft Exchange has been hit by four zero-day vulnerabilities, allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive information, as reported by Trend Micro’s Zero Day Initiative.

The problem: ZDI-23-1578, ZDI-23-1579, ZDI-23-1580, and ZDI-23-1581 are vulnerabilities in Exchange’s code that include inappropriate validation of user input and URIs. Exploiting these vulnerabilities may result in remote code execution or unauthorized access to sensitive data. While needing authentication for exploitation decreases their severity, fraudsters may access Exchange credentials in a variety of ways, making these vulnerabilities substantial security threats.

The fix: After analyzing the complaints, Microsoft responded that the vulnerabilities had either been fixed or did not satisfy the threshold for immediate service based on their severity categorization rules. The company intends to consider fixing these in future product versions and upgrades as needed. ZDI suggests limiting contact with Exchange applications as a mitigating measure, although this may cause interruptions for organizations. If account credentials are hacked, adding multi-factor authentication can prevent unwanted access.

48 Malicious npm Packages Install Reverse Shells on Developer Systems

Type of Attack: Reported by Phylum researchers, 48 misleading npm packages containing malicious JavaScript code have been discovered installing reverse shells on developer systems, posing a significant threat to developers who unknowingly include these packages in their projects.

The Problem: The authentic appearance of these npm packages makes them hard to recognize, leading developers to unknowingly install compromised packages. Once integrated, these packages execute code that allows unauthorized remote access, compromising the system’s security. The use of obfuscation techniques complicates detection, making it challenging to identify and counteract the threat promptly.

The Fix: Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach to enhance open source ecosystem security:

• Enhanced Package Review: Platforms such as npm need rigorous checks to identify suspicious packages before publication. Automated tools can flag potential threats, aiding in the early detection of malicious content.
• Dependency Trust and Verification: Developers should exercise caution when adding dependencies, and relying on trusted sources. Tools ensuring package integrity before installation enhance security.
• Community Vigilance: Active community participation is essential. Collaboration among developers, security experts, and platform maintainers leads to swift detection and removal of malicious content.
• Security Education: Educating developers about third-party package risks and promoting secure coding practices is vital. It reduces the likelihood of falling victim to such attacks, ensuring the software supply chain’s integrity and security.

See the Top Application Security Tools & Software

Nov. 4, 2023

QNAP Warns About Major Command Injection Problems in QTS OS and Applications

Type of attack: CVE-2023-23368 and CVE-2023-23369 could allow remote attackers to execute instructions over the network, posing a serious security risk.

The problem: The flaws affect several versions of the QTS operating system, QuTS hero, and QuTScloud. Exploiting these issues might result in unauthorized command execution, exposing NAS systems to data theft, encryption, or ransomware attacks. The potential impact on sensitive data integrity is substantial given the nature of NAS devices as data storage systems.

The fix: QNAP Systems has patched the vulnerabilities and reported the fixed versions in its advisories (CVE-2023-23368 and CVE-2023-23369). Administrators should upgrade their systems as soon as possible.

Last week’s vulnerability roundup: Weekly Vulnerability Recap – October 30, 2023 – Citrix & Cisco Haunted by Vulnerabilities

The post Weekly Vulnerability Recap – November 6, 2023 – Windows Drivers and Exchange Flaws appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

We’ll go over malware removal tools and steps, and offer some tips to keep your devices from getting reinfected. These steps will work in most cases, but if you’ve been hit by ransomware, see our guides to ransomware decryption, removal and recovery.

Confirming Your Device is Infected With Malware

You want to start by confirming that your device is infected with malware and determine what kind of malicious infection you’re facing. We’ll go over the indicators of an attack below, but here’s a graphic summarizing what to look for:

Slowed System Performance

One symptom of malware is if your device suddenly becomes noticeably more sluggish than normal, taking longer to open apps or respond to commands. Malicious software frequently uses a large percentage of your device’s resources, resulting in visible decline in performance.

You Can’t Access the Control Panel

Malware may block your access to the control panel or other system settings in some instances. If you discover that you are unable to access these critical functions, this might be an indication of a malware infestation preventing you from making any changes to regain control of your machine.

Unexpected Crashes

If you notice frequent and unexpected system crashes or application failures that interfere with your device’s usual operation, there’s a possibility that your device is infected. Frequent freezes can be a sign that something is amiss too.

Strange Pop-Up Window Messages

Unwanted pop-up advertisements or messages that display even while you are not surfing the internet might indicate the presence of adware or other types of malware. These pop-ups may ask you to install malicious software or disclose personal information.

Unusually High Network Activity

If you see an increase in network activity, especially when you are not actively using the internet, this might indicate that malware is transmitting or receiving data from your device. Monitoring your network can help you detect any suspicious activity.

Your Antivirus is Randomly Disabled

Malware often disables antivirus software, leaving your device open to further infection. If you discover that your antivirus or security software has been turned off without your knowledge, this might be an indication of malware attacking your system.

Missing or Corrupted Programs

Malware can cause your installed programs to disappear, fail to launch, or display errors. It might be to blame if you find programs missing or behaving strangely.

Programs Accessing the Internet Without Permission

If you discover strange apps, or applications accessing the internet without your consent, malware may be using connections to download further harmful files or communicate sensitive data to external (“command and control”) servers.

Being alert and recognizing when your machine suddenly changes operating patterns could give you an early warning sign that your device is compromised with malware. If you suspect malware, you must act quickly, using dependable antivirus software and following correct removal procedures to restore your digital environment.

Also read:

• 19 Different Types of Malware Attacks: Examples & Defenses
• Best Antivirus Software Solutions

How to Remove Malware on Windows (PC)

Removing malware from a Windows PC requires a systematic approach to ensure the malicious software is eradicated. Here’s a step-by-step guide to assist you in eliminating malware from your Windows computer.

1. Disconnect from the Internet

Unplugging your computer from the internet ensures that the malware cannot communicate with its source or download additional malicious components. Cutting off its access is the first line of defense.

2. Enter Safe Mode

Safe Mode boots your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services, preventing most types of malware from running. It allows you to troubleshoot and remove the malware without interference from active malicious processes.

• Click on the Windows logo
• Type in Settings in the search bar and click on the result
• Click on Updates & Security
• Under Advanced Startup, choose Restart Now
• Once your device has restarted, click on the following: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart

Images from Microsoft

3. Use Antivirus or Anti-Malware Software

Antivirus and anti-malware software is designed to detect, quarantine, and remove malicious programs. They employ extensive databases of known malware signatures and advanced heuristics to identify suspicious behavior, ensuring a thorough scan of your system. Hopefully starting in Safe Mode will allow your AV software to work; just scan and let it do its job.

4. Use Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a free antivirus program integrated into newer Windows versions (and it’s pretty good, we might add). Once activated (hopefully you did that when you first got your PC), it continuously monitors your system for malware threats. It offers real-time protection, scanning downloads, attachments, and programs as they run, providing an additional layer of security. Windows also has a built-in firewall and other security features too; we recommend using them if you don’t have paid security software installed.

Here’s how to access Windows Defender:

• In the bottom left corner of the screen, click the Windows logo. The Start screen will appear.
• To open the application, scroll down and choose Windows Security.
• Check the Windows Security panel to see if your machine has an antivirus product installed and functioning.
  • Green checkmark: An antivirus product is installed and running on your computer. Because Windows Defender protects your computer, you do not need to enable it.
  • No checkmark: There is no antivirus on your machine, and Windows Defender is not activated. Please continue to the following steps to enable Windows Defender and keep your computer protected.
• As indicated, select Virus & threat protection.
• Then click the Virus & Threat Protection button.
• Enable real-time protection.

Select the Windows Defender Offline scan option, then click Scan now. With any luck, it will be able to scan and remove any malware. Regardless of the success of that, it’s a good idea to take a manual look at the processes running on your machine.

5. Manually Uninstall Suspicious Programs

Investigate the list of installed programs. Malware often disguises itself as seemingly legitimate software. Look for programs with unfamiliar names or publishers and uninstall them. Be careful to avoid removing essential system files. You may also be able to hit Ctrl-Alt-Del and use Task Manager to look for and shut down any suspicious processes running on your machine.

• Start by selecting the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of your screen. Type “Control Panel” into the search field that displays and choose it from the results.
• Navigate to the “Programs” area of the Control Panel. To proceed, choose “Uninstall a program.”
• You may arrange the list by installation date if you believe that a recently installed program is causing the problem. To locate any newly added apps that may be suspicious, look in the “Installed on” column.
• Simply choose the application(s) you want to uninstall and then click the “Uninstall” button. You may also right-click on the application and select “Uninstall” from the context menu.

6. Remove Temporary Files

Temporary files can harbor malware. Disk Cleanup not only frees up disk space but also removes potentially malicious temporary files, ensuring that malware hiding in these locations is eradicated.

Hit the Windows button and R > type %temp% > delete all files in this destination > empty your recycling bin

7. Restore Your System

System Restore allows you to revert your system files and settings to a previous point in time. If your computer was functioning normally before the malware infection, restoring it to a state before the infection occurred can effectively remove the malware.

8. Update Your Software

Malware often exploits vulnerabilities in outdated software. Regularly updating your operating system, browsers, and other software ensures that you have the latest security patches, reducing the risk of malware attacks.

9. Reset Browsers

Malware frequently alters browser settings, injecting unwanted extensions or changing the homepage. Resetting your browsers to default settings removes these changes, ensuring a clean and secure browsing environment.

10. Educate Yourself

Knowledge is a powerful defense against malware. Stay informed about the latest threats, phishing techniques, and best practices for online safety. Being aware of potential risks empowers you to recognize and avoid them effectively. For employees, security training programs are a very good idea.

How to Remove Malware on Mac Devices

To ensure your system is completely clean, removing malware from your Mac requires a number of actions. Here’s a complete guide to removing malware from your Mac.

1. Disconnect from the Internet

Malware often relies on the internet to spread or communicate with its control server. By disconnecting from the internet, you prevent the malware from further infecting your system or sending data back to its source.

2. Enter Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode in macOS that loads only essential system software. Booting into Safe Mode can prevent certain types of malware from loading, making it easier to remove them.

• Click on the Apple logo on the upper left side of your screen.
• Choose About this Mac.
• Identify if your Mac is Apple Silicon or Intel-Based.

For Silicon Macbooks

• Turn off your Macbook. If it’s necessary, do a hard shutdown by pressing the power button until all lights are out.
• Press and hold the power button and let go once you see the loading start up screen.
• Select the startup disk.
• Hold the Shift button and select Continue in Safe Mode.
• To exit Safe Mode, restart your Macbook.

For Intel Macbooks

• Restart your Mac.
• Immediately press and hold the Shift key.
• Log on to your Mac by entering your device password. Then you can use your Mac in safe mode.
• To exit Safe Mode, restart your Macbook.

3. Use Activity Monitor

Activity Monitor is a built-in utility on macOS that shows you all the processes running on your Mac. By using it, you can identify suspicious processes or applications that might be malware and terminate them.

Open Finder > “Applications” > “Utilities” > “Activity Monitor” > “Application” > “Quit”

4. Remove Malware from Login Items

Malware often adds itself to your login items so that it starts running automatically when you log in. Check your login items in System Preferences > Users & Groups and remove any suspicious or unknown applications from the list.

5. Start Malware Scanning

Use reliable antivirus or anti-malware software to perform a thorough scan of your system. Make sure the software is up-to-date to detect the latest malware threats.

6. Check Browser Homepage

Malware can change your browser’s homepage without your consent. Reset your browser settings to default and ensure that your homepage and search engine haven’t been hijacked by malware.

7. Delete Cache

Malware can hide in your system or browser’s cache. Clear your cache to remove any potentially infected files.

Clear Browser Cache

Safari

• Open Safari.
• Click on “Safari” in the top menu and select “Preferences.”
• Go to the “Privacy” tab.
• Click on “Manage Website Data.”
• Click “Remove All” to delete all website data, or select specific websites and click “Remove” to delete data from specific sites.

Google Chrome

• Open Chrome.
• Click on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
• Select “Settings.”
• Scroll down and click on “Privacy and security” in the left menu.
• Under “Privacy and security,” click on “Clear browsing data.”
• Select “Cached images and files” and any other data you want to delete.
• Click “Clear data.”

Mozilla Firefox

• Open Firefox.
• Click on the three-line menu in the upper right corner.
• Select “Options.”
• In the left menu, click on “Privacy & Security.”
• Scroll down to the “Cookies and Site Data” section.
• Click “Clear Data.”
• Check “Cached Web Content” and click “Clear.”

Clear System and User Cache Files

Using Finder

• In Finder, click on “Go” in the top menu and select “Go to Folder…”
• Enter the following path: ~/Library/Caches
• Delete the contents of the “Caches” folder. Be careful not to delete system-critical files.

Using Finder

• Go to ~/Library/Caches (same as in the first step).
• Delete the contents of the “Caches” folder. These are user-specific cache files.

8. Uninstall Suspicious Applications

Go through your Applications folder and uninstall any applications that you don’t remember installing or that seem suspicious. Drag the unwanted app to the Trash and empty the Trash to completely remove it from your system.

9. Remove Pop-Up Ads

Pop-up ads are often a result of adware, a type of malware. Clean up your browser extensions or add-ons to remove any adware-related extensions. Also, make sure your browser settings do not allow pop-ups.

10. Remove Adware and Malware from Extensions

Adware and malware can install malicious browser extensions without your knowledge. Go to your browser’s extension or add-on manager and remove any suspicious or unfamiliar extensions. Ensure you only keep the ones you trust and recognize.

Can You Use Malware Removal Tools?

Malware removal tools are critical in protecting your computer from a wide range of cyber threats. Installing a trustworthy malware cleanup application on your Mac or Windows computer is critical for keeping a safe working environment. Combined with real-time protection and regular updates, these tools can dramatically improve your entire cybersecurity posture.

There are free malware removal tools available from well known names like Avast and Malwarebytes; we cover these tools in our guide to rootkit scanner and removal tools, including some for Linux too.

But with the free protections offered in Windows and MacOS, and free firewall options too, there’s no excuse not to have good security on your devices. And activate your router’s security features too. Malware protection is a whole lot simpler than malware removal, and it can be had for free too. And use your devices in non-administrator accounts whenever possible to remove some of the biggest opportunities for malware.

Mobile Device Security

A word on mobile malware: There really aren’t any good free solutions for Android devices, so we highly recommend paying for one. And reboot your mobile devices daily to wipe out any temporary malware that may be residing there. iPhone users who access sensitive data may want to use lockdown mode, and always restrict apps as much as you possibly can.

For more on Windows, Mac and mobile device security, read How to Prevent Malware: 15 Best Practices for Malware Prevention.

Bottom Line: Removing Malware Is Not As Hard As You Think

Removing malware from Mac and PC systems is not as difficult as it seems due to several factors. There are accessible antivirus and anti-malware tools available with user-friendly interfaces, which make it easier to scan and remove malware. Regular software updates enhance the system’s ability to detect and remove malware, while comprehensive malware databases and machine learning help identify malicious files.

Both Mac and PC systems offer safe mode options, allowing users to boot their computers with minimal drivers and processes, simplifying malware diagnosis and removal. A lot of online support communities provide expert advice and step-by-step guides from others who have faced similar malware issues.

Preventing malware through safe browsing habits and downloading software from official app stores or trusted sources also reduces the risk of malware. By staying informed and using reliable antivirus and antimalware tools, you can effectively remove malware from computer systems — if not avoid it entirely.

The post How to Remove Malware: Removal Steps for Windows & Mac appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

Robust malware prevention measures are critically important for protecting personal information, financial records, and even cherished memories. The stakes are even higher for businesses, government and other organizations, as successful attacks can be devastating to operations and sensitive data. Here are 15 important controls and best practices for preventing malware.

If you’ve been hit by malware and are looking for help, see How to Remove Malware: Removal Steps for Windows & Mac.

1. Exercise Caution with Emails

The first two items on this list could be lumped together with a single warning: Don’t click. About 90% of cyber attacks begin with a phishing email, text or malicious link, so training users not to click on anything they’re not sure about could have the highest return on investment (ROI) of any prevention technique — if those training efforts are successful and reinforced. One bit of good news: Even widely used email services like Gmail have gotten much better at filtering out spam and malicious email, and businesses have a range of email security tools that can help.

• Be Alert to Phishing: Develop a sharp eye for phishing emails. Scrutinize for signs like misspellings, generic greetings, and suspicious attachments or links. Don’t click on anything you’re unsure of.
• Hover for Safety: Hover your mouse over links to preview URLs before clicking. This simple action helps identify genuine links from potential threats. And check who the email is from and other contextual clues to be doubly certain. Paranoia is a very good thing with web security in general.

2. Be Careful with Downloads

Downloads are one of the surest ways to introduce malware into your system. As with phishing emails, the best defense is a well-trained, alert user.

• Look for Reliable Sources: Download software only from reputable sources and official websites. Avoid third-party platforms that might disguise malware as legitimate software. Unfortunately even Google ads can be malicious, so the safest approach is always download from the most direct source possible, like a software company’s website or an open source project page.
• Watch File Extensions: Exercise caution with file extensions; avoid files with suspicious extensions like .exe or .bat, especially from unfamiliar sources. In the wrong hands, even an Office doc can be dangerous, so always know the source of any download. And heed browser and search result warnings — if there’s a warning that something is unsafe, exercise extreme caution.

Also read: 19 Different Types of Malware Attacks: Examples & Defenses

3. Use Caution with Ads and Websites

Website pop-ups and online advertising can be vectors for malware, phishing attempts, and other harmful actions. It is important to exercise caution while engaging with them — and with unknown websites in general — to keep from becoming a victim of fraud or malware.

• Utilize Ad Blockers: Shield yourself from potentially malicious ads by using ad-blocking software. This reduces exposure to deceptive ads designed to deliver malware.
• Avoid Clickbait: Exercise skepticism toward sensationalized content. Avoid clickbait; these enticing traps can sometimes hide malware.
• Share Info Selectively: Be careful about what websites you visit, and be even more careful about which websites you share personal or financial information with.

4. Use Antivirus Software

Antivirus software and EDR tools are critically important controls for consumers and businesses, respectively. Windows and Mac devices come with pretty good built-in antivirus software; activate it if you’re not using a paid solution from another security company.

• Initiate Regular Scans: Antivirus and endpoint security tools should be set to routinely scan your system with full and quick scans. These scans can detect and eliminate hidden malware.
• Activate Real-Time Protection: Ensure real-time protection is active, continuously monitoring your system and blocking any malware intrusion attempts instantly.

5. Enable Firewall Protection

Your firewall, working as the primary filter, protects your network from both inbound and outgoing threats. Mac and Windows have their own built-in firewalls, and home routers and antivirus subscriptions frequently include them also.

• Control Inbound and Outbound Traffic: Configuring firewall rules to manage both incoming and outgoing traffic is an important defense against cyber threats, preventing unauthorized access and malicious software from stealing data. Secure practices like robust admin passwords and advanced encryption ensure control over traffic, safeguarding personal information and increasing the odds of a secure online experience.

6. Secure Your Network

Network security is a difficult thing for businesses — we offer a comprehensive guide to get you started there. Fortunately it’s a little bit easier for home users. Proper home router practices, such as enabling encryption settings and providing strong default admin passwords, will dramatically improve network security. Your router may also have a built-in firewall; activate it if you do.

• Strengthen Router Security: Enhance your router’s security by changing default login credentials. Regularly update router firmware to patch vulnerabilities and close potential avenues of attack.
• Isolate Guest Devices: Establish a separate guest network to isolate devices, protecting your main network from potential threats originating from guest devices.

7. Keep Software Updated

Patch management is the practice of regularly updating your software. Software updates, like Microsoft’s monthly Patch Tuesday, often contain important security fixes, so install all updates promptly. Updates come in many forms, such as drivers, application and operating system updates, so stay alert for notifications and update when you get them and routinely check to make sure you have the most recent software installed on your devices.

• Stay Updated: Stay proactive in safeguarding your system by consistently checking for system and software updates through effective patch management in your security routine.
• Automate Updates: Automate updates where possible to receive crucial security patches without manual intervention.

8. Create Strong, Unique Passwords

Creating strong, one-of-a-kind passwords acts as a strong defense to keep your accounts safe. Some password managers offer free versions if you need help.

• Craft Complex Passwords: Generate passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. This creates a robust shield against brute force attacks. Another common practice is stringing together four random words.
• Rotate for Security: Enhance security by changing passwords regularly, particularly for sensitive accounts, and don’t reuse passwords across accounts. Frequent rotation denies hackers a static entry point. Watch for breach notifications from companies you have accounts with so you’ll know whatever other defensive moves you need to make too.

9. Implement Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

Adding Multi-factor authentication (MFA) goes beyond passwords, using additional verification measures like a text message or authenticator app to safeguard your accounts.

• Layered Authentication: Implementing 2FA or MFA wherever you can strengthens your defenses by integrating varied methods such as SMS codes, authentication applications, hardware tokens, biometric authentication and passkeys, adding extra barriers against illegal access.

10. Regularly Back Up Your Data

Regular encrypted backups can help keep important data safe from data loss or ransomware. Ideally, that backup should be kept offline and “immutable” to prevent ransomware attackers from accessing it, a level of protection that’s difficult to obtain.

• Scheduled Backups: Have a regular, fixed schedule for backing up your data. This ensures your critical files are up-to-date, minimizing potential loss in case of a cyber attack.
• Encrypt Data: If using cloud backup services, enable data encryption during transit and storage. This added layer of security increases your data’s confidentiality.

11. Secure Mobile Devices

Your mobile phone is not to be overlooked as a source of security vulnerabilities, and many of these best practices apply to our mobile devices too. Most important is antivirus software: Free versions with restricted features offer little for mobile phones, so if you care about the information on your phone, invest in a paid antivirus solution for your device. This is mainly for Android devices; the most security conscious iPhone users should consider lockdown mode. Businesses have more options than consumers here, including mobile device management (MDM), access control and access management.

• Restrict App Permissions: Take control of your mobile device’s security by reviewing and limiting app permissions, denying unnecessary access and removing unused apps.
• Source from Official App Stores: Download apps exclusively from official app stores. Android users should disable installations from unknown sources, ensuring app authenticity. These aren’t perfect solutions, however, so source from known app developers wherever possible and beware look-alikes or unofficial channels.

12. Regularly Monitor Accounts

Account monitoring is a critical practice. If you ever get hacked and get offered free identity monitoring by the company that failed to protect your data, take it and pay attention to any warnings it sends you. You should keep your eye on all of your accounts anyway, and use multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions might be something for businesses to consider.

• Vigilant Financial Oversight: Safeguard your finances by regularly reviewing bank and credit card statements. Promptly report any unauthorized transactions, thwarting potential financial losses.
• Activate Account Alerts: Harness the power of account alerts; set up notifications for unusual activities. Many financial institutions offer alerts for transactions exceeding specific thresholds, keeping you informed and secure.

13. Disable Unnecessary Processes

Disabling or uninstalling unnecessary processes and services can limit attack paths such as those hackers might use in Living off the Land (LOTL) attacks. Businesses may be able to accomplish more here, but there are things home users can do too, like limiting what loads on startup or even disabling some ports in the case of more advanced users, steps that can help device performance too.

• Minimize Attack Paths: Disabling unused services, ports, and protocols strengthens defenses and creates a more resilient digital space capable of withstanding cyber threats.
• Delete Unused Apps: This is something everyone can do — if you don’t use it and don’t need it, delete it. This will help improve your data privacy too.
• Use a Non-admin Account for Daily Tasks: You need an admin account to update your operating system, but you don’t need that level of access every day. Consider surfing the web under a user or guest account to limit potential damage from hackers and malware. It’s another way to shut down unnecessary processes — some of the most dangerous ones, in fact.

14. Conduct Regular Security Audits

This one may apply more to businesses, although users should regular consider what’s on their devices and whether they’re up to date with the latest fixes. Regular security audits help maintain a strong cyber security posture for organizations. They aid in identifying flaws, ensuring regulatory compliance and mitigating risks, improving incident response, and fostering customer and partner confidence. Vulnerability assessments and vulnerability scans help in identifying vulnerabilities, allowing for early repair and decreasing a cyber attacker’s window of opportunity.

• Proactive Vulnerability Scanning: Actively seek out system weaknesses using reputable vulnerability scanning tools and prioritize fixes based on risk.

15. Stay Informed and Educate Others

Whether consumer or business, you want to stay on top of vulnerabilities and best practices, and you want your employees to do the same. It is critical to provide staff with a thorough grasp of cybersecurity risks in order to strengthen the company’s cyber defenses. Regular training, seminars, quizzes and even an occasional test email not only check your workforce’s ability to detect suspicious cyber occurrences, but also foster a watchful business culture. Your staff will become proactive guardians, actively contributing to a robust and safe digital environment, if you engage in continual learning and awareness.

• Stay Updated: Remain informed about the latest cybersecurity threats. Knowledge is your best defense; educate yourself and others about new scams and phishing techniques.
• Encourage Reporting: Foster a culture of security by urging others to report suspicious emails or links. Reporting helps in early detection and prevention of potential threats.

Bottom Line: Malware Prevention Requires Vigilance

Staying on top of cybersecurity risks requires an investment of time and at least a modest amount of money, but the alternative could be a whole lot of work cleaning up major problems, and possible financial and data loss too.

Implementing strong malware prevention measures is not just a personal responsibility but also a strategic imperative for businesses. These practices ensure the safety of personal information, financial assets, and critically important data. For businesses, these practices directly impact the bottom line, as malware attacks can disrupt operations, lead to costly downtime, and damage customer trust.

Robust malware prevention measures can also be an important legal and regulatory compliance defense, showing you made a good-faith effort even in cases where a cyber attack got past your defenses. With the average cyber attack costing businesses around $4 million these days, a strong cybersecurity posture pays for itself rather quickly.

Read next: How to Prevent Data Breaches: Data Breach Prevention Tips

The post How to Prevent Malware: 15 Best Practices for Malware Prevention appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

Malware typically enters computer systems through malicious emails, attachments, downloads, links, and ads, often taking advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities and inadequate security defenses. We’ll discuss 19 different types of malware in-depth, including examples of cyber attacks that used them and the steps you need to take to protect against each, followed by some general malware protections for businesses and individuals. Below is a chart summarizing each malware type, with a link to a deeper discussion below.

If you’ve been hit by malware and are looking for help, see How to Remove Malware: Removal Steps for Windows & Mac.

Adware

Adware is a type of malware that downloads or displays advertisements to the user interface. Rather than stealing data, adware is more of an irritant, forcing users to see unwanted ads. Many users are familiar with adware in the form of unclosable browser pop-ups. Users sometimes unknowingly infect themselves with adware installed by default when they download and install other applications.

Risks of Adware Attacks

Adware not only shows unwanted advertisements but may also track user activity in great detail and create backdoors and other windows for future attacks. It can gather information about surfing behavior, search history, and even personal information. This data is frequently sold to advertisers, resulting in a loss of privacy and the possibility of targeted fraud.

How To Defend Against Adware

Install an antivirus solution that includes anti-adware capabilities. Enable ad blockers and disable pop-ups on your browsers, and pay close attention to the installation process when installing new software, making sure to un-select any boxes that will install additional software by default. And a somewhat different category: Be careful with online ads too, as malvertising campaigns have appeared in even the best known ad networks like Google. Adware is perhaps more of a mobile malware issue these days, but malvertising has been on the rise across the board. Regardless of trends, always be sure to only download from or visit known entities.

Real Examples of Adware Attacks

While there are hundreds of different types of adware, some of the most prevalent adware attacks include Fireball, Appearch, DollarRevenue, Gator, and DeskAd. These adware outbreaks frequently appear as a video, banner, full-screen, or other pop-up annoyance.

Backdoors

A backdoor is a trojan that offers an attacker remote access into the victim’s device. Most device or software manufacturers place backdoors in their products intentionally, so company personnel or law enforcement can use the backdoor to access the system if needed. However, in a bad actor’s hands, a backdoor can do anything the user does. Backdoors can also be installed by other types of malware, such as viruses or rootkits.

Risks of Backdoor Attacks

Backdoors can provide illegal access to networks and systems, allowing attackers to enter networks and systems invisibly. Cybercriminals can exploit them to maintain control, steal sensitive data, or launch long-term assaults undetected.

How To Defend Against Backdoors

Backdoors are among the most challenging types of threats to protect against. For businesses, experts say the best defense is a multi-pronged network security strategy that includes a firewall, anti-malware or EDR software, network monitoring, SIEM systems, intrusion detection and prevention (IDPS), and data protection. For individual users, the best defenses will be good antivirus software and timely updates, plus a properly configured home router.

Also read: How to Prevent Malware: 15 Best Practices for Malware Prevention

Real Examples of Backdoor Attacks

Microsoft SQL Server experienced a major backdoor malware attack in late 2022. DoublePulsar, an NSA-developed malware implant, was leaked by Shadow Brokers in 2017 and infects Windows systems. ShadowPad, a sophisticated backdoor malware, was discovered in 2017 embedded in software products like CCleaner, providing remote access for attackers to steal sensitive data. It is associated with the threat group APT17 and has been involved in high-profile cyberattacks targeting intellectual property and financial information. Backdoors, intentional or not, have also been discovered by security researchers; a recent one was found in PowerShell.

Bots and Botnets

Bots are software performing automated tasks, making attacks known as “botnets” overwhelming for victims. In cybersecurity, a bot typically refers to an infected device containing malicious software. Without the user’s knowledge or permission, a bot can corrupt the device. Botnet attacks are targeted efforts by an army of bots, directed by their bot herder.

Risks of Botnet Attacks

Bots, particularly when organized into botnets, have the ability to execute orders on a vast scale. They are capable of launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which overwhelm servers and render websites or services unreachable. Bots can also commit identity theft, credit card fraud, and other sorts of online crime.

How To Defend Against Botnets

Organizations can help prevent their computers from becoming part of a botnet by installing anti-malware or EDR software, using firewalls, keeping software up-to-date via patch management, and forcing users to use strong passwords. Network monitoring software can also help determine when a system has become part of a botnet, and botnet protection and DDoS solutions are essential for critically important systems. Always change the default passwords for any IoT devices you install before use.

Real Examples of Botnet Attacks

While botnets may be best known for their role in DDoS attacks, their growing sophistication in fraud and credential theft are possibly even more alarming. Meanwhile, botnets remain quite active in DDoS attacks, with Mirai perhaps the most frequently mentioned. Cybercriminals continue to evolve here too, witness the recent record DDoS attacks based on a widespread HTTP/2 protocol flaw.

See our articles on stopping and preventing DDoS attacks

Browser Hijacker

A browser hijacker also called “hijackware,” noticeably changes the behavior of your web browser. This change could be sending you to a new search page, slow-loading, changing your homepage, installing unwanted toolbars, directing you to sites you did not intend to visit, and displaying unwanted ads. Attackers can make money off advertising fees, steal information from users, spy, or direct users to websites or apps that download more malware.

Risks of Browser Hijacker Attacks

Browser hijackers can not only reroute users but also change search results and introduce malicious advertisements. They can direct visitors to phishing sites, where personal information such as login passwords and financial information can be stolen, resulting in serious security breaches.

How To Defend Against  Browser Hijacker

Be careful when installing new software and browser extensions on your system. Many browser hijackers piggyback on wanted software, much like adware does. Ensure you install and run anti-malware software on your system and maintain high-security settings for browser activity.

Because hijackware is related to your browser, therein lies the solution to exterminating a browser hijacker. If your antivirus software fails to notice a new strain, you can reinstall the browser. If that fails to work, clearing the contents of the device might be required. Follow browser security rankings from time to time; as of this writing, Firefox is well regarded.

Real Examples of  Browser Hijacker Attacks

Ask Toolbar, Conduit, CoolWebSearch, Coupon Saver, GoSave, and RockTab are a few noteworthy browser hijackers. These browser hijackers often take the shape of an additional toolbar, and because they are frequently included in software downloads, consumers are often unaware of their potential danger.

Bugs

Bugs are a generic term for flaws in segments of code. All software has bugs, and most go unnoticed or are mildly impactful to the user. Sometimes, however, a bug represents a severe security vulnerability, and using software with this type of bug can open your system up to attacks.

Risks of Bug Attacks

Attackers can use bugs to obtain unauthorized access to systems. Depending on the nature of the problem, it might cause system crashes, data theft and corruption, or alteration of vital files, posing serious threats to a system’s stability and security.

How To Defend Against Bugs

The best way to minimize potentially nasty bugs is consistent updates for your software. With vulnerabilities at the top of software vendors’ minds, they are usually quick to release patches to prevent user system damage. For organizations writing or configuring their code, it’s imperative to follow best practices for secure code and potentially seek third-party review. On the dev side, code security tools can also help.

Real Examples of Bug Attacks

The Y2K issue, also known as the Millennium Bug or Year 2000 Problem, was a significant computer bug-related concern due to its global scope, widespread fear, technological dependence, complex interconnected systems, massive preparations, and unprecedented media coverage. Fortunately that turned out to be a relatively benign issue, but there are more than 20,000 new vulnerabilities discovered every year. To stay on top of them, follow our frequent vulnerability reports, the best known of which is Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday updates on the second Tuesday of every month.

Crimeware

Some vendors use “crimeware” to refer to malware that is criminally executed and often financially benefits the attacker. Much like malware, it is an inclusive category that encompasses a wide variety of malicious software. Unlike ransomware, it might be a criminal operation that does not involve the collection of a ransom. As a term, crimeware encompasses much of the malware types listed in this article.

Risks of Crimeware Attacks

Crimeware is particularly developed for monetary gain. It contains a variety of infections, including banking trojans and credit card stealers. These threats are often aimed at financial institutions and users, resulting in financial losses, hacked accounts, and a loss of faith in online transactions.

How To Defend Against Crimeware

For businesses, best network security practices are essential, including using anti-malware, firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection (IPDS), network and log monitoring, data protection, security information and event management (SIEM), and threat intelligence.

For individuals, the usual best practices apply: good antivirus software, timely updates, good router security, and most of all, if you don’t know what it is, don’t click on it.

Real Examples of Crimeware Attacks

Because crimeware is an umbrella term for most malware types, the examples are endless. Some malware like keyloggers and backdoors come with the product design for later maintenance of the device. All crimeware programs are inherently malicious, and their successful activation is prosecutable.

Fileless Malware

Fileless malware, also known as non-malware or memory-resident malware, operates without relying on executable files on a victim’s system. It resides in the system’s memory or uses legitimate system tools, making it harder to detect and remove. It often exploits scripting languages, macros, or other programs, often delivered through malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or phishing attacks. Once executed, fileless malware can exploit vulnerabilities to execute malicious actions, such as stealing sensitive information or initiating unauthorized transactions.

Risks of Fileless Malware Attacks

Fileless malware operates in computer memory, avoiding detection by regular antivirus software. It leaves no traces on the file system, making analysis and removal difficult, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access and carry out covert operations.

How To Defend Against Fileless Malware

To reduce the risk of fileless malware infections, both users and organizations should follow the security best practices we’ve already discussed. Detection of fileless malware can be difficult. Enterprises should look for behavioral anomalies and other indicators of compromise such as abnormal code execution and lateral movement. These are good things to look for in threat hunting exercises too. The good news is that EDR and even consumer antivirus software are getting better at behavioral detection. The bad news is that fileless malware is difficult to remove; for Windows users, Autoruns and Process Explorer may help.

Real Examples of Fileless Attacks

Fileless malware assaults have been present for a while, but they became more common in 2017. Frodo, Number of the Beast, and The Dark Avenger were early examples of fileless malware. The Democratic National Committee hack and the Equifax breach are two recent high-profile fileless attacks. This is one area where hackers continue to evolve, witness reports last year that Windows Event Logs had become a source of fileless malware. The use of legitimate tools like PowerShell and Windows Event Logs for cyber attacks is also part of the growing tactics of Living off the Land (LOTL) attacks.

Keyloggers

A keylogger is a software program that records all of the keys a user touches. This exposed data includes everything from emails and documents typed to passwords entered for authentication purposes. By obtaining sensitive authentication credentials, attackers can break into a victim’s network or user accounts.

Risks of Keylogger Attacks

Keyloggers discreetly record keystrokes, acquiring sensitive data such as passwords and credit card information, and can lead to identity theft or illegal access to critical systems.

How To Defend Against Keyloggers

Good password hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent access to keyloggers. Using strong passwords that you update regularly can go a long way towards keeping you safe. Firewalls and anti-malware solutions can help, but keyloggers are also a good argument in favor of using biometric authentication, or at least MFA that uses a second device for authentication.

Real Examples of Keylogger Attacks

Keylogging is often used by vendors and organizations working with sensitive information. Employers can enable a keylogger through hardware or software to detect any criminal or unethical behavior on company systems. For malicious keyloggers outside your organization, initial access to a device or user’s account would be necessary, typically through a malicious download.

A strain of keylogger malware dubbed LokiBot notably increased in 2020. CISA reported that LokiBot “employs Trojan malware to steal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, cryptocurrency wallets, and other credentials.” Just this year, security researchers demonstrated how AI could be used to steal keystrokes.

Malicious Mobile Apps

In the sea of apps available today, not all of them are desirable, and the problem is even more acute with third-party app stores. While app store vendors try to prevent malicious apps from becoming available, some inevitably slip through, occasionally even through Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store. Malicious mobile apps can steal user information, attempt to extort money from users, gain access to corporate networks, force users to view unwanted ads or engage in other undesirable activity types.

Risks of Malicious Mobile App Attacks

Malicious mobile apps can steal data or damage device operation. They frequently seek overly broad permissions, allowing them to access personal information, communications, or location data, jeopardizing user privacy.

How To Defend Against A Malicious Mobile App

User education is one of the most powerful tools for preventing malicious mobile apps. By avoiding third-party app stores and investigating app data before downloading, users can significantly mitigate this risk. Deploying mobile anti-malware and company-wide mobile security management is essential for large organizations. This is one place where paying for mobile antivirus software is absolutely worth the cost, and pay attention to reports of malicious apps to make sure you don’t have any installed on your devices.

Real Examples of Malicious Mobile Apps Attacks

Google Play Store was hit by a banking trojan earlier this year. Google has taken steps to make Play Store more secure, but all mobile users should still exercise caution, keep devices updated, and use a paid anti-malware solution; free versions typically offer little.

Learn more about mobile malware

Phishing and Social Engineering

Phishing and social engineering are a type of email attack that attempts to trick users into divulging passwords, downloading an attachment, or visiting a website that installs malware on their systems. More targeted efforts at specific users are known as spear phishing. Because the goal is to trick the user, attackers will research the victim to maximize trick potential, often using spoofing to make the email seem legitimate.

Risks of Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

Phishing and social engineering are deceptive techniques that can trick victims into disclosing sensitive information or other undesirable outcomes. Attackers utilize psychological manipulation to trick users into revealing private data, leading to identity theft, unlawful access and other cybersecurity issues.

How To Defend Against Phishing and Social Engineering

Because phishing relies on social engineering — tricking users into doing something — employee training is one of the best defenses against these attacks. Users should deploy anti-spam and anti-malware solutions, and staff should know not to divulge personal and financial information or passwords in email messages. Training users to avoid downloading attachments or clicking website links in messages, even if they appear to come from a known source, is imperative given phishing attackers often pretend to be a company or person known to the victim. Email is also a common attack vector for ransomware.

Real Examples of Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

RAM Scraper

RAM scraper malware, also known as Point-of-Sale (POS) malware, harvests data temporarily stored in a system’s memory, also known as random access memory (RAM). This type of malware targets POS systems like cash registers or vendor portals where an attacker can access unencrypted credit card numbers. While this sensitive payment data is only available for milliseconds before passing the encrypted numbers to back-end systems, attackers can still access millions of records.

Risks of RAM Scraper Attacks

RAM Scraper uses computer memory to retrieve sensitive information such as credit card numbers during transactions. Attackers obtain access to payment information by intercepting data in real-time, resulting in financial theft and hurting client trust.

How To Defend Against Ram Scraper Attacks

Organizations can help prevent RAM scraper attacks by using hardened POS systems and separating payment-related systems from non-payment systems. Usual precautions such as anti-malware software, firewalls, data encryption, and complying with any relevant standards or regulations for protecting customer data are a must.

Real Examples of RAM Scraper Attacks

Home Depot and Target were hit by RAM scraping techniques in two of the largest-ever data breaches in 2014. The Home Depot attack, discovered in September 2014, compromised over 50 million customer records, and the Target attack, discovered in December 2014, resulting in over 40 million. The attacks underscored the need for ongoing vigilance by both businesses and consumers.

Ransomware

Ransomware has quickly become one of the scariest and most prevalent types of malware. The most common malware variants encrypt a system or specific files, stopping any work from being done until the victim pays a ransom to the attacker — even though the decryption keys provided by attackers often don’t work. Other forms of ransomware threaten to publicize sensitive information within the encrypted or stolen data.

Risks of Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware encrypts files and demands money for decryption, frequently resulting in data loss and financial harm. “Double extortion” attacks carry the added risk of sensitive data exposure and reputational damage.

How To Defend Against Ransomware Attacks

Often organizations and users can mitigate ransomware attacks by having up-to-date, immutable, air-gapped data backups so they can simply wipe the system and reboot from an offline backup. Organizations should train users about the threat, patch their software as necessary, and follow all recommended security best practices.

Real Examples of Ransomware Attacks

The Colonial Pipeline attack that nearly shut down the Eastern U.S. was one of the most dramatic in recent years, but healthcare attacks have perhaps been even more concerning. The Clop ransomware group is one of the newest threats in a long line that includes CryptoLocker, Locky, WannaCry, Hermes, GandCrab, and Ryuk.

Read more about ransomware:

• Ransomware Protection: How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks
• How to Recover From a Ransomware Attack
• Best Ransomware Removal Tools
• Best Ransomware Removal and Recovery Services
• How to Decrypt Ransomware Files – And What to Do When That Fails

Rogue Security Software

Rogue security software is a form of ransomware or scareware. An attacker enabling this method tricks users into thinking their system or device is at risk. The malware program will present itself as a fake security tool to remove the problem at a cost. In actuality, the user pays and the artificial security software installs even more malware onto their systems.

Risks of Rogue Security Software Attacks

Rogue security software dupes users into paying for unneeded services and even giving away their payment info while receiving only further damage. While attempting to delete the fraudulent software, users may unintentionally install further malware, exacerbating the security concern.

How To Defend Against Rogue Security Software Attacks

As with many other malware forms, you can prevent most rogue security software from being installed on your system by using a firewall and anti-malware solution and by being careful when clicking on links or attachments in email messages. Also, organizations should educate users about the threat, as rogue security software attackers have become particularly good at social engineering.

Real Examples of Rogue Security Software Attacks

Some of the most common rogue security software attacks have come in spam campaigns and adware. However, a different infection vector for this malware is the technique known as Black Hat SEO. By following the most popular keywords on the internet through public records like Google Trends, attackers use malicious scripts to generate websites that appear legitimate.

Rootkit

Rootkits are one of the most insidious malware types because they allow attackers to have administrator-level access to systems without users’ knowledge. Once an attacker has root access, they can do almost anything with the system, including recording activity, changing system settings, accessing data, and mounting attacks on other systems.

Risks of Rootkit Attacks

Rootkits are frequently used in persistent, covert attacks. With admin-level control, rootkits have high-level system privileges while circumventing security safeguards, allowing attackers to maintain control over infected computers for lengthy periods of time and enabling a wide range of destructive behaviors, including data and credential theft.

How To Defend Against Rootkit Attacks

You can prevent most rootkit infections by installing appropriate security software (anti-malware, firewall, log monitoring) and keeping your operating system and other software up-to-date with patches. There are rootkit scanning and removal tools, but many of their capabilities can now be found in good EDR and antivirus tools. You should also be careful when installing any software on your system and when clicking on email attachments and links. If a rootkit infects your system, it can be nearly impossible to detect and remove; in many cases, you may have to wipe your hard drive and start over from scratch to get rid of it.

Real Examples of Rootkit Attacks

Spam

In IT security, spam is unwanted email. Usually, it includes unsolicited advertisements, but it can also contain attempted fraud, links or attachments that could install malware on your system. Many spam emails contain:

• Poor spelling and grammar
• An unusual sender address
• Unrealistic claims
• Links that look risky

However, AI tools and chatbots have made crafting email attacks easier, requiring even more caution on the part of end users.

Risks of Spam

These unwanted, bulk emails clutter inboxes by containing harmful links or schemes. Clicking on spam links can take you to phishing sites, malware downloads, or scams, all of which can compromise your personal and financial information.

How To Defend Against Spam

Most email solutions or services include anti-spam features, and major email services like Gmail have continually improved at spam detection. Using these capabilities is the best way to prevent spam from showing up on your systems. If your inbox contains thousands of unread emails and a dozen subscriptions no longer pertinent, do yourself a favor and unsubscribe. Businesses should also consider email security tools and other ways to make email more secure.

Real Examples of Spam

Spam might be one of the most universally understood forms of malware. As billions of people use email in their everyday lives, it makes sense that malicious actors try to sneak into your inbox. Some of the most common types of spam emails include fake responses, PayPal, returned mail, and social media, all of which are disguised as legitimate but contain malware.

Spyware

Spyware is any type of software that gathers information about someone without their knowledge or consent. For example, website tracking cookies that monitor a user’s browsing history is considered a form of spyware. Other types of spyware might attempt to steal personal or corporate information. Government agencies and law enforcement often use spyware to investigate domestic suspects or international threat actors. It is challenging for the user to detect spyware symptoms, ranging from performance issues to unusual modem or router activity.

Risks of Spyware Attacks

Spyware secretly monitors user actions, gathering personal information, passwords, surfing patterns, location and more. As attackers get access to critical information without the user’s awareness, it can lead to identity theft, privacy breaches, and financial losses. In cases of political surveillance, spyware can endanger opponents of authoritarian regimes, as happened with the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware in Apple iPhones.

How To Defend Spyware Attacks

Install anti-spyware software on your computer. Luckily, anti-spyware capabilities are included in most antivirus or anti-malware packages, but in the case of a sophisticated foe, spyware can still be difficult to detect. Using a firewall and caution when downloading software is a must. And finally, scanning for potential threats often can be a lifesaver. Amnesty International published a detailed article on detecting Pegasus spyware and released a forensics tool for mobile devices.

Real Examples of Spyware Attacks

Adware, trojans, keyloggers, and rootkits are common forms of spyware. CoolWebSearch, Gator, Internet Optimizer, TIBS Dialer, and Zlob are some of the most well-known spyware strains. CoolWebSearch, for example, utilizes browser flaws to redirect traffic to advertising, infect host files, and rewrite search engine results. In the case of the iPhone spyware exploit, Apple patched its devices, but the incident showed that nothing is safe from determined, sophisticated hackers.

Trojans

In computer security, a trojan is any malware that pretends to be something else but serves a malicious purpose. For example, a trojan might appear to be a free game, but once installed, it might destroy your hard drive, steal data, install a backdoor, or take other harmful actions.

Risks of Trojan Attacks

A Trojan is often disguised as legitimate software, but once installed it enables unwanted access and control. Trojans can download additional malware, steal sensitive data, or provide attackers backdoor access to an infected machine, creating severe security threats.

How To Defend Against Trojan Attacks

Because trojans use social engineering for targeted attacks, educating users is imperative. Caution when installing new software or clicking email links and attachments is the name of the game. Organizations can defend against most trojans with security software such as anti-malware software and sufficient firewalls.

Real Examples of Trojan Attacks

Viruses

While some refer to malware and viruses interchangeably, a virus is a specific type of malware that requires human activation — a click on an attachment, image, link, or even a file you access every day. Often hidden, a click by someone could unknowingly boot up a virus. Viruses infect a device and then attempt to spread to other devices and systems.

Risks of Virus Attacks

As far as damage to the user goes, a virus can perform several undesirable commands. These include:

• Incorporating systems into a botnet
• Sending spam to contacts
• Stealing sensitive information
• Locking the system
• Deleting or damaging files and programs

How To Defend Virus Attacks

Any internet-enabled system in your network should have antivirus software installed and up-to-date. Deploying a firewall is essential, but also use care when clicking on email attachments or URL links. Inspecting website security by its SSL is imperative to avoid visiting unknown or untrusted websites.

Real Examples of Virus Attacks

Also Read: Antivirus vs. EPP vs. EDR: How to Secure Your Endpoints

Worms

A worm is similar to a virus because it spreads itself, but a worm does not need an attacker’s permission for activation. Instead, it is a standalone piece of malware that extends within a system or network. Like viruses, it can cause just as much damage to the device.

Risks of Worm Attacks

Worms are self-replicating malware that spread over networks, wasting bandwidth, interfering with services, and swiftly infecting a large number of devices, potentially resulting in a loss of vital services.

How To Defend Worm Attacks

As with viruses, the best way to prevent worm infections is with antivirus or anti-malware software. And as always, users should only click on email links or attachments when confident of the contents.

Real Examples of Worm Attacks

Defending Against All Types of Malware

Defending against various types of malware necessitates a comprehensive strategy that includes proactive and reactive measures. Here are key approaches for safeguarding your systems and devices from malware.

Utilize Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software

Install trustworthy antivirus and anti-malware programs on each of your devices. Also, ensure these tools are regularly updated to identify and remove the latest threats.

Keep Software Updated

Keep your operating system, software, and applications up-to-date, as outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that malware exploits.

Educate Users

Train users to recognize common malware delivery methods, like phishing emails and dubious websites. Encourage caution when interacting with emails, files or links from unknown sources.

Implement Firewalls

Use firewalls to block malicious inbound and outbound traffic. Regularly configure firewalls to limit unnecessary ports and services. For individual users, make sure your router is secure and properly configured, and activate firewalls on your router and/or laptop.

Enhance Email Security

Employ robust email security measures to filter out spam, phishing emails, and malicious attachments. Advise users to exercise caution with email attachments or links, especially from unfamiliar senders.

Secure Web Browsing

Utilize web security tools such as gateways to prevent access to malicious websites. In addition, educate users about the risks associated with visiting suspicious sites.

Strengthen Network Security

Segment your network to minimize lateral movement within your organization. Deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems to monitor network traffic for signs of malicious activity.

Application Whitelisting

Consider using application whitelisting to permit only authorized software to run. This reduces the chance of unauthorized or malicious applications executing.

Adopt Least Privilege

Limit user and system privileges to the minimum required for their tasks, also known as zero trust. This minimizes the potential impact if a system or account is compromised.

Regular Data Backups

Create regular automated, immutable backups of crucial data. In the case of malware, clean backups enable restoration of systems and data.

Utilize Behavior Analysis

Employ security software utilizing behavior analysis to identify and block malware based on actions and characteristics, not just signatures.

Develop an Incident Response Plan

Establish and routinely test an incident response plan to react swiftly and efficiently to malware incidents. Isolate infected systems and take necessary actions to eliminate the malware.

Manage Patches

Establish a patch management process to promptly apply security updates, as many malware attacks exploit unpatched vulnerabilities.

Ensure Mobile Device Security

Apply good security practices to mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to guard against mobile malware. Employ mobile security solutions and remote device management tools.

Monitor and Use Threat Intelligence

Continuously monitor your network for signs of malicious activity. Stay updated on the latest malware threats and trends through reliable threat intelligence sources.

Bottom Line: Prepare For All Malware Types

To protect against malware, it’s crucial to have up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware solutions, and regularly update operating systems, software, and applications. Educate your team about common cybercriminal tactics and promote a security-conscious culture. Firewalls, web and email security tools, and advanced technologies like behavior analysis can help block unauthorized traffic and access. A robust data backup system is essential.

Establish a well-defined incident response plan, outlining steps for isolating systems, removing malware, and restoring data from backups. Regular testing ensures swift and effective response. Stay informed about emerging malware trends and adapt your cybersecurity strategy as threats evolve.

By fostering a security-conscious culture, implementing robust technical defenses, and having a well-rehearsed incident response plan, you can significantly enhance your organization’s resilience against malware threats.

Read next: How You Get Malware: 8 Ways Malware Creeps Onto Your Device

This updates a February 2021 article by Sam Ingalls

The post 19 Different Types of Malware Attacks: Examples & Defenses appeared first on eSecurity Planet.

About the only good news last week was that a much-hyped heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the widely used Curl file transfer tool turned out to be not as bad as feared, and reports of a possible zero day in the Signal encrypted messaging app turned out to be just a rumor.

We cover all those vulnerabilities and more below. Together, they underscore the importance of patching — while acknowledging that prioritizing patches and inventorying all IT assets remain major challenges for even the best IT teams.

See also: Top Patch and Vulnerability Management tools

October 9, 2023

D-Link WiFi range extender susceptible to command injection attacks 

Type of attack: The vulnerability is a combination of a Denial of Service (DoS) attack and a Remote Command Injection attack.

The problem: The main problem with the D-Link DAP-X1860 WiFi 6 range extender is its susceptibility to a vulnerability (CVE-2023-45208) that allows attackers to execute remote commands and perform DoS attacks. Specifically, the extender fails to properly parse SSIDs containing a single tick (‘) in the name, misinterpreting it as a command terminator. This flaw, reported by Germany-based Red Team Pentesting, allows attackers to inject malicious shell commands, leading to unauthorized remote access and potential control over the device. All processes on the extender, including injected commands, are executed with root privileges, making it a significant security concern.

The fix: The vendor (D-Link) has not yet released a fix for the vulnerability despite being notified by the researchers. Users of D-Link DAP-X1860 extenders are advised to take precautions, such as limiting manual network scans, being suspicious of sudden disconnections, and turning off the extender when not in use. Additionally, isolating IoT devices and range extenders on a separate network from sensitive devices can help mitigate potential risks until a proper fix is provided by the vendor.

Remote Code Execution Threatens GNOME Linux Systems Through File Downloads

Type of attack: A Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability (CVE-2023-43641) was found in the libcue library, a component integrated into the Tracker Miners file metadata indexer used in Linux distributions that run GNOME, such as Fedora and Ubuntu.

The problem: A memory corruption vulnerability in the open-source libcue library was reported by the GitHub Security Lab. This library parses cue sheet files and is incorporated into the Tracker Miners file metadata indexer, included by default in the most recent GNOME desktop environment releases. Tracker Miners can be fooled into processing a maliciously crafted CUE file when it automatically scans downloaded files to refresh the search index on GNOME Linux devices. This parsing procedure could allow libcue’s memory corruption weakness to be exploited, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable Linux machine. The bug allows for a 1-click RCE attack by requiring a user to mistakenly download and open a specially crafted.CUE file.

The fix: Debian, Fedora and the libcue project have all issued fixes that users should apply.

Mirai DDoS malware version adds 13 router vulnerabilities to its list of targets

Type of attack: DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack

The problem: DDoS malware botnet IZ1H9 based on Mirai targeting routers from various manufacturers such as D-Link, Zyxel, TP-Link, and TOTOLINK; in all, Fortinet found about 30 vulnerabilities targeted across 9 product families. The botnet compromises these devices and enlists them in its DDoS swarm by exploiting several vulnerabilities in them. Once infiltrated, these devices are used to perform DDoS assaults against specific targets as instructed by the botnet’s operators. Because of the botnet’s capacity to target a broad variety of devices and vulnerabilities, it poses a substantial danger capable of delivering enormous DDoS assaults.

The fix: Users are advised to promptly apply patches and updates and to always change default credentials.

October 10, 2023

Record DDoS Attacks Traced to HTTP/2 Flaw, Hits All Web Servers

Type of attack: DDoS attacks more than five times larger than the previous record were jointly revealed by Cloudflare, Google and AWS.

The problem: A vulnerability in the HTTP/2 protocol dubbed “Rapid Reset” that affects almost all web servers and tracked as CVE-2023-44487 was blamed for the attacks.

The fix: More than 100 advisories and patches have been issued so far and can be found in the CVE listing. For full coverage, see ‘Rapid Reset’ DDoS Attack Hits HTTP/2 Web Servers.

Microsoft Patch Tuesday Addresses 103 CVEs

Type of attack: Zero-days and other vulnerabilities.

The problem: Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday for October 2023 covers a total of 103 CVEs, including three zero-day vulnerabilities affecting WordPad, Skype and the HTTP/2 “Rapid Reset” DDoS vulnerability, plus 9 critical Layer 2 tunneling vulnerabilities.

The fix: The CVEs and associated patches are detailed in October 2023 Patch Tuesday Includes Three Zero-Days Flaws.

High-Risk Vulnerability in Citrix NetScaler Exposes Sensitive Data

Type of attack: A combination of vulnerabilities in Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway, leading to potential sensitive information disclosure and denial of service (DoS) attacks.

The problem: Two main issues were detected in Citrix NetScaler:

• CVE-2023-4966 (Sensitive Information Disclosure): This significant vulnerability causes Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway equipment to disclose sensitive information. Although no specifics regarding the type of the exposed information were revealed, the defect potentially exposes important data. The vulnerability may be exploited remotely without requiring elevated access, human interaction, or a high level of complexity. The appliance must be configured as a Gateway or a AAA virtual server to be susceptible.
• CVE-2023-4967 (Denial of Service): CVE-2023-4967, a high-severity issue (CVSS score: 8.2), has similar requirements and can possibly cause a denial of service (DoS) on vulnerable devices.

The fix: Citrix patched these flaws by issuing updated versions of the affected products. The remedy entails applying security updates to the following versions:

• 14.1-8.50 and later NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway
• NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 13.1-49.15, as well as subsequent 13.1 versions
• NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway 13.0-92.19, as well as subsequent 13.0 versions
• NetScaler ADC 13.1-FIPS 13.1-37.164 and subsequent 13.1-FIPS releases
• NetScaler ADC 12.1-FIPS 12.1-55.300 and subsequent 12.1-FIPS releases
• NetScaler ADC 12.1-NDcPP 12.1-55.300 and subsequent 12.1-NDcPP releases

Version 12.1, which has reached its end of life (EOL), will no longer be maintained, thus users are encouraged to update to a more recent, actively supported edition to guarantee continuous security.

October 12, 2023

Curl vulnerability falls short of expectations

Type of attack: The Curl file transfer tool contains a high-severity vulnerability known as a “Heap Buffer Overflow,” which was identified as CVE-2023-38545. A heap buffer overflow is a type of software vulnerability where a program writes more data to a block of memory, or buffer, than it can hold.

The problem: A heap buffer overflow flaw in Curl’s SOCKS5 proxy protocol implementation causes this vulnerability. When software permits more data to be written to an allocated memory space than it can contain, a heap buffer overflow occurs. Overwriting contiguous memory areas can result in program crashes and, in certain situations, remote code execution (RCE) attacks.

The issue was first classified as a major threat; however, it was later discovered to have particular prerequisites for exploitation, making it less critical than previously thought. The issue only affects Curl clients who are set to utilize a SOCKS5 proxy and have automatic redirections enabled.

The fix: A vulnerability in curl version 8.4.0 was fixed by addressing a heap buffer overflow issue in the SOCKS5 proxy protocol implementation. Users are advised to upgrade to patch the flaw and protect their systems from potential exploitation. The vulnerability required specific conditions, including SOCKS5 proxies and slow connections to the remote site. Security researchers and developers using SOCKS5 proxies for legitimate purposes were potential targets. The practical exploitation of the vulnerability was complex and required careful crafting.

Apple patches iOS Kernel zero-day vulnerability on older iPhones

Type of attack: The first type of attack is the Privilege Escalation Vulnerability CVE-2023-42824 vulnerability allows local attackers to elevate privileges on vulnerable iPhones and iPads by exploiting a weakness in the XNU kernel. The second is the Heap Buffer Overflow Vulnerability CVE-2023-5217 vulnerability causes a heap buffer overflow within the VP8 encoding of the libvpx video codec library.

The problem: Privilege Escalation CVE-2023-42824 and Heap Buffer Overflow CVE-2023-5217 are vulnerabilities in the XNU kernel and libvpx video codec library. The former allows local attackers to gain escalated privileges on iPhones and iPads, potentially compromising the entire system. The latter allows remote code execution, allowing attackers to run malicious code without user consent or knowledge. Both vulnerabilities are crucial for system security.

The fix: Apple has addressed two vulnerabilities in its iOS and iPadOS software. The first, Privilege Escalation CVE-2023-42824, was fixed in iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1 by improving checks in the XNU kernel. The second, Heap Buffer Overflow CVE-2023-5217, was addressed in the libvpx video codec library by releasing patches for iOS and iPadOS. These patches included security measures to prevent heap buffer overflows, preventing arbitrary code execution. Both vulnerabilities require users to update their devices to the latest versions, as regular software updates are crucial for protecting against known vulnerabilities and potential exploits.

Last week’s vulnerability recap can be found here: Weekly Vulnerability Recap – October 9, 2023 – Zero-Days Strike Android, Microsoft, Apple, Cisco & More

Also read: Patch Management Policy: Steps, Benefits and a Free Template

The post Weekly Vulnerability Recap – October 16, 2023 – DDoS, Microsoft, Apple & Linux Lead a Busy Week appeared first on eSecurity Planet.