{"id":22970,"date":"2022-10-31T11:56:35","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T06:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hexnode.com\/blogs\/?p=22970"},"modified":"2023-06-09T11:14:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T05:44:53","slug":"this-halloween-escape-from-endpoint-security-nightmares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hexnode.com\/blogs\/this-halloween-escape-from-endpoint-security-nightmares\/","title":{"rendered":"This Halloween, escape from endpoint security nightmares"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine setting up a timer on your smartwatch to keep track of time while your pie for the office potluck is in the oven. But you forget that your home network is not as secure as your workplace. It\u2019s quite easy for the next-door neighbour\u2019s geeky kid to hack into it and bug your watch. Your pie is set ablaze. You are now left with no choice but to repeat the whole process or order in. The spirit of Halloween was in the air and you got tricked.<\/em> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sounds like a nightmare?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s closer to reality than you think. Technology is now oriented toward normalcy. There are <\/span>children as young as five<\/span><\/a> digging into their Xbox accounts for bugs and reporting major security flaws. We have also witnessed a big bend in the curve of working patterns during and after the pandemic. <\/span><\/p>\n

As much as this change is inevitable, so are the evolving vulnerabilities. The onset of the holiday season pretty much keeps IT admins and security architects tied in\u00a0a tug of war. Either save for the treats or get tricked!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Paranormal activities to look out for<\/h2>\n

Around this time of the year, your inbox will be chiming in new emails from work, e-commerce websites, your favourite newsletters, banks with their offers, people-who-still-use-email-to-connect<\/em> and HACKERS!! There are many “paranormal activities” to look out for in the cyber world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Social Engineering attacks<\/h4>\n

It is an umbrella term for all sorts of attacks that involve psychological manipulation to trick people. If an email looks too good to be true<\/strong> (unless it\u2019s an email regarding your promotion from a trusted source) then hit the \u2018report\u2019 button immediately. Usually, the offender who commits a social engineering attack will have your general information to form a crafty, undeniable offer or a request to get their hands on your credentials. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They would definitely nail the best duping costume at any Halloween party.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)<\/h4>\n

When a threat actor targets an organization’s online activities using resources from numerous, distant places, the attack is known as a DDoS. DDoS attacks typically focus on launching attacks that interfere with network services and equipment functioning normally or even by design.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t

\r\n \t\t\tIoT Botnet<\/span> \t\t\t \t\t\t\t

\r\n \t\t\t\t\tA network of Internet of Things (IoT) devices that have contracted malware and are under the control of hackers is known as a botnet. IoT botnets are well-known for being used to perform distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against target companies in an effort to interfere with their business operations and services. Due to the crucial role that routers play in networks; fraudsters have more opportunity to utilise IoT botnets to launch more devastating assaults.\u00a0 \t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n \t\t\t \t\t\t\r\n \t\t<\/div>\r\n \t\t<\/span><\/p>\n

Advanced persistent threats<\/h4>\n

An advanced persistent threat (APT) is a targeted cyberattack that lasts for a long time and involves an intrusion into a network that goes unnoticed for a considerable amount of time<\/strong>. Instead of attempting to enter and exit the targeted network as fast as possible, the majority of APT attacks aim to gain and keep continuing access to it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ransomware attacks<\/h4>\n

The most cinematic attack out of all…a race against time…to unlock your data before time runs out. Jokes apart, ransomware is malicious software that sits in your system and blocks access to your data. As a result, the attacker demands a ransom in return for access after payment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Zero-day attacks<\/h4>\n

A zero-day attack is one that takes advantage of a major software security flaw that the vendor or developer might not be aware of. Typically, you have \u2018zero days\u2019 to act on it. These security flaws can also be sold on the dark web for a lump sum amount.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Endpoint security nightmares: The risks that make it a reality<\/h2>\n

Truth be told, the list of causes behind cyberattacks will barely come to an end. The giant leap in work culture brought in by WFH, BYOD, COPE etc is expanding the diversity in technology for enterprises. Combining it with the skill gap in cybersecurity today, it may get difficult for organisations to keep up with the current trends. Some of the most common factors that result in a cyber-attack are–<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n