Advanced Persistent Threats usually target high-value targets, such as nation-states and large corporations, and involve intricate multi-phased strategies employing various techniques to infiltrate securely held information systems. They are characterised by their sophistication, persistence, stealth, and significant resources backing the attackers, often state-sponsored or well-funded criminal organisations.
The complexity of Advanced Persistent Threat attacks requires comprehensive and layered security measures for defence. This includes regular monitoring of network activities, endpoint protection, threat intelligence, swift incident response, and a strong emphasis on employee training and awareness.
How to detect an advanced persistent threat
An advanced persistent threat can occur in many different ways, and because it is more sophisticated than your average cyber attack, what you must look out for is considerably different from what you’d usually detect.
First, you must monitor for any signs of unusual logins and activity. If you see a high-profile company member logging in after work hours, you should be wary. Cybercriminals are savvy and try logging in when they believe no one will catch them. Usually, this will be at night, so keep an eye out.
Hackers usually use backdoor trojans to ensure they can remotely access a computer. Trojans can also be obtained through spear phishing attempts, so look out for suspicious emails. Once on the system, they will allow the hacker to send or receive commands or fully control the affected computer.
As hackers are after your and your company’s information, you should look for any information being moved. Cybercriminals may move your data between computers on the same internal network or to external computers. On top of this, hackers will group together data before they export it out of your system. Hackers can easily steal larger amounts of your data by grouping and compressing data. If you see any files that appear to be out of place, make a note of it.
How to prevent an advanced persistent threat
To prevent an APT from harming your system, you can use several tactics to avoid them.
Firstly, as most APTs begin with a spear phishing attack, training your employees to detect a phishing scam can prevent the issue from ever occurring. Establishing a training program that goes over signs to look out for when dealing with a fraudulent email and what to do in the event of an attack can make sure your employees are aware and guarded against cyber attackers.
This tip is simple but can be easily neglected. Ensure your systems are updated, and any patches released for the programs you use are installed. These updates will keep your systems current, meaning there will be fewer weaknesses to exploit.
Key Characteristics:
- Sophistication: APTs use advanced hacking techniques and malware to exploit vulnerabilities in a system.
- Long-term Objective: APTs focus on long-term access to the target’s network rather than immediate financial gain.
- Stealth and Covert Operations: The aim is to remain undetected within the network to gather valuable information continuously.
- Targeting Specific Entities: Often aimed at government or corporate entities for strategic advantage.
Examples:
- Real-World Example: The Stuxnet virus represented an APT directed towards Iran’s nuclear facilities, aiming to sabotage their nuclear program while remaining undetected for as long as possible.
- Hypothetical Scenario: A nation-state’s intelligence agency carefully and persistently targets a defence contractor’s network to steal blueprints for advanced technology without being discovered.
Related Terms:
- Cyber Espionage: Using cyber techniques to gain illicit access to confidential information, often related to APTs.
- Malware: Malicious software used in APTs to infect and remain undetected within a network.
- Zero Day Exploit: An attack exploiting previously unknown vulnerabilities, which may be used in APTs to gain access to target systems.
