Layered Cybersecurity Can Prevent Multi Vector Attacks

Summary: This brief article explores the threats of multi vector attacks, polymorphic malware and how to protect your SMB’s computer network and business data from multi vector DoS attacks. Layered cyber defense solutions can help. For further information about multi vector security, contact DIGIGUARD Cyber Security at https://www.digiguardsecurity.com/.

Cybercriminals have become diabolically creative. They are vigilant in their search for cyber vulnerabilities and the creation of cyberattack methods to capitalize upon them. Hackers have many nefarious approaches or “attack vectors” for finding the weaknesses in and breaching business computer systems. Once they gain access, they steal data or hold it hostage. They identify the attack surface of a system, and they launch attacks to infiltrate it based on the vulnerabilities they’ve uncovered. The following are the most common vectors used by cyber thieves:

• Phishing – Phishing is on the rise. It is an attack in which user targets are contacted via text or email by someone pretending to be a legitimate and trusted source. Phishing aims to trick the user into providing personal information such as social security numbers, credit card data and passwords. Because phishing generally relies on impulsive actions by users in response to the contact, it is hard to stop with traditional cyber security.
• Stealing Credentials – Usernames and passwords are the first line of defense against many cyberattacks. However, hackers can fool users into entering their login credentials on a fake website that looks like an authentic, trusted site. The level of risk for compromised credentials often depends on the access privileges associated with them. But humans are not the only entities requiring login credentials. Servers, smart devices, software and machine-to-machine connections require credentials and are at risk of being breached.
• Insider Attacks – An insider attack occurs when an employee or executive of a business uses their access privileges to steal data or compromise data security. Malicious insiders can be operating alone or in concert with a cybercriminal. Either way, depending on the level of the employee in a company’s hierarchy, insider threats can cause devastating damage to an SMB.
• Insufficient Data Encryption – Data encryption scrambles and translates digital data to make it unrecognizable to outside entities not entitled to view it. Data encryption should be a system-wide priority and automatically deployed for all sensitive or proprietary data.
• Ransomware – Unfortunately, the use of ransomware is trending upward. When falling victim to a ransomware attack, companies are unable to gain access to their data. Generally, the data is encrypted by the hacker, who then demands a “ransom” to be paid before providing a decryption key to unlock the system. Also, ransoms are often doubled if the target doesn’t meet the deadline presented. This compromise is known as a denial of service attack.
  • What is Denial of Service Attacking? – Any time a bad actor hijacks or blocks access to company data and operations, it is considered a Denial of Service (DoS) attack.
• Polymorphic Malware – How can one protect against a cyberattack that continually alters its appearance and code? That is precisely what polymorphic malware does, which makes it harder to track and contain.

Any one of the above vectors might be used by hackers and is scary alone. But imagine what can happen when attacks are launched simultaneously through multiple vulnerable access points. These coordinated attacks are known as multi vector attacks. The result of such attacks can be overwhelming and thwart normal business operations or worse, lead to bankruptcy.

Robust Small Business Cyber Security Can Prevent Multi Vector Attacks

As we’ve stated, comprehensive cyber security requires layers of defenses. Because more than 80 percent of attacks are made possible by user errors, employee education and training in cyber security are necessary best practices to create a continuous layer of cyber defense. When employees are trained to think before clicking on embedded links or attachments and to carefully observe domain names to be sure they are legitimate websites, they will add an essential layer of security. Preventing attacks must be top of mind for all your users every day. In addition to best practices, there are many other tools and protocols available to prevent or mitigate a cyberattack:

• Mandatory use of strong, unique passwords and secure password management
• Required multi-factor authentication (MFA) in place for all logins
• Installation and regular updating of security reporting and monitoring software to receive alerts about suspicious or unauthorized activity
• Regularly scheduled cyber security and vulnerability audits
• Installation of all firmware, system and software updates to ensure all security patches are available
• Use of data encryption as much as possible, especially for your most sensitive private data
• Limiting access privileges to employees based on what they need to perform their jobs

Since the pandemic, there has been a rapid increase in the magnitude, variety and frequency of cyberattacks. Hackers have become very adept at performing quickly executed attacks in a matter of hours. In contrast, it could take many months for SMBs to uncover a breach. Cyber defense solutions must be faster than ever at identifying compromises – and containing and eliminating them. If you do not have an IT department or dedicated employee, it is crucial to enlist the help of IT experts. After all, the security of your company is at stake.