More and more cybercriminals are launching watering hole attacks to gain access to company networks. But what is a watering hole attack exactly, and how can you protect yourself from it? Read on to learn more about this type of cyber attack.
How a watering hole attack works
The term “watering hole” colloquially refers to a social gathering place where a particular group of people often go to. As internet users, we all have unique “watering holes” or websites that we frequently visit. For example, a financial analyst is likely to visit websites related to financial investments and market trends.
So what is a watering hole attack? In a watering hole attack, cybercriminals observe the watering holes of a specific demographic and infect their targets’ most visited websites with malware. With this form of baiting attack, a user who has the misfortune of visiting any of these compromised sites will then have their device automatically loaded with malware.
The malware used in these cyber attacks usually collects the victim’s personal information through phishing and sends it back to the hacker’s server. In extreme cases, the hacker can also actively take control of the infected device using this type of cyber attack.
But how does a cybercriminal choose which websites to hack?
With internet tracking tools, hackers can easily find out which websites individual users visit the most. Hackers then attempt to find vulnerabilities in those websites and embed them with malicious software to
How to prepare for a cyber attack
Hackers these days are so highly skilled that they can exploit any website using a watering hole attack. Even specific ethnic communities and demographics have become targets of this scheme.
Protect yourself and your business from watering hole attacks by doing the following:
Update your software
A watering hole attack often exploits security gaps and vulnerabilities to infiltrate computers and networks. You can significantly reduce the risk of a cyber attack by regularly updating all of your software and browsers. Make it a habit to check the software developer’s website for any security patches. Better yet, hire a managed IT services provider to keep your system up to date.
Closely monitor your network
Regularly conduct security checks using network security tools like intrusion prevention systems that detect and contain suspicious or malicious network activities before they cause problems. Consider using bandwidth management software to enable you to observe user behavior and detect abnormalities that could indicate a cyber attack, such as large data transfers or a high number of downloads.
A watering hole attack can be devastating to businesses of all sizes and even lead to data loss. By staying informed and taking steps to protect your business, you can minimize the risk of becoming a victim. Contact us today to learn more ways to keep your business safe from watering hole attacks and other cyber attacks.