Defending yourself against cyber “watering hole” attacks

Defending yourself against cyber “watering hole” attacks

 Cyberattacks continue to grab headlines throughout 2023 as hacking and IT incidents affected government agencies and major companies. In a recent report by CloudSEK XVigil, it has been revealed that the cybersecurity landscape witnessed a significant surge in cyberattacks aimed at government agencies. The data shows a staggering 95% increase in such attacks in 2022 when compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Notably, these malicious activities predominantly targeted government organizations situated in key regions like India, the United States, Indonesia, and China, collectively contributing to around 40% of all recorded incidents. These alarming statistics emphasize the growing threats faced by governmental bodies in the realm of cybersecurity, highlighting the need for robust defenses to mitigate the risks associated with these sophisticated attacks.

Local governments have also been targeted by cybercriminals during the COVID-19 pandemic. These attacks have ranged from ransomware attacks that have disabled government systems to phishing attacks that have stolen sensitive data. In some cases, these attacks have even caused disruption to essential services, such as water and power.

For example, in 2021, the city of Atlanta was hit by a ransomware attack that caused widespread disruption to city services. The attack forced the city to shut down its computer systems, which disrupted everything from police and fire services to water billing. The city eventually paid a ransom of $51,000 to regain access to its systems.

These attacks are a reminder that even local governments are not immune to cybercrime. Local governments need to take steps to protect themselves from these attacks, such as investing in cybersecurity measures and training employees.

In a world where cyber threats are becoming more and more sophisticated, it is important to know the basics of what you're dealing with. More and more cybercriminals are launching something called watering hole attacks to gain access into company networks.  

But what exactly is a "watering hole" attack, and how can you protect yourself from them? Keep listening for helpful tips to protect yourself from this growing problem! 

 How do watering hole attacks work? 

You can think of a watering hole as an online gathering place where people go to read, chat, and discuss topics that interest them. For example, a finance analyst might visit websites related to investments and market trends on Wall Street; while another person might enjoy browsing fashion blogs for fun - there really is not one perfect place where everyone goes! 

 Cybercriminals have been using watering hole attacks for years to silently install malware on people's computers. They can even identify the demographics of a specific group and then compromise websites that they visit most often. A user who has the misfortune of visiting one of these compromised sites could have their device automatically loaded with malware. 

 Malware is used to steal your personal information and send it back to the hackers. In some cases, they will also take control over the infected device! 

 Ok, but how do cybercriminals choose websites to hack? 

 Hackers use various techniques including stealthily loading malicious software onto websites that users visit in order to track what pages each visitor views most often and which links they clicks while visiting other sites - all this information helps them find vulnerabilities within those same websites so their own malware will be able execute more easily when someone else opens up an infected page without realizing anything is amiss! 

 3 Tips to defend against these types of threats 

 Hackers have become increasingly sophisticated, and a watering hole attack can be used to exploit any website. Even local government systems have become targets of this scheme. 

You can protect your practice and yourself from these cyber-attacks by doing the following: 

Updating your software 

Watering hole attacks will often use security gaps and vulnerabilities to infiltrate computers and networks. By regularly updating all of your software and browsers, you make it more difficult for hackers to complete their mission. You can also make it easier for a managed IT services provider to keep your system updated by hiring them as soon as possible. 

Closely monitor your network 

Perform regular security checks using network security tools, such as intrusion prevention systems. These tools detect and contain suspicious or malicious network activities before they cause problems. Consider using bandwidth management software which will enable you to observe user behavior and detect abnormalities that could indicate an attack, such as large data transfers or a high number of downloads. 

Hide your online activities 

Use a VPN along with your browser’s private browsing feature to hide your team’s online activities. It is also possible to block social media sites from the office network, as these are often used as distribution points for links to infected sites. 

Watering hole attacks on businesses of all sizes have a serious negative impact on their ability to operate. By staying informed and taking steps to protect your medical practice, you can minimize the risk of becoming a victim.  

Cybersecurity is an investment in the longevity of your local government and an important tool for safeguarding the public's trust.