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Tag: Cyber Attack Page 10 of 20

How To Configure A Firewall To Secure Your Business Server?

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On February 27, 2023

In Cybersecurity

A firewall acts as the first line of defense against network intruders. It works by filtering packets of incoming and outgoing data based on preset security rules. These rules are also termed as firewall configurations. The efficiency of its configuration governs the efficiency of a firewall. The configuration rules should be set to be strict enough to block malicious traffic but lenient enough to allow unobstructed data flow essential to run the website operations.

Follow these steps to ensure effective firewall configuration to secure your business server:

Secure The Firewall: The first step is to secure the firewall to prevent hackers from gaining administrative access. It is important to refrain from using a firewall that is not secured, as it can do more damage by acting as an entry point for hackers. Simple ways to secure your firewall are –

  • Regularly update the firewall to the latest versions released by the developer.
  • Delete default user accounts set by the developer and change default passwords using password reset best practices.
  • Create different accounts for users who will manage the firewall and allow permissions based on their responsibilities instead of creating shared accounts.
  • Pre-define trusted subnets from within the organizational network and allow changes from these subnets only. This helps in reducing the attack surface.

Define Firewall Zones & IP Addresses: In order to define firewall zones, first identify the assets that need to be protected and group them based on the sensitivity or risk level. Place grouped assets together in network zones. For example, group together all servers that provide services over the internet, such as VPN servers, email servers, etc., in one network zone that allows limited inbound traffic from internet. This is usually known as DMZ or a demilitarized zone. Create as many zones as logically possible. Now establish IP address scheme that compliments the zone architecture of your network. Use this as the basis to create firewall zones.

Configure ACLs: ACLs refer to access control lists. They are the defining rules of the traffic that will be permitted to every interface and sub-interface of the firewall. An ACL should include well-defined specifications such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and deny all button to block all unapproved traffic. Make sure to apply both inbound and outbound ACLs to every interface and sub-interface. Also, refrain from granting public access to firewall administration interfaces to prevent outside threats.

Configure Other Services: Check if the firewall you are deploying has add-on capabilities to act as DHCP server, NTP server, or Intrusion Prevention Server. In such case, make sure to configure these services. Additionally, configure the firewall to report to your logging server.

Test The Configuration: Run vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to make sure the firewall is blocking traffic as per ACLs. Create a backup of the firewall configuration for future reference. Make sure to run regular tests to ensure the efficiency of the firewall.

To know more about protecting your business network from cyberattcks, contact Centex Technologies. You can contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454.

 

How To Prevent Lateral Movement Of Cyber Attacks?

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On February 27, 2023

In Cybersecurity

Spreading malware or virus across the network is a technique used by cyber attackers to spread their attack surface. By preventing lateral movement, organizations can limit the scope of a cyber-attack and minimize the damage caused.

Lateral movement cyberattack comprises the following steps:

  • Initial compromise to gain access
  • Reconnaissance to figure out the level of access and find targets
  • Privilege escalation to gain a higher access level
  • Lateral movement to infect targeted devices or apps

Preventing lateral movement is an ongoing and multifaceted effort that requires a constant focus on improving security measures to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Here are some steps to prevent lateral movement during a cyber-attack:

Limiting Access To System

The first step in preventing lateral movement is to limit access to critical systems and sensitive information. This can be done by implementing access controls, such as strong authentication mechanisms like Multifactor Authentication, and restricting user privileges.

Segmenting Networks

Segmenting a network prevents attackers from gaining access to other subnetworks. Segmenting can be done by implementing firewalls and routers to isolate different parts of the network.

Adopting Zero Trust

A Zero-trust architecture enhances security measures by assuming that any network traffic, whether internal or external, may pose a potential security risk. The system verifies and validates each access request which prevents system intrusion.

Network Traffic Monitoring

Monitoring network traffic can be done by implementing intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security information & event management (SIEM) solutions. These solutions can analyze network traffic, detect suspicious activity, and alert security teams.

Patching and Updating Systems

It is essential to regularly patch and update all systems and software to eliminate vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to move laterally.

Implementing Least Privilege

By implementing the least privilege to user accounts, attackers will have limited access to systems and data, reducing the potential damage of a successful attack.

Using Endpoint Protection

Endpoint protection solutions (like antivirus/ firewall software) on all devices connected to the network can help prevent lateral movement by detecting and blocking malicious files and programs.

Conducting Security Audits

Security audits can help identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the network, and the results can be used to improve the security posture of the network and prevent lateral movement.

Training Employees

Employees should be trained on best practices for security, such as how to create strong passwords and how identify phishing emails.

To summarize, preventing lateral movement is vital for safeguarding against cyber-attacks. It’s crucial to adopt a comprehensive security approach and consistently assess and enhance the network’s security posture.

At Centex Technologies, we offer cutting-edge solutions to protect your business from evolving cyber threats. To know more about cybersecurity solutions, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454.

Top Ways to Integrate Cyber Security Automation in An Organization

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On February 17, 2023

In Security

PDF Version: top-ways-to-integrate-cyber-security-automation-in-an-organization

Types of Targeted DDoS Attacks

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On November 29, 2022

In Security

PDF Version: types-of-targeted-ddos-attacks

What Is BitPaymer Ransomware?

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On November 28, 2022

In Cybersecurity

BitPaymer is a ransomware type cyber threat that typically targets Windows-based systems on a compromised network. Also known as “wp_encrypt,” it was first discovered in 2017 and has launched different versions since then.

What Are The Attack Vectors of BitPaymer Ransomware?

BitPaymer uses multiple attack vectors to infiltrate the target network or system. The most commonly used attack vectors are:

  1. Phishing emails targeting organization’s employees
  2. Software downloads via third party, fake or malicious links
  3. Brute force attacks

What Does BitPaymer Ransomware Do?

BitPaymer Ransomware uses multiple steps to spread laterally across a network & infect multiple systems. Let us understand how the ransomware works:

  1. After infecting a system, the ransomware conceals itself & stays in the victim system to gather information such as login credentials, shared drives, IP addresses, private network details, etc.
  2. It further scans for servers running Microsoft Exchange & Microsoft SQL.
  3. The malware then penetrates Active Directory running on the network for lateral movement by infecting all other systems connected to the network.
  4. Once the systems are infected, the ransomware now encrypts all the files on the victim systems using RC4 and RSA-1024 encryption algorithms.
  5. The encrypted files are saved using “.locked” file extension. Some new versions of the BitPaymer ransomware use “.LOCK” as the file extension.
  6. A text file is generated for every encrypted file with extension “readme_txt” to inform the victim of encryption and provide details to contact the hacker.
  7. The ransomware also deletes the recovery checkpoints from the Windows system.
  8. A personalized ransomware note is also left on the desktop which includes ransom fee and steps that should be taken for data recovery.

What Makes BitPaymer Ransomware Unique?

BitPaymer Ransomware differs from other ransomware in many ways:

  1. The ransomware is very well-coded as compared to majority of ransomware that use Ransomware-As-A-Service codes.
  2. The hackers manually attack the Active Directory running on the network & also spend time to know the victim thoroughly.
  3. In some strains of the ransomware, the hackers build custom binary for every victim and even use the victim organization’s name in encrypted file extension.
  4. The ransomware makes extensive efforts to stay concealed in the target system.

How To Stay Protected Against BitPaymer Ransomware?

  1. Educate employees by conducting cyber security workshops to make them capable of spotting phishing attacks.
  2. Ensure regular data backup at multiple locations.
  3. Thoroughly review all RDP connections & secure them.
  4. Make sure to download & install the latest security updates on all servers & systems.

To know more about cyber security solutions for businesses, contact Centex Technologies. You can contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454.

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