Threat vectors are the potential ways cybercriminals can manipulate a computer network to access your data and other confidential information. Comprehensively understanding these threat or attack vectors empowers you to build robust defenses and maintain a resilient cybersecurity posture.

Malware

Malware can come in various forms like viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware. Each type of malware has its way of wreaking havoc. For example, ransomware encrypts your files and holds them hostage until you pay a ransom. It's digital extortion.

One sneaky method cybercriminals use to infiltrate computer networks is through software vulnerabilities. Sometimes, the software you use might have security flaws. Hackers exploit these flaws to inject malware into your systems. The WannaCry ransomware attack, for example, exploited a vulnerability in Windows to infect computers worldwide.

Drive-by downloads are another nasty malware infection tactic used by hackers. You might visit a website that looks completely harmless, but, unbeknownst to you, it might have malicious code hidden on it. Just by visiting the site, the malware can download onto your device without you even knowing.

USB drives are also notorious for spreading malware. Someone might find an infected USB drive and plug it into their computer out of curiosity. Before you know it, the malware spreads across the network, causing all sorts of problems.

Then there is the phenomenon of malicious ads, or "malvertising." With this threat vector, you could be on a reputable website and still et hit. Malicious ads can appear on legitimate sites and, when clicked, they can download malware onto your device.

File-sharing applications can also be risky. People often download files from peer-to-peer networks without knowing the source. These files can be a breeding ground for malware.

Lastly, social engineering tactics can trick employees into downloading malware. Hackers might pretend to be tech support or another trusted entity, convincing someone to install malicious software. 

Phishing

Phishing is when attackers pretend to be someone trustworthy to trick you into giving up sensitive information. You've probably seen those fake emails that look like they're from your bank or a popular online service. 

The emails might tell you there's been suspicious activity on your account and ask you to click a link to verify your details. Once you click, you’re taken to a site that looks real but is designed to steal your info.

There are even sophisticated attacks where the phishing email comes from a colleague's compromised account. It feels personal and urgent, like a quick request to review a document or a link to shared resources. When you take the bait, it can lead to malware installation or data breaches.

It’s not just emails, though. SMS phishing, or "smishing," uses text messages to lure victims. With this one, you get a text from what seems like your mobile carrier asking you to resolve a billing issue. The link provided will take you to a counterfeit site asking for your login credentials.

There are also targeted phishing attacks, known as “spear phishing.” These focus on specific individuals within an organization. Attackers research their prey, making the emails highly convincing. For example, a CFO might get an email that seems to come directly from the CEO, requesting a wire transfer for an urgent business deal.

It’s crucial to stay vigilant and cautious. Always double-check email addresses, look for signs of urgency or panic, and never click on links unless you are absolutely sure they're legit. It's crucial to have up-to-date security training and tools to help detect these threats.

Insider threats

Insiders are the people you trust the most: your employees, contractors, and even business partners. These people already have access to your systems and data, so it’s very easy for them to launch attacks. 

Sometimes, these insiders might act maliciously, driven by anger or the desire for financial gain. Disgruntled employees, for example, know the ins and outs of your defenses, making them particularly dangerous.

For instance, imagine an employee who feels underappreciated and might decide to get back at the company. They could steal sensitive data or sabotage your systems. It’s not just limited to high-level data theft. Even subtle actions, like changing configuration settings, can cause significant damage over time. 

Take the example of Edward Snowden. As an employee of an NSA contractor, he leveraged his access to siphon off vast amounts of classified information and leak it to the public. This case highlights how damaging insider threats can be, especially when the insider has high-level access.

It’s essential to keep a close watch on potential malicious activities within your organization. Monitoring data and network access for every device and user can expose insider risks. Be vigilant, especially with those who have access to sensitive data. Unusual access patterns or data transfers might be an early warning sign of insider activity.

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack 

DDoS attacks are designed to overwhelm your systems, making your services unavailable to legitimate users. When an attacker initiates a DDoS attack, they flood the target network, server, or application with a massive amount of traffic. 

DDoS traffic usually comes from a network of compromised computers, often called a botnet. For example, the Mirai botnet took control of thousands of IoT devices to launch some of the largest DDoS attacks ever recorded.

A common type of DDoS threat vector is the SYN flood attack. Here, attackers send a barrage of SYN requests to initiate TCP connections without completing the handshake process. This leaves the server swamped with half-open connections, ultimately exhausting system resources.

Another variant of the DDoS threat vector is the DNS amplification attack. Here, attackers exploit DNS servers to amplify traffic directed at the target. By sending a small query with a spoofed IP address (the target’s IP), they trigger large responses sent to the target. 

The DNS amplification technique doesn't require much bandwidth from the attacker but can devastate the victim’s network. Imagine receiving hundreds of thousands of DNS responses all at once; it would be like trying to drink from a firehose.

Application layer attacks, like HTTP Floods, are also a real threat. These attacks focus on exhausting the resources at the application layer by sending numerous HTTP requests. They are harder to detect because they mimic legitimate user behavior. 

For example, an attacker could inundate a login page with traffic, causing a slowdown or crash, which would frustrate actual users trying to access their accounts.

Lastly, volumetric attacks are the most straightforward but extremely effective. Attackers generate massive volumes of traffic to saturate the target’s bandwidth. It’s like trying to get onto a highway that’s been flooded with bumper-to-bumper traffic; you’re not going anywhere anytime soon. 

Recent volumetric attacks have leveraged reflection techniques, like NTP and Memcached amplification, to reach traffic peaks of over a terabit per second.

Understanding these different vectors can help in setting up robust defenses. Firewalls, Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), and DDoS mitigation services are critical components of a comprehensive strategy to guard against these disruptive attacks.

Advanced persistent threats (APTs)

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are some of the most insidious threats to enterprise networks. They are typically orchestrated by well-resourced and skilled adversaries. Their goal isn't just a quick smash-and-grab; they aim for long-term access to sensitive information.

One common vector for APTs is spear-phishing. This isn't your average phishing attempt. Spear-phishing emails are highly targeted and customized to their victims. 

Another APT vector involves exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities. These are security weaknesses in software that are unknown to the vendor. Attackers discover these flaws before the software developers do. 

For instance, Stuxnet, the infamous worm, exploited multiple zero-day vulnerabilities to sabotage Iran's nuclear program. It remained undetected for years, highlighting the stealthy nature of APTs.

Supply chain attacks are also a favorite tactic for APTs. Here, the attackers target a less secure part of the supply chain to eventually breach the main target. A notable case is the SolarWinds attack. Hackers compromised the Orion software update mechanism, which led to several high-profile breaches, including major U.S. government agencies.

Weaknesses in network protocol implementations can be another entry point. Some APTs exploit outdated or vulnerable protocol stacks to establish a foothold. For example, the EternalBlue exploit used by WannaCry ransomware took advantage of a vulnerability in the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.

APTs can also leverage insider threats. This is where a current or former employee, intentionally or unintentionally, provides a gateway into the network. 

Each of these vectors shows that APTs require a multi-layered defense strategy. The battle against APTs is ongoing, and it demands vigilance and advanced security measures at every level of the enterprise network.

Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks

Man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM) happen when someone sneaks into your communication without you knowing. Think of it like someone eavesdropping on your private conversation. This person can see and even change what you are saying.

One way attackers launch MitM attacks is through a rogue access point. Devices, like your phone or laptop, often connect to the strongest Wi-Fi signal automatically. An attacker can set up a fake Wi-Fi hotspot that looks legitimate. Your device connects, and now the attacker can see everything you're doing online.

Another method is ARP spoofing. In a local network, devices use ARP to map IP addresses to physical MAC addresses. An attacker can send fake messages, tricking your device into thinking it's talking to another device.

Once they successfully insert themselves, the attacker can intercept and alter the data between the two devices. For example, when you're logging into your bank account, the attacker could steal your session tokens and access your account.

Then there's mDNS spoofing, which exploits local name resolution systems. These systems are supposed to make it easy to find devices like printers or TVs in your network. But an attacker can respond to a request with fake information, making your device connect to theirs instead.

DNS spoofing is another way malicious actors can launch MitM attacks. DNS helps resolve domain names to IP addresses. If an attacker manages to introduce false DNS information, they can make your device send data to their malicious server instead of the legitimate one.

Attackers also use sniffing to capture your data packets. They use special wireless devices to see data meant for other devices. This data can be extremely sensitive, revealing personal information or login credentials.

Packet injection is a particularly sneaky MitM method of attack. Attackers add malicious packets into data streams. These packets look normal but carry harmful payloads. They usually look at the data first (sniffing) to know how and when to inject their packets.

Session hijacking is another MitM threat vector network users must protect themselves from. Many web applications use login mechanisms that generate session tokens. Attackers can sniff these tokens and then use them to act as if they're you. They don’t even need to spoof anything after they have the token.

SSL stripping is another MitM technique used by attackers. We often use HTTPS for secure communication, but attackers can intercept and alter these packets, forcing your browser to use HTTP instead. This means your data is no longer encrypted and can be read in plain text by the attacker.

Understanding all these attack vectors helps you know where to strengthen defenses and be more vigilant about your online activities. Every vector you can insulate your network from reduces the attack surface.