What are the Dangers of Rootkits?

Hackers, Ophtek, Rootkit, Security, , ,
27
Aug 2019

What’s worse than one piece of malware? Multiple strains of malware. And, when you encounter a rootkit, this is exactly what you’re faced with.

Rootkits are a very serious form of malware. They’re not a new method of hacking, they have been present for close to 30 years now, but they’re still notoriously difficult to treat. There are many dangers associated with rootkits with the primary concerns being that they remain hidden on PCs and grant remote access to hackers.

Understanding what a rootkit is can be complex, but we’re going to break it down into the basics for you. And, with this on your side, your organization should become that little bit securer.

What is a Rootkit?

Rootkits are a collection of tools that allow hackers to gain unauthorized access to a PC. They’re stealthy pieces of kit that can evade security software, so detecting that a rootkit has infected your system is a task all of its own. The major threat, however, comes from the payload within a rootkit. The contents of a rootkit can include the following:

  • Keystroke loggers
  • Ransomware
  • Trojans
  • Bot software for initiating DDoS attacks

And, once it has been activated, a rootkit will commonly set up a backdoor exploit. This allows the hacker to gain access, without detection, to an infected PC as and when they want. Not only will this allow the hacker to take control of the PC, but it also grants them the opportunity to download further malware to the workstation.

How are Rootkits Spread?

Rootkits are clearly a formidable foe to encounter, but how do they spread? Rootkits, as with most forms of malware, favor the standard distribution methods:

  • Email: Rootkits are most commonly found on emails as attachments, but email also has the potential to contain links to malicious websites. 
  • USB Drives: The relatively small size of a rootkit makes them perfect for loading on to USB devices such as flash drives. These can then be uploaded seamlessly to a PC once plugged in. 
  • Vulnerabilities: Hackers are often able to gain access to a PC due to vulnerabilities in the OS or a particular piece of software on that system. These vulnerabilities will often allow unauthorized access and the chance to install rootkits without detection.

How Do You Protect Against Rootkits?

The last thing that your organization wants is to fall victim to a rootkit. Their stealthy nature makes them difficult to detect and thoroughly removing every trace of their multiple payload is time consuming.

Therefore, you need to set up a system of best practices that look to minimize the risk of unleashing a rootkit on your network. Make sure that the following is in place:

  • Carry out IT Inductions: It’s crucial that all employees are put through an IT induction when they join your organization.
  • Install all Updates: Rootkits often take hold of system through the exploitation of vulnerabilities. If you make sure that system updates are installed as soon as possible then you minimize the risk of these exploits.
  • Work with Anti-Malware Software: You can’t identify every type of rootkit with anti-malware software, but you can identify a large number of them before they take hold. And this software is also capable of identifying malicious websites before they are accessed.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Windows Hit by New Enabler Malware

Cyber Security, malware, Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, , , ,
20
Aug 2019

Malware is well known for infecting systems and causing major problems from the second it’s executed. But certain strains of malware act as an enabler.

Security researchers have recently discovered one of these enablers and dubbed it SystemBC. It’s important to stress that SystemBC isn’t an immediate attack. However, it’s just as dangerous as your everyday malware. If not more dangerous. And this is why understanding how an enabler works is crucial for the security of your organization.

It’s always important, where PC security is concerned, to be proactive. So, to help you enhance your organization’s defenses, we’re going to run over the principles of the SystemBC malware.

What is the SystemBC Malware?

The simplest definition of SystemBC is that it enables other malware to unleash attacks. But how does it do this? The answer lies within SOCKS5 proxies. The average PC user will be unaware of what SOCKS5 proxies are, but this doesn’t mean they are impossible to understand. SOCKS5 is a method of internet communication that takes place between a client and a server. And it’s most commonly used in authorizing access to servers.

SystemBC takes advantage of these SOCKS5 proxies to overcome security systems and exploit vulnerabilities. The main method of exploitation is to illegally access a server and then install a command and control (C&C) server. With this C&C in place, SystemBC has the ability to cloak traffic and activity from other malware which can then spread outwards through the server.

How is SystemBC Distributed?

SystemBC has, at the time of writing, been discovered in both the Fallout and RIG exploit kits. These kits allow hackers to package together several different exploits in one product. These assorted exploits can work in synchronicity with each other or independently. And this makes them very dangerous. The Fallout and RIG exploit kits tend to focus on vulnerabilities in Flash and Internet Explorer, an approach which is exceptionally common when it comes to hacking.

Protecting Your Organization from SystemBC

The key to protecting your server from the threat of SystemBC is by being vigilant. Software patches remain the number one preventative measure when it comes to combating vulnerabilities. Software developers release these on a fairly regular basis, but also in emergencies when major vulnerabilities are discovered. And they need to be installed immediately. An exposed entry point to your network is a major threat to your security and plugging it is crucial.

One of the major problems facing organizations, in terms of IT security, is the use of legacy systems. These are systems which no longer receive support from their developers. If a vulnerability is discovered in such a system then it will remain there. It will not be resolved. Therefore, it’s vital that your organization regularly assesses the suitability of your PC systems for engaging with the internet. If a particular part of your network is no longer supported then it’s time to replace it. Otherwise you could soon find malware such as SystemBC making its home on your server.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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7 Tips for Keeping Your Sensitive Data Secure

Cloud Storage, Data Backup, Data Security, Ophtek, Password Security, Security, Updates, USB Flash Drives, , ,
13
Aug 2019

Data will always be one of the cornerstones of your business. But keeping this data secure in the 21st century is a big ask. So, how do you protect it?

A staggering amount of data is created every single day and your business will contribute to this with each order placed, every service request logged and all the mailing lists you create. Data such as this is sensitive and needs to be protected. If personal details are compromised then they can be used for fraudulent purposes. Your customers need to trust your organization to handle and protect their data correctly. But in a world full of hackers, malware and social engineering it can feel like an uphill struggle.

However, you can make a significant difference to your data protection. And it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you can elevate the security of your data quickly and effectively. All you have to do is follow our 7 tips for keeping your sensitive data secure.

  1. Use Cloud Storage

Individual PCs can become compromised by security breaches. And this means that the data stored on this hardware is up for grabs. But if this data is stored remotely it’s securer and less likely to be stolen. The perfect way to achieve this is by investing in remote cloud storage.

  1. Never Display Passwords

Passwords should never be displayed e.g. written on a Post-It note stuck to your monitor. Hackers don’t have to be external figures, they can easily be an internal threat. Therefore, create passwords which you can remember easily and don’t need to have visible reminders for.

  1. Make Sure Deleted Files are Overwritten

A deleted file isn’t necessarily deleted. And a hacker who knows what they’re doing can easily retrieve those files you thought were deleted for all eternity. But if these deleted files are overwritten enough times then you can make it impossible to retrieve them from your hard drive.

  1. Always Encrypt USB Sticks

USB sticks are useful for carrying around large amounts of data in a small space, but their small size means they’re easy to lose. Therefore, you should always ensure that data on these devices is encrypted and password protected.

  1. Install Anti-Malware Protection

You can never take enough precautions when it comes to data security, so anti-malware software should always form part of your strategy. Malware operates stealthily and can steal your data at a rapid pace. But with anti-malware protection in place you can reduce the risk of malware getting a foothold in your system.

  1. Always Install Updates

PC software and hardware is prone to security vulnerabilities. And these vulnerabilities give hackers the opportunity to access your systems and your data. Installing all updates at the earliest opportunity helps you to avoid having your systems and data compromised.

  1. Destroy Old Hard Drives

Technology advances at a rapid pace and PC hardware can soon become obsolete in the face of newer, faster technology. Hard drives are a case in point. But you need to make sure old hard drives are disposed of correctly. They contain a lot of data, so need to be thoroughly cleaned and then shredded to prevent any sensitive data being made available to external sources.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What are Malicious Websites?

Adobe Flash, anti malware, Company Updates, Hackers, malicious code, malware, Ophtek, PC Security, Security, , , ,
06
Aug 2019

 

We visit websites on a daily basis, but how do we know how safe they are? No matter how genuine they look there’s every risk they’re a malicious website.

It’s estimated that up to 18.5 million websites are infected with malicious content. That’s around 1% of the total number of websites online. It may not sound a huge percentage, but it’s a percentage that could cause your business significant trouble.  And it’s a problem that most organizations aren’t entirely clear on. Malicious emails, for example, are well known due to the scare stories that flood our newsfeeds. But we’re less informed about malicious websites. And that’s what makes them dangerous.

However, if you’re able to understand the basics of a malicious website then you’re going to be in a much better position to avoid falling victim. So, what are malicious websites?

What is a Malicious Website?

A malicious website is like any other website on the internet: you connect to it with a browser. But if you dig a little deeper you’ll soon realize why it’s unlikely to become one of your favorite websites. The main objective of a malicious website is to install malware on to your PC. And, in most cases, it won’t even ask permission. The moment that you land on a malicious website is the moment that the malware starts downloading.

But why is a malicious website so misleading? Well, hackers are incredibly clever and they’re even more deceptive. That’s why they design malicious websites to look as genuine as possible. We, as humans, make quick decisions based on first impressions and, in this busy digital age, this is never truer than when online. Malicious websites take full advantage of this. And the false layer of trust that this engenders can soon lead to us clicking on links that we really shouldn’t.

How Do You Protect Yourself from Malicious Websites?

No one wants to fall victim to a malicious website. But, without a prior knowledge of how to protect yourself, this is difficult. Thankfully we’re here to make things easier. That’s why we’ve put together this amazing set of safety tips:

  • Always keep your software updated and install the latest patches as soon as possible. Malicious websites are often used to distribute malware that targets software vulnerabilities. With this updated protection in place you can minimize one of the main threats of malicious websites.
  • It’s vital that you never install any software you’re unfamiliar with. Malicious websites are sometimes courteous enough to ask permission before installing their malicious content. And it’s easy to click the Yes button just to clear the screen of yet another pop-up window. But it can spell disaster for your PC. Therefore, always read pop-up windows carefully and, if you don’t trust it, leave that website immediately.
  • If you’re sent a link to a website that’s unfamiliar then you shouldn’t click it. But you should do some research first. The best way to verify a mystery link is to type that link into the search box of a search engine. The results should soon highlight whether that web address is trustworthy or dangerous.
  • Install internet security software that can identify malicious websites before they’re loaded up. Knowledge of malicious websites can spread quickly and this has led to massive databases being created to help alert users to those that contain a threat.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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