The more privileges a user or an app gets, the greater the potential for abuse or error. Implementing privileged access management (PAM) provides several benefits, including a smaller attack surface, which is easier to protect against internal and external threats.
In simple terms, one of the most direct ways to implement Privileged Access Management is by removing local administrator rights from users on their computers. This is important because attackers often try to take control of a user’s computer and install malicious software. Without admin rights, users can’t install software on their own—so any installation must go through an approval process.
By using PAM and limiting admin rights, organizations reduce the risk of unauthorized or harmful software being installed.
Benefits of Privileged Access Management (PAM)
Here are just some of the reasons why all organizations need privileged access management.
Reduce malware infection likelihood
Many types of malware (e.g. SQL injections) rely on elevated privileges to install or execute. Therefore, removing excessive privileges or just implementing the least privilege policies across the company can successfully prevent malware.
Help achieve compliance
By reducing the privileged activities a user can perform, PAM helps create a less complex, more secure, and compliant environment.
Help achieve cyber insurance requirements
Ransomware attacks and ransom payouts have increased exponentially. Cyber insurers recommend organizations to increase PAM controls in order to reduce risks and liability.
Cyber insurers often require PAM controls to renew or obtain new cyber liability coverage: a PAM system to manage privileged access and accounts, removal of local admin rights, etc.
Also, many compliance regulations, such as HIPAA or PCI, require organizations to apply the least privilege access policies for data and systems security.
Privileged Access Management Best Practices
The more comprehensive your IT security policies, the better you will be able to prevent or mitigate insider and external threats while meeting compliance standards.
Here is an overview of the most important privileged access management best practices:
- Create and enforce a complex privileged access management policy
The policy should clearly indicate how privileged access and accounts are commissioned and decommissioned, the hierarchy of privileged users and accounts, etc.
This means that your IT security team should get all privileged accounts and credentials under management: application accounts, database accounts, local accounts, cloud accounts, SSH keys and passwords, including those used by third parties.
Your IT security team will look across operating systems, hardware devices, firewalls, routers, etc.
The PAM policy should emphasize where and how privileged passwords are being used and help reveal security vulnerabilities like old passwords/accounts, reused SSH keys, and so on.
- Apply rules-based permissions
Rules-based permissions should be enforced to elevate privileges as needed to perform specific actions and should be revoked after completion. If access is not provided but required, the user can submit a special request for approval.
The least privilege approach is not just about limiting access but also about the duration of access.
- Enforce separation of duties
Privilege separation measures include separating administrative account capabilities from standard account capabilities.
When the least privilege approach is in place, you should consider separation of duties. Each privileged account should be able to perform only a distinct set of tasks.
- Monitor and audit access privileges frequently
Implementing privileged session management and monitoring (PSM) is essential for detecting suspicious activities and efficiently investigating risky privileged sessions.
Privileged session monitoring and management capabilities are required for achieving regulatory compliance (e.g., HIPAA, PCI, SOX).
- Network and system segmentation
Segment systems and networks to distinguish between users and processes based on levels of trust and needs. Higher trust levels should be at the center of your security policy.
- Implement context-based access
This is basically the zero-trust principle which involves delivering just enough access, in time, and in the proper context. This is handled by assessing multiple inputs in real-time: vulnerability/threat data for a target asset, geolocation, user data, and several others to determine how much and for how long a privilege can be provisioned.
Enabling dynamic risk-based access will allow you to automatically limit privileges and prevent any unsafe activities every time a known threat or potential compromise exists for a user, asset, or system.
- Secure privileged task automation (PTA) workflows
Privileged task automation, such as robotic process automation (RPA) that leverage privileged credentials and elevated access are increasingly embedded within modern IT environments and require many moving parts that need to be audited for privileged access.
- Monitor user behavior
Establish standard behavior for privileged user behavioral activity (PUBA) and privileged access. Monitor and alert in case of any deviations from the standard.
Conclusion
Limiting privileges for people, processes, and applications ultimately means the pathways and entrances for exploitation will be reduced.
Accumulating as much data as possible is not the answer. Most important is to have the needed data that enables you to make prompt, informed decisions while keeping all your systems safe and secure.
The Zero Trust Security Framework
/in IT Security, Tech Tips /by MihaiAs organizations continue to embrace flexible/remote work, a comprehensive approach to IT security is more than necessary, it is crucial.
The Zero Trust security works on a basic principle: never trust, always verify. So, regardless of the user, device, or application, Zero Trust security ensures every access request is carefully verified.
Zero Trust & Data Protection
The implicit trust approach is risky as the modern workforce is becoming increasingly mobile. Zero trust, in contrast to the traditional approach, constantly checks each access request to make sure that only users with the appropriate rights may access sensitive files or applications. This approach makes granular access restrictions and data-centric security imperative.
Therefore, all-access requests should be considered harmful, regardless of whether they are for files, apps, or services.
Key Benefits of Zero Trust Architecture
A Zero Trust architecture reduces considerably the attack surface and protects against a wide array of cyberattacks.
It provides secure application access based on account permissions for staff members and third-party users.
Access related decisions are based on pre-established rules that verify behavioral characteristics, device health, user identification, and real-time risk assessments.
Cybersecurity teams need to adapt the access strategy and technologies to ensure the business is secure, while enabling fast and simple access for all users, including third-party users.
It helps ensure compliance, trust, and prevents cyberattacks.
The IT security teams need to make sure that access is only allowed under very specific circumstances, users and devices will be regularly checked every time they try to connect to a network, application, or service.
Zero Trust security can improve your company’s security posture while reducing the risk of phishing, malware, ransomware, DNS attacks, etc.
It reduces complexity and saves resources.
Traditional technology deployment can take weeks (several hardware and software components) using valuable resources. A Zero Trust security model can reduce architectural complexity.
A Successful Zero Trust Setup
Set Your Priorities
Protecting business sensitive data is the primary objective of the setup. To achieve this, begin by assigning sensitivity ratings based on risk levels. This is the foundation of your entire zero trust setup.
Determine Users & Access Needs
Strict access and identity management are required in a Zero Trust approach. Organizations must implement least privilege access across all accounts and only provide access based on user-task combinations.
Create The Security Architecture
Create a security architecture to efficiently reduce risks. Implement zero trust data protection measures based on your infrastructure’s complexity, allocated budget, and IT resources. Apply industry best practices and regulatory needs.
Examine Access to Data
Find out how systems and users interact. Only authorized connections should be able to access certain databases and applications.
Track access trends using data-centric security techniques. Potential attacks may be indicated by suspicious activities, for instance, illegal data extraction.
Additionally, AI-driven analytics should be used for threat identification and mitigation.
Automate Procedures for Improved Security
Automate security. To protect data while it is in transit and at rest you should consider using encryption, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Identity and Access Management (IAM) to validate user identity.
Automated monitoring ensures ongoing threat detection and compliance.
Establish Success Metrics
Create key performance indicators (KPIs) to accurately measure the success of your Zero Trust data security plan. Increasing MFA usage, decreasing disproportionate access rights, and securing executive support are a few examples of possible measurements.
Zero Trust process in a helpdesk (especially via a Managed IT service Provider – MSP)
How does the helpdesk of an MSP know if it’s you calling and not an imposter? Make sure your MSP uses a “Zero-Trust Policy” when it comes to verifying the user for specific requests. For example, when a request comes in for a password reset, account creation, or for added permissions, your MSP should verify the user by sending a verification code via text/SMS or via an authenticator app (Microsoft Authenticator or Duo).
Conclusion
With the Zero Trust security approach, organizations can successfully impose least privilege access, identity verification, and ongoing monitoring.
Your IT security strategy should cover all systems, applications, and datasets as each is a resource in need of cybersecurity policies. Make sure to plan and partner with the right team for professional implementation.
Privileged Access Management: Best Practices
/in IT Security, Tech Tips /by MihaiThe more privileges a user or an app gets, the greater the potential for abuse or error. Implementing privileged access management (PAM) provides several benefits, including a smaller attack surface, which is easier to protect against internal and external threats.
In simple terms, one of the most direct ways to implement Privileged Access Management is by removing local administrator rights from users on their computers. This is important because attackers often try to take control of a user’s computer and install malicious software. Without admin rights, users can’t install software on their own—so any installation must go through an approval process.
By using PAM and limiting admin rights, organizations reduce the risk of unauthorized or harmful software being installed.
Benefits of Privileged Access Management (PAM)
Here are just some of the reasons why all organizations need privileged access management.
Reduce malware infection likelihood
Many types of malware (e.g. SQL injections) rely on elevated privileges to install or execute. Therefore, removing excessive privileges or just implementing the least privilege policies across the company can successfully prevent malware.
Help achieve compliance
By reducing the privileged activities a user can perform, PAM helps create a less complex, more secure, and compliant environment.
Help achieve cyber insurance requirements
Ransomware attacks and ransom payouts have increased exponentially. Cyber insurers recommend organizations to increase PAM controls in order to reduce risks and liability.
Cyber insurers often require PAM controls to renew or obtain new cyber liability coverage: a PAM system to manage privileged access and accounts, removal of local admin rights, etc.
Also, many compliance regulations, such as HIPAA or PCI, require organizations to apply the least privilege access policies for data and systems security.
Privileged Access Management Best Practices
The more comprehensive your IT security policies, the better you will be able to prevent or mitigate insider and external threats while meeting compliance standards.
Here is an overview of the most important privileged access management best practices:
The policy should clearly indicate how privileged access and accounts are commissioned and decommissioned, the hierarchy of privileged users and accounts, etc.
This means that your IT security team should get all privileged accounts and credentials under management: application accounts, database accounts, local accounts, cloud accounts, SSH keys and passwords, including those used by third parties.
Your IT security team will look across operating systems, hardware devices, firewalls, routers, etc.
The PAM policy should emphasize where and how privileged passwords are being used and help reveal security vulnerabilities like old passwords/accounts, reused SSH keys, and so on.
Rules-based permissions should be enforced to elevate privileges as needed to perform specific actions and should be revoked after completion. If access is not provided but required, the user can submit a special request for approval.
The least privilege approach is not just about limiting access but also about the duration of access.
Privilege separation measures include separating administrative account capabilities from standard account capabilities.
When the least privilege approach is in place, you should consider separation of duties. Each privileged account should be able to perform only a distinct set of tasks.
Implementing privileged session management and monitoring (PSM) is essential for detecting suspicious activities and efficiently investigating risky privileged sessions.
Privileged session monitoring and management capabilities are required for achieving regulatory compliance (e.g., HIPAA, PCI, SOX).
Segment systems and networks to distinguish between users and processes based on levels of trust and needs. Higher trust levels should be at the center of your security policy.
This is basically the zero-trust principle which involves delivering just enough access, in time, and in the proper context. This is handled by assessing multiple inputs in real-time: vulnerability/threat data for a target asset, geolocation, user data, and several others to determine how much and for how long a privilege can be provisioned.
Enabling dynamic risk-based access will allow you to automatically limit privileges and prevent any unsafe activities every time a known threat or potential compromise exists for a user, asset, or system.
Privileged task automation, such as robotic process automation (RPA) that leverage privileged credentials and elevated access are increasingly embedded within modern IT environments and require many moving parts that need to be audited for privileged access.
Establish standard behavior for privileged user behavioral activity (PUBA) and privileged access. Monitor and alert in case of any deviations from the standard.
Conclusion
Limiting privileges for people, processes, and applications ultimately means the pathways and entrances for exploitation will be reduced.
Accumulating as much data as possible is not the answer. Most important is to have the needed data that enables you to make prompt, informed decisions while keeping all your systems safe and secure.
Security Misconfiguration: Overview
/in IT Security /by MihaiWith the move to the cloud and reliance on third-party solutions, one important vulnerability often occurs: security misconfiguration.
The impact of security misconfigurations can be disastrous, but with proper precautions and cybersecurity, they can be prevented.
Security misconfiguration represents any error or vulnerability in the setup of any system organizations rely on. There are many types of security misconfigurations, but they all expose your company to the same danger: illegitimate access to sensitive data or services.
How Do Security Misconfigurations Occur?
Security misconfiguration occurs when security related settings are put in place poorly or not implemented at all. For instance, cloud misconfiguration and identity service misconfiguration will always cause security vulnerabilities.
Such misconfigurations can lead to a data breach and depending on the value of the compromised data, it can have a significant impact on your organization.
Types of Security Misconfiguration
Any application or code that should include security measures is susceptible to security misconfiguration. Here are just a few examples.
Causes of Security Misconfiguration
Security misconfiguration can occur in many ways. Some of the common causes include:
The Impact of Security Misconfiguration
Security misconfiguration can expose a business to high risks, such as unauthorized access to systems, services, or data, causing significant and often permanent loss for an organization. The risks of security misconfiguration vary depending on the data that is exposed.
When sensitive data is leaked or stolen, the result often involves regulatory fines for failing to meet required security measures, losing customers, damaged reputation, etc.
Exploitable vulnerabilities and any business-critical information gained by a hacker can put your organization at further risk. That is why preventing security misconfiguration is crucial.
According to Wiz, about 20% of all organizations have at least one misconfigured application that can be exploited.
Prevention & Diagnosis
Preventing security misconfiguration requires implementing necessary security protocols, complex access controls, typically with an identity and access management (IAM) framework.
Diagnosing security misconfigurations quickly is key. Also, finding security misconfigurations is just as important as preventing them.
Along with scanning, security testing can provide valuable insights into vulnerabilities. The testing stage is where security misconfigurations discovered can be successfully diagnosed and the risk is 100% preventable.
Some other ways to prevent security misconfigurations:
Conclusion
Security misconfiguration vulnerabilities leave organizations exposed to potential attacks which can cause a company to lose money, customers, and reputation. Therefore, finding and fixing such misconfigurations should be one of your top priorities.
For a professional cybersecurity approach, don’t hesitate to reach out to StratusPointIT.
Windows 10: End of Support
/in IT Security, IT support /by MihaiMicrosoft have recently stated that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. If you are still using Windows 10 after this date, your services will not stop, but Microsoft will no longer provide Windows 10 updates and free security patches.
Note: Version 22H2 will be the last version of Microsoft Windows 10.
Support & Security
We always recommend businesses implement the latest security updates and security fixes. This is because outdated software and systems, especially those not receiving support, add to the list of security risks to your organization.
From October 14th the user:
As of March 2025, 54.2% of users are still using Windows 10, and 42.6% currently use Windows 11 – StatCounter worldwide data.
Windows 11 Features
Windows 11 benefits from complex end-to-end security features such as internet protections, antivirus, firewall, secure authentication, etc.
Advanced security features and free updates will help your organization safeguard against emerging cyber threats.
Windows 11 maintains a familiar user experience from Windows 10 and a similar layout while introducing a more modern design and improved functionality. Central elements like the Start menu and taskbar have been updated for a cleaner look, but the overall navigation remains intuitive and user friendly.
It brings in several innovative improvements for usability and efficiency. For instance, the updated Settings application now features a persistent left menu that makes it easier to navigate from general to specific settings.
Many applications have been updated, adding new functionalities, such as Focus Sessions, which allows the user to apply certain limits in order to zero in on getting tasks done.
The Photos app can not only organize and edit photos, but it can also handle video editing, enabling the user to make transitions and add different effects. It includes innovative features like face recognition, allows the user to enable location-based features, generate albums, etc.
Also, the central collaboration app, Microsoft Teams, has been improved. Chat from Teams is now integrated into the Windows taskbar, so the user can easily connect with other Teams users, even from outside your organization, regardless of the operating system they use (Android, iOS, or Windows). If the other person does not have the Teams app, this feature will allow you to chat via Short Message Service (SMS).
In case you install Windows 11 on a tablet with no keyboard, you need to know that the touch experience has been improved with bigger touch targets, more space between icons, and the ability to resize and move windows swiftly.
Besides, if you prefer voice over text or voice typing, Windows 11 comes with voice commands.
Upgrade to Windows 11
Microsoft has implemented a secure migration process to Windows 11 which begins with checking whether your current Windows 10 computer can upgrade to Windows 11 or if a new computer is necessary.
Note: Your computer must be running Windows 10 – version 2004 or a more recent version to be able to upgrade.
Firstly, check to see if your Windows 10 device is eligible to upgrade for free to Windows 11 by selecting the Start button and going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
To benefit from the level of security, features, and functionalities that Windows 11 provides, some users may need new computers. Learn more about Windows 11 system requirements.
If your current Windows 10 device is compatible, you should upgrade it. However, if your hardware falls short, upgrading might cause your device to lag, so make sure you have the necessary hardware resources for the upgrade.
Identity & Access Management (Entra ID)
/in IT Security /by MihaiMicrosoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management service for applications like Office365 and Azure.
Entra ID Security Defaults
Security defaults are a group of settings that help protect your organization from emerging threats and cyberattacks like brute force attacks, password spraying, phishing, etc.
Security defaults include the following requirements:
NOTE! Security defaults are free, while Conditional Access requires Entra ID Premium licensing (P1 or P2). Also, Conditional Access policies are fully customizable, security defaults are not.
Conditional Access Policies
Conditional Access policies have the potential to prevent any unauthorized access to sensitive data, considerably improving your security framework.
Administrators can control who has access to applications and resources based on certain conditions/criteria: user identity, device, location, and more.
For instance, let’s say you oversee identity and access management at a company that has 70 employees in the following departments:
Also, the organization outsources the following services: Marketing, IT and Cloud consulting.
Employees should only have access to services and files relevant to their work (the principle of least privilege) while each department should be able to operate remotely.
This is how organizations usually operate today. Employees now work remotely, sometimes across different continents, in different roles and levels of access rights and privileges.
If your administrator logs in from overseas, his authentication process must be tighter than it would be in the office. Therefore, authentication security must be strict.
To give employees flexibility while addressing the diverse security requirements, a Conditional Access strategy is paramount. With it you can apply security measures to specific roles, locations, and applications for a robust and adaptable security posture.
Users, Target Resources & Conditions
The Users
Configure who is affected by the policy. You can include/exclude a group of users (e.g. Marketing department members), specific roles, and more.
Target Resources
User actions – Administrators can define policies based on user action. For instance, the user tries to register security information (MFA, password, etc.) or connect a new device to the tenant.
Cloud applications – Administrators can assign security controls to specific applications.
Authentication context – Administrators can configure authentication contexts which will be used to further secure data and actions in applications.
Conditions
Sign-in risk: This security feature enables administrators to control user access based on the likelihood of a fraudulent sign-in attempt.
User risk: It allows administrators who have access to Entra ID Protection to label users as risky if their activity is suspicious.
Location: You can approve or deny sign-ins based on the geographic location of the user.
Device platforms: Approve or deny access based on the operating system of the device used for login.
Client apps: You can approve/deny an authentication request based on the client application utilized for login. Unfortunately, legacy authentication apps can expose the user to identity frauds, brute-force attacks, etc.
Device filters: Approve or deny access based on the user’s device.
Conditional Access: Benefits
You can use Conditional Access controls to improve security and achieve compliance goals.
Location-based access: You can create trusted and untrusted zones, and you can apply access conditions. For example, you can enable multi-factor authentication for users logging in from home but skip the rule for all users who login from the headquarters.
Blocking unauthorized access: Allow access only to passwordless authentication methods to minimize the risk of compromised user accounts.
Identity and application granularity: You can create application/entity-specific policies to allow access in case of an emergency, under specific conditions.
Session controls: You may consider creating reauthentication policies for different roles within the organization. For instance, non-privileged users may be required to reauthenticate more often.
Compliance-based access: Allow/block access based on device compliance. This way you ensure that user devices meet minimum configuration requirements. For example, if a device used for authentication is marked as compliant in Entra ID, your controls can be less restrictive.
Final Thoughts
With proper Entra ID security controls, emergent cyberattacks are now preventable. On the other hand, Entra ID misconfigurations can impact your environment, so make sure to plan and partner with the right team for professional implementation.
File Share Phishing: Overview
/in IT Security, Tech Tips /by MihaiCybercriminals’ favorite way to break into a company right now is by sharing a document that leads to a fake Microsoft login page. The link could direct you to SharePoint, OneDrive, Dropbox, or another site, but the goal is always the same – they want access to your email account. Because this attack has become so common, we’d like to share some advice with you.
When you first receive a shared file, your initial thought might be, “Is this for me?” You may even respond to the email and ask the sender that very question. Unfortunately, it’s easy for cybercriminals to reply with a generic “yes.”
Moving forward into 2025, a better question to ask is, “What’s this for?”
First, ask yourself this question before clicking any links in your email. If the link is part of an active conversation, that’s great – you should be safe.
If you can think of a valid reason why someone sent you the link, then you can ask the sender, “What’s this for?” If you receive a vague response, that’s a red flag, it’s likely an attacker, not a legitimate contact.
If you have no idea why someone sent you a link, do not click on it. You can still ask the sender for clarification, but only proceed if they provide a clear, specific explanation.
The following examples may look like harmless file sharing emails, but all three of these deceptive messages led to phishing websites that were waiting to steal the user’s login information.
Remember: Always verify that the shared file is part of an active conversation before clicking on it.
The Cross-site Scripting (XSS)
/in IT Security /by MihaiCross-site scripting, also known as XSS, is a web security vulnerability that enables hackers to manipulate user interactions with compromised applications. Through cross-site scripting, the perpetrator can impersonate a user, execute any actions the user is able to, also can access and manipulate their data. If the user has privileges within the application, the perpetrator may gain complete control over all functionalities and data associated with that application.
Briefly, cross-site scripting involves manipulating a website to run malicious scripts. When the code executes within the victim’s browser, the attacker can fully compromise the interaction with the application.
Types of XSS Attacks
There are three main types of XSS attacks.
Reflected XSS occurs when an application receives data in an HTTP request and includes that data within its response in an unsecure way.
Here is a simple example of a reflected XSS vulnerability:
https://website.com/status?message=Everything+is+fine.
<p>Status: Everything is fine.</p>
Instead, a hacker can easily perform an attack like this:
https://website.com/status?message=<script>/*+malicious+code+here…+*/</script>
<p>Status: <script>/*malicious code here*/</script></p>
If the user visits the URL generated by the attacker, then the perpetrator’s script executes in the user’s browser. At that point, the script can carry out any action and retrieve any data to which the user has access.
Stored XSS occurs when a vulnerable application receives data from a malicious source and includes that data within its subsequent HTTP responses. This data might be submitted via HTTP requests. For example, comments on a forum/blog post, usernames in a chat room, etc.
An example of a stored XSS attack is an application for exchanging text messages which allows users to submit any messages which are publicly displayed to other users, such as:
<p>Hello, this is my text.</p>
The application won’t perform any other verification over the submitted message, so the hacker can easily send a malicious message:
<p><script>/*malicious code here*/</script></p>
DOM-based XSS occurs when an application contains some client-side JavaScript that unsafely processes data from an untrusted source.
If the perpetrator controls the value of the input field, they can easily construct a malicious value to eventually execute their own script.
What can XSS be used for?
A hacker who exploits a cross-site scripting vulnerability is able to:
The impact of an XSS attack will depend on the functionality of the targeted application, the captured data, and the access-level of the compromised user.
So, in the case of a simple application where all users are anonymous and all information is displayed publicly, the consequences will be minimal. On the other hand, an application holding sensitive data, such as banking transactions or healthcare records will be massively impacted.
Also, if the compromised user has elevated privileges within the application, then the impact will be serious, allowing the hacker to take full control of the application getting access to users and data.
Test For Such Vulnerabilities
Testing for reflected and stored XSS involves submitting simple unique input – a short alphanumeric string into every entry point in the application and identifying where the submitted input is returned in HTTP responses. Next, test each location to find out if an input can be used to execute malicious scripts.
Manually testing for DOM-based XSS can be done by placing an unique input in the parameter, then using the browser’s developer tools to search the DOM for this input and testing it to determine whether it is exploitable. Other types of DOM XSS are harder to detect, but achievable with the right support team.
Prevention Methods
Preventing XSS vulnerabilities will involve a combination of the following measures.
In case user-controllable data is output in HTTP responses, encode the output to prevent it from being interpreted as script.
Also, when the user input is received, filter as strictly as possible based on what data you expect to receive.
Make sure to utilize appropriate response headers. To prevent cross-site scripting in HTTP responses that aren’t intended to contain any HTML or JavaScript, you can use the Content-Type and X-Content-Type-Options headers to ensure that browsers interpret the responses the way you intend.
Finally, one of the most effective measures for safeguarding the client side of your business is to implement a content security policy (CSP). This security measure can be easily integrated into any website, providing an additional layer of protection.
The Man-In-The-Middle Attack
/in IT Security /by MihaiThis type of cyberattack occurs each time a hacker intercepts and manipulates communications between two parties. So, once positioned as Man in the Middle, usually between a client and a server, the perpetrator will:
Most Common Techniques
Session hijacking occurs when an attacker hijacks a session between a client and a server. The hacker’s device will replace its IP address with the one of the trusted client. If the server continues the session, the attack is successfully executed.
Sniffing is used by hackers to gain visibility to confidential data packets by employing specific wireless devices that can be switched to data monitoring.
IP spoofing is utilized to disguise the attacker’s IP. The IP address is the identifier that allows data to be sent between devices on a network. It includes location information and makes devices accessible for communication.
Packet injections occur when hackers inject malicious packets into data communication streams. The packets can blend in with valid data communication streams making them appear as if they were part of a normal data exchange.
How to Detect a Man-in-the-Middle Attack
This type of cyberattack can easily go unnoticed if the proper precautions are not implemented. A weak encryption setup can allow the perpetrator to brute-force his way into your network and begin man-in-the-middle attacking.
Checking for proper page authentication and implementing a tamper detection solution are typically the key methods to detect a possible attack.
Actively searching to determine if your communications have been compromised is important.
Being aware of your browsing practices and recognizing potentially harmful areas is crucial to maintaining a secure network.
Prevention & Protection Measures
Encrypting communications is one of the most effective measures for protecting data exchanges against Man in the Middle attacks. The stronger the encryption, the safer.
The Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol which uses advanced encryption algorithms is now the standard for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of any online communication.
TLS creates a secure channel between a client and a server, protecting exchanged information against manipulation. This encryption is based on the use of digital certificates and guarantees the authenticity of the data source.
TLS certificates must be issued by recognized certification authorities and renewed on a regular basis. Utilizing expired certificates is detrimental because it can expose your organization to cybersecurity risks.
Also, utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) to create a secure environment within a local network is advisable. It uses key-based encryption, so even if the hacker somehow gets access to the network, he will not be able to decrypt the traffic in the VPN. As an extra layer of protection, end users should utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access the VPN as well.
Carry out regular network penetration tests to assess the risk of Man in the Middle and other similar cyberattacks.
Organizations also rely on deep packet inspection (DPI) solutions, which utilize granular analysis of all headers, so not just the IP address.
Consider enabling HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) to force browsers to use only secure connections with the server.
For a professional approach against this increasingly popular type of cyberattack, please reach out to StratusPointIT. Keeping your enterprise, your people, and your data safe is our commitment.
The Annual IT Security Assessment
/in IT Security /by MihaiRegular IT security assessments identify and address any weaknesses in networks, systems, and applications, to protect the organization from potential cyber threats.
Such assessments are essential for organizations of all sizes.
Why Are Security Assessments So Important?
Security assessments are crucial because they objectively evaluate the state of security of an organization identifying potential security flaws, weak points, risk areas, gaps in security measures and also help businesses develop cybersecurity plans to address such weaknesses.
By reviewing and assessing current security measures, organizations will ensure that their policies and procedures are optimal and security focused.
The annual cybersecurity assessment is a critical process for any business also because it can determine additional security measures that need to be implemented to keep all networks and systems secure.
Identify Vulnerabilities
The first thing that needs to be done is to try to identify all the risks that could affect your business based on industry. This will help the designated team to assess the likelihood of an attack, the reasons behind it, and the level of impact. Afterwards, the team will have to document and track all these vulnerabilities.
Identify Internal & External Threats
Many types of cyber threats can affect your organization at any given moment. Therefore, it is essential to identify which threats are more likely to affect your organization, both internal and external.
NOTE! By understanding the vulnerabilities and threats similar organizations are facing, you can improve the IT security posture of your organization.
Determine Potential Impact
Determining, based on analysis, the likelihood of each threat and the potential impact it could have on your business is mandatory. This can be assessed by studying the occurrence of certain types of cyberattacks and the impact each attack has had or could possibly have.
Prioritize Your Resources
Next, you should prioritize your resources accordingly by tracking how often each type of threat occurs. It is crucial to develop and implement a cybersecurity strategy to include the best solutions and mitigations based on the type of cybersecurity incident.
Review Privileged User Access
Privileged user access audit involves a systematic evaluation of the access rights and permissions granted to privileged users within an organization’s digital infrastructure.
Assess Security Services
There is a plethora of IT security services available. However, every business is different and there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for cybersecurity. A professional IT security team can evaluate your needs and vulnerabilities and suggest the appropriate solutions according to best practices.
Assess Backup Services
Prioritize a backup service that offers both reliability and security and the features your business needs at affordable rates.
MFA/Passkey Assessment & Recommendations
For long-lasting security, it is vital to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all user accounts and devices. By utilizing a combination of different authentication factors like biometrics or one-time passcodes, you will create layers of security that will make it harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access.
Regularly monitoring and analyzing authentication logs for suspicious activities will provide an additional layer of protection.
Review Patch Management
Patch management tasks include deciding what patches are appropriate, ensuring that patches are installed properly, thoroughly testing systems after installation, documenting all associated procedures, etc.
A comprehensive cybersecurity assessment involves accurately determining your systems’ patch status.
Scan and Test Your Environment
Performing a vulnerability scan will help identify risk and attack vectors across networks, hardware, software, and systems. While a vulnerability scan uncovers risks, an internal and external network penetration test attempts to exploit those risks by trying to hack the network. Performing these scans and tests will help identify areas of improvement and investments needed to protect your infrastructure.
Don’t Settle For Good Enough
Unfortunately, cyber threats will never disappear, but by making cybersecurity a top priority, you will be able to safeguard your business assets both effectively and efficiently.
By identifying and documenting vulnerabilities, risks and likelihoods with regular cybersecurity assessments, you will be ahead of the game in protecting your organization from emerging cyber threats.
We can help you protect your sensitive data, implement proactive security maintenance as we perform vulnerability assessments and management to improve your IT security posture. Keeping your enterprise, your people, and your data safe is our commitment.
SMTP Smuggling: Overview
/in IT Security /by MihaiThe landscape of cybersecurity is evolving, so modern threats like SMTP smuggling are a stark reminder of the importance of staying up to date on defending against such cyberattacks. But what is SMTP smuggling, how does it work?
What is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol?
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is a TCP/IP network protocol utilized to send emails between different servers. SMTP email clients include Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.
Basically, after an email is composed, using a client such as Gmail or Outlook, it is delivered to an SMTP server, which verifies the recipient’s domain to find the appropriate email server to deliver the email to. The SMTP server at the recipient’s domain processes the email, and either delivers the message or uses SMTP to forward it via another network before delivery.
What is SMTP Smuggling?
Security is the biggest problem with the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol because it lacks authentication. With the right tools, hackers can simply choose the sender’s name, so that their messages appear to have been sent from legitimate sources. They try to convince the recipients to take specific actions, such as clicking phishing links, downloading files infected with malware, sending sensitive information, etc.
The goal is to trick the recipient’s server into a different interpretation of the end of a message using SMTP commands so that the email appears as two separate messages.
How Does SMTP Smuggling Work?
To perform such attacks, hackers “smuggle” ambiguous SMTP commands to eventually compromise the integrity of the email-server communications. Basically, SMTP servers usually indicate the end of message data with the code <CR><LF> also known as “Carriage Return” and “Line Feed” or “\r\n.\r\n”. These are the standard text delimiters.
By changing this code sequence, hackers can alter the server’s understanding of where the message data ends. This creates an opportunity for smuggling extra data.
Spoofed emails are usually just a part of targeted phishing attacks. Organizations are particularly vulnerable to SMTP smuggling because it can be easy to spoof their domains and use social engineering to send phishing emails or launch spear-phishing attacks.
How to Avoid SMTP Smuggling Emails
Manufacturing companies of the most popular mail servers, such as Postfix, Exim, and Sendmail have released solutions to defend against SMTP smuggling. Several other measures can be taken to minimize the threat.
We strongly advise running regular IT security checks on your organization’s infrastructure to monitor possible attack vectors and vulnerabilities.
Check the email-routing software being used. If the software is known to be vulnerable, update it to the latest version and use settings that specifically reject unauthorized additions.
Conduct security awareness training regularly, teach employees how important it is to always verify the sender’s email address and full name before proceeding with any actions.
What Does SMTP Email Spoofing Look Like?
To be alert to the threat of SMTP smuggling, it is critical to know what a spoof email might look like. A spoof email may take several forms.
There is the case of display name spoofing, where the sender’s name is spoofed, most times by using the real name of an organization’s employee. Most email clients automatically hide the sender’s email address and show the full name next to “From:”, which is why recipients should always check the email address to make sure it corresponds to the sender’s name to prevent downloading suspicious attachments, clicking links, or replying to deceitful emails.
Lookalike domain spoofing is a more complex cyberattack because it requires the perpetrator to register a domain like that of the target organization, set up the e-mail service, etc. There are two similar approaches that hackers take to domain spoofing: a misspelling of a legitimate company domain and Unicode Spoofing, where hackers replace an ASCII character in the domain name with a similar-looking character from Unicode.
At StratusPointIT we help organizations defend against various types of cyber threats, such as spoofing attacks. For more relevant information, or for a cybersecurity audit, please reach out to us.