System Threats

System Threats

1. Brute force attack

   • A trial and error method used by programs to decode encrypted data such as passwords or Data Encryption Standard (DES) keys, through exhaustive effort rather than employing intellectual strategies.
     • EFFECTS: Theft of data. Access to corporate and private computer systems.
       • PREVENTION: Network lockout policy: locks out after a number of tries. Staff training: using effective passwords that contain symbols and numbers. Challenge response tests e.g. reCAPTCHA – user has to look at a picture and answer a question.

2. Denial of service attack

   • Flooding a server with useless traffic causes servers to become overloaded preventing them responding to legitimate client-server requests from users.
     • EFFECTS: Revenue losses: downtime affects profits. Based on industry surveys, the average cost of downtime is over £4000/minute. Productivity Loss: when critical network systems are shut down, your workforce’s productivity comes to a halt. Reputation Damage: your brand suffers if customers can’t access your site or become casualties of a data breach.
       • PREVENTION: Strong security software (firewall). Packet filters on routers. Configuration of the webserver. Good network policy: audits, logs, monitoring.

3. SQL Injection

   • A code injection technique, used to attack data-driven applications. If a database application has not been coded in a secure way, code can be entered into text boxes, and will be executed by the server.
     • EFFECTS: Contents of the database can be output, revealing data that otherwise would be hidden. Data in the database can be amended and deleted. New rogue records can be added.
       • PREVENTION: Validation of input fields. Penetration testing to see how far you can get in the system.

4. Phishing

   • An online fraud technique used by criminals to entice you to disclose personal information such as usernames, passwords or bank details by claiming to be a trusted company.
     • EFFECTS: Can access a victim's account and withdraw money. Open new bank or credit card account in victim's name. Gaining access to high-value corporate data.
       • PREVENTION: Strong security software (firewall, spam filter, anti-virus, anti-spam). Staff training: awareness of spotting fake websites & emails. Staff training: never disclose personal or financial information. Staff training: disable pop-ups.

5. Data interception

   • An attacker monitors data streams to or from a target, in order to gather sensitive information. The attack usually involves sniffing network traffic. Sniffing or eavesdropping is the act of monitoring traffic on the network for data such as plaintext passwords or configuration information. With a simple packet sniffer program, an attacker can easily read all plaintext traffic.
     • EFFECTS: Discovering username and password credentials. Gaining access to systems. Disclosure of corporate data. Theft of data.
       • PREVENTION: Strong encryption. Using virtual networks. Staff training: use of passwords, locking and portable storage devices. Network forensics.

6. Malware

   • Software written to infect computers and commit crimes such as fraud and identity theft.
     • EFFECTS: The computer may crash, reboot spontaneously or slow down without any logical explanation. The internet connection may become slow. Files may be deleted, become corrupt or encrypted.
       • PREVENTION: Use strong security software (firewall, spam filter, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam). Enable OS update. Staff training: caution opening attatchments. Back up files regularly.

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