Liquid Web An attack vector (or threat vector) is an avenue through which a hacker can gain illicit access to a system, exploiting vulnerabilities through technical methods or social engineering. These methods evolve all the time, so it’s important to protect your servers and your site and stay up to date on cybersecurity risks.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common types of attack vectors and how to prevent them.
How hackers exploit attack vectors
One common way of categorizing cyber security attack vectors is “passive” versus “active.”
In a passive attack, the hacker may monitor network activity via reconnaissance methods like eavesdropping or session capture. In this case, the hacker is a bit like a spy who has infiltrated the other side to learn about their vulnerabilities but hasn’t done any damage — yet.
In an active attack, the hacker actively exploits the system’s vulnerabilities, using their unauthorized access to cause disruption or damage.
Common types of attack vectors
There are many different types of attack vectors. Some exploit vulnerabilities in code. Others take advantage of human errors. Some target a combination of the two. That’s why the best cybersecurity practices combine hardening attack surfaces with making sure users receive frequent and comprehensive training.
Here are some attack vector examples.
Email attachments
There’s a reason why we all (or mostly all) know better than to open an email attachment from an unfamiliar sender.
When an unsuspecting user clicks on a malicious email attachment, it can execute harmful code (aka malware) that infiltrates systems on the computer or the network to which it’s connected.
This is a particularly common attack vector, often used in ransomware attacks.
Malware
Malware is malicious code. Hackers use malware to gain control of devices or systems, enabling them to carry out further attacks, such as stealing data.
There are different ways to introduce malware to a system; for example, an email attachment, a malicious website, or a “trojan horse” software or app download.
Phishing
Phishing is another common attack vector that relies on social engineering — tricking someone into doing something harmful. For example, a user might receive an email that appears to be from a legitimate source but guides them to log in to a fake site controlled by the hacker. If the person enters their password on the fake site, the attacker can use it to gain access to a real site or account.
Weak encryption
Encryption converts data into a secret code. That way, if an attacker intercepts the data when it’s crossing the network or gains access to the location where it’s stored, they likely won’t be able to decipher it. But if encryption is weak or lacking, and sensitive data is shared in plaintext, there’s no next level of defense.
Compromised credentials
Because of large-scale data breaches, many people’s commonly used passwords are available for sale on the dark web. Hackers also steal passwords via phishing attacks or brute-force attacks using software that cracks passwords by trying many different combinations. With the stolen credentials, attackers can easily gain access to a system and execute the next stage of their attack.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s files using a key known only to the attacker. The organization is then forced to pay the attacker to regain access to their own data. There have been several highly publicized ransomware attacks over the last couple of years, bringing more awareness to this particular attack vector.
Software vulnerabilities
Software vulnerabilities are weaknesses that, like an unlocked door, enable a hacker to gain access. It’s impossible to write perfect code. Even in thoroughly tested applications, new gaps are discovered all the time. Then, software patches and updates are released to cover those gaps. But when a hacker is first to find a vulnerability and exploits it before an update can be released, it’s called a zero-day attack.
Misconfigured devices
Hardware such as routers, servers, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices need to be configured for security, and not every organization has the know-how or the protocols to do so. Out-of-the-box settings on these devices typically include default passwords that are easy to learn or guess, making them vulnerable to attack.
Browser attacks
Attackers can create malicious websites that install malware on the user’s computer. Domain name system (DNS) spoofing could also enable the hacker to redirect the user from a legitimate website to a harmful one. In a man-in-the-middle attack (MITM), the hacker can eavesdrop on or even hijack communication between a website and the server on which the website is hosted.
Insider threats
Not all attacks come from the outside. Threats sometimes come from a member of your organization with ulterior motives. They could use their own access credentials and knowledge of the system to steal data or cause damage. Or they might share this information with an outside party.
Distributed denial of service (DDoS)
In a DDoS attack, attackers flood a website, server, or network with too much traffic for it to process, slowing it down or crashing it. While many of the attack vectors mentioned above are designed to obtain illicit access to private data or financial information, this one aims to cause damage and destruction.
Open ports
Ports facilitate communication between devices on the network by sorting traffic into different “lanes” associated with different types of processes or services. Open ports are set up to accept incoming connections but can also be vulnerable to attack. Hackers can use them to compromise the whole system.
How to avoid attack vectors
You can never completely eliminate attack vectors, but you can minimize them. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your attack surface:
- Implement user training: The first layer of defense is ensuring your users are well-trained in recognizing and avoiding threats, creating strong passwords and storing them securely, and configuring devices appropriately.
- Encrypt sensitive files: Storing or transmitting data in plaintext makes it much easier for attackers to learn secrets. Apply best practices to classify your data and use appropriate encryption algorithms for greater privacy and security.
- Configure devices: IoT devices often ship with default passwords that are easy for attackers to learn, guess, or crack. When installing and configuring, update access credentials and review all other settings to ensure maximum security.
- Manage access credentials: Train users on how to create strong passwords and store them securely. Installing a password manager for everyone in your organization can facilitate this.
- Update hardware and software regularly: Run updates regularly, install patches right away, and be sure all your applications are up to date. This reduces vulnerability to known exploits.
- Explore software solutions: Antivirus software protects against many types of malware, and DDoS protection solutions prevent your website or server from crashing.
What is the difference between an attack vector and an attack surface?
An attack vector is a single way a hacker could gain illicit access or do damage to your systems. Some attack vectors are due to vulnerabilities in software or hardware. Others involve manipulating people to accidentally take actions that could harm their organization, like entering their password in a fake site or downloading malware. Some combine the two.
Conversely, the attack surface represents all potential threats. The attack surface includes every type of vulnerability — including people, hardware, and software — that could provide angles for a hacker to launch an attack.
Protecting your company from attack vectors
Organizations of every size can be vulnerable to DDoS attacks. DDoS attacks can do serious damage to your organization logistically, financially, and reputationally.
Liquid Web’s hosting solutions include several levels of DDoS protection. You can choose the level of protection that makes the most sense for your organization, easily add it to your Liquid Web hosting account, and manage it through the dashboard.
Learn more about Liquid Web’s DDoS protection for servers to get started today.