The Human Factor: Exploiting Human Flaws

Logethica

Level 13
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Jun 24, 2016
636
THE HUMAN FACTOR: Proofpoint Research Report 2016.

Today’s advanced attacks focus more on exploiting human flaws than system flaws. Proofpoint developed The Human Factor to explore this under-reported aspect of enterprise threats.

This paper presents original field research using data gathered by Proofpoint products deployed in customer settings around the world. It covers the latest trends in the top vectors for targeting people: email, social media, and mobile apps. The Human Factor reveals not just who is clicking what, but how threat actors are using social engineering to get people to perform the work of automated exploits. Because as the data make clear, the weakest link in security is all of us.


Executive Summary
Life imitated art in 2015 as real-world cyber criminals every day applied the mantra of the anti-hero hacker of the cable TV series Mr. Robot: “People make the best exploits.” Social engineering became the No. 1 attack technique. Attackers shifted away from automated exploits and instead engaged people to do the dirty work—infecting systems, stealing credentials, and transferring funds. Across all vectors and in attacks of all sizes, threat actors used social engineering to trick people into doing things that once depended on malicious code.

Attackers use people in three progressively controlling ways:

Running attackers’ code for them.
These attacks comprised mainly high-volume campaigns distributed to broad groups of users. They used a variety of ruses to evade technical detection and convinced people to disable or ignore security, click links, open documents, or download files that installed malware on laptops, tablets, and smart phones.

Handing over credentials to them.
These attacks appeared frequently in medium-volume campaigns. They targeted key people who had valued credentials, such as usernames and passwords to crucial systems or useful services, tricking them into turning over their “keys to the castle.”

Directly working for them, transferring funds to them.
These attacks were narrow and highly targeted. They aimed for users with the right job duties and ability act directly on behalf of attackers. These users, thinking they were following orders from higher-ups, most often made wire transfers to fraudulent bank accounts.

These attacks differed in scale and volume. But they all shared one common thread: using social engineering to persuade people to do the work of malware—and deliver big dividends for the attackers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Key Findings & Defensive Recommendations
Section 1: By the Numbers;
Threat Targeting by Geographic Region
Email Threat Targeting by Day of Week
Email Threat Targeting by Hour of Day
Social Media Threat Targeting by Hour
Threat Targeting Malicious Mobile Apps
Section 2: Exploiting People;
People Running Attackers’ Code for Them
Email Threat Vector Trends: URL vs. Attachments
Threat Types: Attachment Malware Payloads
Threat Vector Tactics: Most Used Email Lures
Threat Types: Malicious Attachment Document Formats
People Handing Over Credentials to Attackers
Threat Vector Tactics: Credential Phishing
Mobile App Threats Come of Age
Phishing Dominates Social Media Attacks
People Transferring Funds Directly to Attackers
Conclusion
Understanding advanced threats
Recommendations


READ THE FULL REPORT AT THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.
 

Logethica

Level 13
Thread author
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Jun 24, 2016
636

Azure

Level 28
Verified
Top Poster
Content Creator
Oct 23, 2014
1,712
Manipulating the user is perhaps the easiest way to create a bypass - not to mention user mistakes and security config mis-configurations.

Technically, the user is the weakest security link.
Which is why it's important for that "weak link" to be reinforced through learning basic computer/online security and reading security blogs or topics like the ones in this forum.
 
H

hjlbx

Which is why it's important for that "weak link" to be reinforced through learning basic computer/online security and reading security blogs or topics like the ones in this forum.

This goes completely against conventional security soft wisdom = security softs should be "plug-and-play" with no user interaction required... all for the sake of n00bs and those who just have no inclination to learn IT security fundamentals - because it is considered too much of a burden for the user to learn.

Because of the last part is the reason why signature-based AVs will be around for the next 100 years - if not longer.

It's the face of stupidity...
 

ravi prakash saini

Level 13
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Apr 22, 2015
635
To update the software is the responsibility of respective vendor but updating the brain is the responsibility of the user he can not hide behind plug-and-play.for example television were so simple ,say,20 years ago true plug-and-play but who wants to use them now.typical user is ready to update himself about how to use smart television but not in cyber world
 

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top