What Is a Multi-Vector Attack and How Can You Prevent It?
Securing your digital assets is like a marathon. Just when you think you’ve outrun cybercriminals, you find them right behind you, trying to beat you to the finish line which, in this case, is your valuable data.
Intruders now know better than to try to encroach on your system with a single strategy, so they deploy several methods via a multi-vector attack. When they are firing shots at your system from all angles, you need to move very fast to keep it alive. Understanding multi-vector attacks, how they work, and how to prevent them is a good start.
What Is a Multi-Vector Attack?
A multi-vector attack is a form of cyberattack in which a hacker targets your computer system or network using several strategies and techniques. A good scenario is when a thief tries to break into your property via multiple areas because they are aware that the property is secured. They’ll try forcing their way through the front door, back door, windows, and even the roof at the same time. The reason for this action is to boost their chances of successful entry.
In the same vein, cybercriminals use several attack methods in a multi-vector attack. If they don’t launch a phishing attack to trick you, they mayuse brute force to break into your account, or even turn to ransomware. This method gives them various attack options to implement at a particular time.
One thing about multi-vector attacks is that it’s possible to receive different threats from hackers without being aware that the mastermind of the whole act is the same source. And that’s because they launch them independently, but manage them together on their end. If you successfully avoid one of their antics and fall for the next one, you are right where they want you to be. Your goal should be to prevent all their gimmicks.
How Does a Multi-Vector Attack Work?
Cybercriminals are very calculative when implementing a multi-vector attack because they want to utilize every chance they have. It’s a game of numbers. Here’s how it works.
Collect Information About the Target
Studying your target is a key rule in launching cyberattacks. No matter what their motive is, hackers take their time to observe and gather information about you before they strike. Through these, they become aware of certain weak spots and security gaps. They use various means to passively investigate your online behaviors, track your interactions, look for password loopholes, etc.
Choose Suitable Attack Vectors
Cyberattack techniques aren’t one-size-fits-all. One strategy may be suitable for a particular area and unsuitable for another. Based on the information intruders obtain from you, they select a variety of suitable attack tactics for the job. This could include phishing emails, malware, DDoS attacks, etc. There’s a valid reason for every item on the list. The idea is to create a strong combination of techniques that complement each other.
Synchronize Attack Techniques
After deciding on the attack techniques to deploy, threat actors create a plan, arranging them in a sequence for deployment. They are careful to launch these attacks in a way that will confuse you and throw you off balance.
As you are busy attending to a ransomware attempt, you may not be able to focus well enough to detect a phishing attempt. Your chances of falling for either or both of these are high.
Reinforce to Exploit Other Areas
Hackers don’t give up easily. If your defenses are strong enough to resist their initial attempts, they restrategize on how to get at you. They may choose to deploy eavesdropping attack strategies that will enable them to retrieve your data without having direct contact with your system. For instance, they coulduse a Man-in-the-Middle attack to quietly intercept your communicationsin the background.
In some cases, hackers could leverage third-party access where they bug authorized vendor applications on your system. This way, they are almost invisible, making it difficult for you to detect them while they eavesdrop or retrieve your data.
How Can You Prevent Multi-Vector Attacks?
Having understood what multi-vector attacks entail and how it works, a thorough, multi-layered cybersecurity strategy is necessary to prevent them. Here are a few tactics to help shield your network from these sophisticated threats.
Update Your System Regularly
Performing updates isn’t just for enhancing the user experience. It also enables you to benefit from security improvements the developers or service providers make. They usually address security vulnerabilities from time to time, so if you don’t update your system, you miss out on these opportunities.
When you run your network on outdated features, you could suffer security breaches. It’s crucial to equip your software, operating system, and applications with the most recent security components as they are more effective than outdated ones.
Use Credible Firewall and Antivirus Systems
Using effective firewall and antivirus systems makes resisting multi-vector attacks easier as they block possible entry points. Adopting the free ones on the market is tempting since you don’t pay a dime, but you can’t be so sure that they offer strong security. You are better off investing in reliable antivirus software to identify and remove malware and install a robust firewall to block unwanted traffic.
In addition, ensure that you’re using the most recent upgrades and features that apply to these security tools.
Adopt a Healthy Password Strategy
Identifying weak passwords are hacker’s first attempt when looking for vulnerabilities in your system. Cultivate a healthy password culture that prompts you to create hard-to-guess passwords. Use complex passwords for your accounts and logins. Don’t use names, dates of birth, or places; they are always easy to guess. It’s even better to use passphrases rather than single-word passwords. Since phrases are two or more words, it’s difficult for the threat actors to put them together.
Enablemulti-factor authentication (MFA) to add multiple security layersduring logins. Anyone trying to access your account will have to verify their identity in several ways before they gain access. These include verifying their fingerprint, providing a one-time code delivered to an authorized mobile phone number or email, or authentication.
Encrypt Your Data
Leaving your data open is risky because intruders can access it even when you think it’s secured. And that’s because they use all sorts of hacking applications to retrieve the most hidden data. Ensure that your data is unreadable to them by encrypting it.
Data encryption is the processing of replacing plane data with random codes. These codes have no meaning and are useless to anyone viewing them in that format. Encrypted data have a decryption key that’s privy to only authorized parties. Cybercriminals will be dealing with useless data unless they can find the decryption key somehow.
Leverage Multi-Vector Attacks to Create a Robust Cybersecurity
If cybercriminals use multiple attack techniques on your system, you can’t resist them with a single security approach. To match their energy, you need a multi-layered approach that involves several strategies. That way, you’ll have a defense for each card the intruders play.
Multi-vector attacks may seem like a pain in the neck, but they could work to your advantage. If you may tighten your security to resist them, it means that your security is strong enough to prevent just about any attack.
Active attacks are direct efforts to circumvent someone’s online defenses. When you know what to look for, you could better beef up your own security.
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