What is backdoor attack in cybersecurity and how does it work? And what are some backdoor attack examples and what are the prevention techniques?
In cybersecurity, a backdoor attack is a kind of malicious assault in which a hacker uses a backdoor—a covert entry point—to gain unauthorized access to a system or network. A backdoor is a covert way to enter a system or network without going through the regular authentication steps.
Attackers can construct backdoors using a number of techniques, including installing malware or spyware, exploiting software flaws, or duping users into downloading harmful software through phishing attacks.
Once a backdoor has been created, an attacker can access confidential information, introduce other malware, change or remove files, and even take over the entire machine.
Some of the examples of backdoor attack includes, but not limited to:
- The Darkhotel APT: At least since 2007, the Darkhotel advanced persistent threat (APT) organization has been active. They employ a number of methods, including backdoors, to gain access to targeted systems.
- The Stuxnet Worm: Stuxnet was a highly developed piece of malware targeted at industrial control systems. It employed a backdoor to get access to the system by taking advantage of a number of vulnerabilities.
- The Shadow Brokers: In 2017, a gang of hackers going by the name of the Shadow Brokers released a collection of hacking tools that were taken from the NSA, including a number of backdoors.
Some of the Backdoor attack prevention measures includes, but not limited to:
- Updating software frequently: Updating operating systems and applications on a regular basis will help to fix known vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit to create a backdoor.
- Making use of strong passwords: conducting passwords that are challenging to guess can assist stop attackers from conducting brute force attempts to break into a system.
- Using two-factor authentication: By requiring a second form of verification, such as a code delivered to a mobile device, before providing access to a system, two-factor authentication can offer an extra layer of protection.
- Monitoring network activity can help identify unusual activity, such as an unauthorized person trying to access a system, among other things.
- Consistent malware scanning: Regular malware scanning of computers can assist in identifying and removing any backdoors that potential attackers may have installed.