What is a Backdoor Attack?
A backdoor attack is a cyberattack in which cybercriminals use and create a backdoor to circumvent inbuilt or added security fences and break into a device, system, or application to do malicious activities such as data theft, online monitoring, security breaches and malware distribution. Black hats exploit backdoors to do all types of malicious activities such as accessing vulnerable devices, critical systems, and business databases, hijacking servers and disrupting websites. They install a web shell in the target device and take complete control of all the operations in the system. They set up a command and control server to send instructions and carry out all the malicious activities from remote locations.
How Does a Backdoor Attack Work?
In a backdoor attack, hackers exploit vulnerabilities and security flaws in a device`s software and hardware to launch a backdoor attack. They exploit these vulnerabilities to infiltrate malware and virus loaders in the device. Malware operates covertly in the system and steals all the data. If there is no vulnerability in the system then hackers create one by installing malware such as Rootkits, MetaStealer and PickaBot that comprises a downloader/installer, a loader, and a core backdoor component.
For example, hackers plant a rootkit in the system to gain unauthorized access to a device. A rootkit is malicious software designed to access a computer. Rootkit modifies system functionalities to integrate itself into the operating system and hide its presence. Due to this, it can easily bypass traditional and built-in security systems and carry out all the malicious operations. It can remain active even during reboots and operate with elevated privileges that provide extended control to hackers over the compromised system.
So, a rootkit creates a backdoor for the hackers that provides them unauthorized access to a device, network and application. Using this backdoor cybercriminals harvest sensitive data including personal and financial details of an individual on a PC. Once they have sensitive details of a person they can easily exploit them to steal money and carry out financial frauds.
What are the Different Types of Backdoor Attacks?
Backdoor attacks come in various shapes and sizes. They exploit various means and methods to implant in a device network or software to execute their malicious operations such as data theft, malware installation or using a device as a launchpad to make further attacks. It is highly important to understand the types and forms of Backdoor attacks to detect, prevent and eliminate these threats before they do any harm to you. Therefore, here are the main types of backdoor attacks and understanding them will help you safeguard your device and digital networks:
Software-Based Backdoors
Malware-infected apps and trojan horses are the two most prevalent methods attackers use as backdoors to infiltrate a system. In such attacks, cybercriminals ingrain the malicious codes within legitimate software programs. When a user downloads and installs this infected software on their PC malware also moves in furtively in the device operating system. These malware create a secret entry point (Backdoor) for the attackers from which all the information is smuggled and malicious activities are executed. Examples of software-based-backdoors:
Poison TaP
It is a hacking tool that leverages a USB port to execute a cyberattack when it is plugged into a computer. Once integrated with the PC it provides unauthorized access to network traffic, bypasses security barriers and facilitates bad actors to take control over targeted endpoints. To accomplish this Poison Tap mimics a network device and exploits PC trust in the local network that forces the target device to route all the HTTP traffic through the hacker’s device. It can direct users to malicious websites, and enable man-in-the-middle attacks intercepting online communications and data packets.
Trojan Horses
Trojan horses are malicious programs and applications that look legitimate from the outside but are harmful in nature. When you download and install them on your device they execute harmful activities such as data theft, system hijacking, deploying additional malware loads and creating secret entry points to allow hackers unauthorized access to a device, network, application and system database. Zeus, ILOVEYOU, and Cryptolocker are some of the most well-known Trojan horses. Zeus is used to target financial institutes, cryptolocker encrypts files and demands payment for decryption. While ILOVEYOU overwrites files and steals important passwords.
Hardware-Based Backdoors
In hardware-based backdoors, attackers modify hardware components to create covert points and vulnerabilities to use to launch Backdoor attacks. They infect Low-Level Software, and firmware embedded in the hardware components like motherboards, network devices, or integrated circuits to create backdoors. When these tampered components are attached to the device they download malicious codes, bypass security software and provide unauthorized access to the attackers. These loopholes can persist in the system even after operating system reinstallation or hard drive replacement due to their hiding in the hardware components.
Network-Based Backdoors
In network-based backdoors, cybercriminals use covert methods to allow unauthorized access or communication within a network. They create covert communication channels to secretly run malicious operations and steal user data without triggering any security alarm. To establish these sneaky channels cybercriminals manipulate network protocols to transmit information cleverly concealing data within innocuous web traffic. They modulate the timing of packet transmissions to encode data in specific time intervals. Along with this, they modify network traffic by adjusting its volume to create backdoor network communication channels. Different sizes or frequencies can encode data that allow cybercriminals to send data packets without any detection. This way attackers effectively carry out different types of malicious attacks.
Maintenance Hooks
Sometimes developers and program vendors intentionally leave a backdoor in the software or system for maintenance, upgrades and testing purposes. Cybercriminals can find these loopholes and security gaps and deliver malware loads to a wide range of malicious activities. Hence, maintenance hooks pose a serious security threat and serve as a potential backdoor for active cyberpunks. It is highly necessary to manage these security gaps to prevent cyber threats and protect PC and online networks.
Accidental Backdoor
These are flaws and vulnerabilities that come into existence due to human error. Accidental backdoors are created due to oversights during development, such as leaving debugging code or default credentials in production environments. Another cause is to use default usernames and passwords to secure access points of new apps and software. In these conditions, bad actors can find them and exploit them to execute malicious activities.
What Security Risks Do Backdoor Attacks Pose?
Backdoor attacks pose a wide range of security risks for users and organizations at the same time. Black hats use them to steal sensitive information such as personal data, financial records, or intellectual property of a reputed company. They can install a wide range of malware using the secret passage to the PC, programs, systems and online networks. With the help of deadly malware such as spyware, ransomware, trojan horses and browser hijackers they can breach privacy, hijack devices, disrupt operations, commit financial frauds, and track online activities of users and organizations.
Backdoors provide hackers remote administrative access to devices and system settings. Using this they can install harmful software, and take full control of the compromised system. It enables them to get the top secrets, confidential communications, or strategic plans of an organization, state or local polity. Once they are in full control of these top networks and systems they can use them to launch further cyber attacks on people and other organizations. It puts all the blame on the involved agency which further damages its public reputation and erodes public reputation.
How to Prevent Backdoor Attacks?
There is no denying the fact that Backdoor is a serious cyber threat to online privacy, data and browser activities. Hackers can access and steal the personal information of internet users using backdoor attacks. But if you stay alert and use the best safety measures during your use of the Internet of Things you can easily survive these malicious activities. So, let’s cut to the chase, Here are some street-smart tips to prevent backdoor attacks and keep your digital life locked up tighter:
Make sure you download your apps, programs and files from official and trusted online sources. Avoid third-party platforms and random sites for important downloads and apps. Cybercriminals often set up random websites and online platforms to provide downloads. They infect these files with malware and viruses. When a user downloads files, malware also moves into the device along with the legitimate files that provide a secret entry point in the computer. Bad actors exploit it for data theft and cyber-attacks. Therefore, use only official sites for downloads and updates.
Create Strong Access Controls
First and foremost protect your digital access points with unique, and long passwords. Ditch default passcodes and set up strong ones using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Never share passwords with anyone. Let only the right people who you know well provide access to sensitive accounts. One weak link can break the whole iron chain as they say a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Don’t use simple and easily guessable passwords to secure your access points.
Stay on Your Toes
You should always check your security setups for any cracks and monitor your device and networks for unknown activities. Monitor your network traffic for its volume and activities. If you see a sudden change in speed and volume it is a strong indication that someone is trying to enter your device without your permission or there is some program actively running in the background and communicating with the outside server.
If you notice these changes and activities in the device then type ctrl+shift+Esc on your keyboard and check all the activities. Along with this, you can follow this process:
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Go to Network & Internet.
- Click on Data Usage to see the total data usage of the past 30 days for Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.
Report the Weird Stuff
When you look for the anomaly in the device functionality do not sit idly. Instead, report the issue to the relevant authority including the cybersecurity team, IT department or anyone responsible for the network security in the organization. The faster you take action to highlight the issue, the faster it will get resolved. Don`t wait for the device to resolve the issue on its own. It can have serious consequences down the line. So, act immediately and report the weird stuff at once.
Keep Work and Play Separate
It is highly recommended that you keep your business and personal gadgets like laptops, computers or any other devices separate. One wrong click on a shady link and you end up compromising your online security. Along with this, you lose business data and financial details. You won’t use your office desk for hosting a pizza party. Similarly, you mustn’t use your professional PC to do your online browsing.
Avoid Using Public WiFi
Public WiFi is an easy target for cybercriminals to create backdoors. They create spoofed WiFi networks and infect them with deadly malware such as ransomware, spyware and trojans. When you connect with these networks your device gets infected with multiple viruses. They create backdoors for the hackers which they use to infiltrate your device and do all malicious activities.
Hence, avoid using public WiFi networks on your device for any important online task. Even if you have to do this, make sure the connection is coming from a genuine resource. Also, always enable a VPN on your PC before you connect to the free-to-use internet service in public places. It will hide your IP address and device location from outside servers and network providers.
Use Firewall System
A firewall is an advanced network security tool that filters network traffic to detect malicious elements and acts as a barrier that detects and prevents cyber attacks coming in the form of legitimate data packets. It is a bodyguard of your network that keeps all the riff-raff away from you. So, activate the firewall when you are browsing online and doing important business tasks.
Hardware Integrity Checks
Hardware integrity is the first line of defence that people often ignore. Bad actors sow the seed of security breaches at the very beginning when digital gadgets are being assembled. They exploit this secret wormhole in the keyboards, mouse, hard drives and other collectables when a user connects them to the PC. Therefore, it is highly important to maintain hardware integrity in the production units and supply chain management.
Download Firmware Updates
Always download firmware updates to patch the vulnerabilities and security gaps in the hardware. It fixes the bugs, improves performance, adds new features and makes the hardware compatible with the latest technology improvements. Regularly updating firmware keeps the backdoor closed and malware infections in check. As a result, you enjoy a seamless computing experience.
Use Official Sites for Downloads
Make sure you download your apps, programs and files from official and trusted online sources. Avoid third-party platforms and random sites for important downloads and apps. Cybercriminals often set up random websites and online platforms to provide downloads. They infect these files with malware and viruses. When a user downloads files, malware also moves into the device along with the legitimate files that provide a secret entry point in the computer. Bad actors exploit it for data theft and cyber-attacks. Therefore, use only official sites for downloads and updates.
Use Premium Antivirus Software
Last but not least, install robust antivirus software on your device to prevent malware attacks on your device. Antimalware software protects your pc round the clock from unwanted intruders, spyware, ransomware, trojan horses and innumerable deadly online threats lurking in the dark. If your device is virus-infected and working as a hidden entry point for hackers, security software will detect and eliminate the virus before it takes any harmful action.
360 Antivirus Pro software monitors your computer in real-time and keeps your defences layered. It provides advanced security alerts and closes the backdoors to prevent data theft, privacy breaches and hacking. Hence, immunize your digital devices with strong antivirus and browse the internet confidently.
