Human Vulnerabilities in Cyber Security
03.07.2023
Back to blog listAs technology continues to advance, one persistent problem remains: the vulnerability of humans to cyberattacks.
While many may envision hackers as masterminds using intricate technical methods, the reality is that most successful attacks are a result of exploiting human error. Whether these vulnerabilities are more obvious or hidden, they remain the primary target for hackers.
So why are humans more susceptible to these attacks compared to software or code? By examining notable cyber attacks, we can gain insight into how hackers exploit human weaknesses.
Phishing Attacks
Contrary to popular belief, hackers are not always socially inept programmers driven by a compulsion to breach security systems. In fact, some hackers use their social skills to infiltrate networks. For instance, consider the case of Valdir Paulo de Almeida and his team, who orchestrated a notorious phishing operation. At the peak of their activity, they sent out an astonishing three million phishing emails daily, resulting in the theft of more than $37 million in bank card information. This attack affected not only regular individuals but also various organizations and foundations.
This example illustrates how hackers capitalize on human trust and susceptibility. In phishing attacks, hackers often send deceptive emails or messages pretending to be from trusted sources, enticing individuals to disclose sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details. By exploiting human trust and curiosity, hackers gain access to personal data that can be used for fraudulent purposes.
Social Engineering
Another method hackers employ to exploit human vulnerabilities is social engineering. This technique involves manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security measures. For instance, hackers may impersonate an authorized individual or utilize psychological techniques to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive data or granting unauthorized access. By exploiting human emotions and tendencies, such as trust, fear, or urgency, hackers can bypass technological safeguards and gain illicit access.
Training and Awareness
To combat human vulnerabilities in cyber security, organizations must prioritize training and awareness programs. It is essential to educate employees and individuals about common threats, such as phishing, social engineering, and other tactics employed by cybercriminals. By fostering a culture of vigilance, individuals can learn to identify and respond to potential threats effectively. Regular training sessions, simulated attacks, and updates on current trends in cybercrime can significantly strengthen defenses against human-driven cyberattacks.
In conclusion, while technology plays a significant role in cyber security, it is crucial to recognize and address human vulnerabilities. By understanding the methods employed by hackers to exploit human weaknesses, organizations and individuals can take proactive steps to protect themselves against cyber threats. Through continuous education, awareness, and robust security measures, we can minimize the impact of human vulnerabilities and create a more secure digital environment.
Theft and pilferage
The Cobalt Group, a notorious hacking organization, was unfazed by traditional phishing methods and instead utilized it as their primary mode of attack. Their operation began with a spam email, strategically designed to pique the curiosity of unsuspecting employees. Once opened, the malware infiltrated their computers, albeit with a larger objective in mind.
To gain control over valuable IT assets, the hackers sought administrator access. The malware scoured the network for a specific encrypted file containing the administrator's credentials. Remarkably, Microsoft inadvertently aided the hackers by providing the universal decryption key on their official website for administrative purposes.
Preventing the criminals from accessing their ill-gotten gains posed its own challenges. Although ATM terminals and banking systems are isolated from public networks, the hackers employed outdated communication protocols and traffic masking techniques to establish a secure channel of communication. Ordinary PC users unknowingly acted as conduits, bridging the gap between the isolated, secure infrastructure and the public network.
When the stage was set, the most straightforward approach to theft was to empty the ATMs, requiring meticulous coordination, organization, and efficiency. These crimes transcended geographical borders, with the Cobalt Group orchestrating simultaneous operations in dozens of countries. Perhaps their most infamous exploits involved multiple Asian ATMs, which swiftly dispensed cash within a matter of minutes. The financial losses suffered by the bank exceeded $2,000,000 in a distressingly short span of time.
An early bird catches the worm
Vladimir Levin, known as a pioneer in the world of Russian cybercrime, managed to abscond with $10.7 million from Citibank back in 1994. However, some of his colleagues doubt his technical prowess and speculate that he purchased the data he used for a mere $100 from another group of Russian hackers. Interestingly, valuable information can be obtained at even cheaper or no cost at all, as seen in the leaked username and password from French TV channel TV5Monde. In a video interview, the password was unconcealed on stickers displayed on a wall in the background. Cracker groups also exhibit a curious behavior of targeting one another. Shadow Broker, for instance, successfully breached the Equation Group and purportedly stole "NSA cyber weapons." The exploits and tools used by government hackers have even surfaced in the public domain. It is believed that a government employee overlooked removing these tools from the server after the Equation Group had finished their operations, thereby granting access to Shadow Broker.
Just ask for help
But there's another way cybercriminals exploit the human element to their advantage. The Revolt Group recently unveiled a method to bypass Denuvo, the protection technology implemented by most game developers. Their scheme relies on the voluntary cooperation of users who have already purchased the game, enabling the cybercriminals to examine the information exchanged between the user's computer and the game servers. Using this data, they inject the necessary code into pirated versions of the game. It is quite plausible that users would willingly share such information with hackers, given the vocal criticism from gamers who condemn Denuvo for slowing down protected games. These critics often find themselves sympathizing with the "Robin Hoods" within the cracker community. However, the recent indictment of Voksi, the group's leader, by the police suggests that the effectiveness of this method is yet to be fully determined. Fortunately, these criminals are eventually apprehended just like ordinary individuals. Take, for instance, the leader of the notorious Cobalt Group, one of the most wanted hacker organizations. He was arrested in a rather unremarkable fashion, as debt collectors intervened when they discovered that he had purchased a luxury car on credit with no intention of repaying the loan.
*It is important to note the distinction between a hacker and a cracker in the English language. A hacker is someone skilled in breaking into electronic devices, networks, and computer systems to assess their security, identify vulnerabilities, and enhance them. On the other hand, a cracker is an individual who illicitly breaks into electronic devices to engage in activities such as data theft, identity theft, financial theft, network disruption, and system damage.
Thus, hacking encompasses the search for flaws and endeavors to improve systems, while cracking involves illegal activities of breaching systems for personal gain.
