Cyberattacks that make headlines tend to be dramatic: zero-day exploits, highly sophisticated ransomware, or enormous data breaches that paralyse companies. But while the cybersecurity spotlight often shines on these high-profile threats, the reality is that attackers more frequently rely on ordinary, well-documented techniques to compromise systems. These "boring" tactics aren’t just common but alarmingly effective.

In fact, the vast majority of attackers, regardless of their motivations, don’t need advanced exploits to break into a system. They follow tried-and-tested methods, often reusing the same scripts, tools, and techniques because they continue to deliver results. Overlooking these tactics can leave organisations vulnerable to breaches that are entirely preventable.

Companies must recognise that mastering the fundamentals is not optional. Getting the basics right is the most powerful way to prevent common attack vectors from escalating into costly incidents.

Why attackers rely on basic tradecraft

Threat actors tend to prioritise efficiency and profits above everything else. These motivations are why basic hacking techniques remain in regular use. They’re:

• Simple – Often exploiting human mistakes or overlooked misconfigurations.
• Low-cost – Accessible without needing expensive infrastructure or advanced tooling.
• Reliable – Predictable in both execution and outcome.
• Stealthy – Able to blend in with normal network activity, delaying detection.

For cybercriminals, these methods are repeatable and scalable. They enable a "spray and pray" approach across numerous targets with minimal risk. But for defenders, these commonplace techniques present a relentless, ongoing challenge.

One of the biggest mistakes organisations make is assuming that default settings, access controls, or segmentation policies are properly configured. Even experienced IT teams can develop blind spots, especially in complex production environments with varying user needs, compliance requirements, and legacy systems.

This is where professional cybersecurity services can be a game changer. A well-established penetration testing company in Singapore can help validate assumptions, uncover misconfigurations, and expose weak points before attackers do.

Common tradecraft that still works (and still hurts)

Let’s look at some of the most frequently used tactics in the attacker’s arsenal. They may not sound exciting, but underestimating them can cost your organisation dearly.

1. Brute force attacks

Brute force attacks might lack the sophistication of a zero-day exploit, but they remain a popular method of unauthorised entry. Their appeal lies in their simplicity; just hammer login fields with potential credentials until something works. And with automation tools, attackers can execute thousands of login attempts in minutes.

Defensively, brute force attempts are easy to miss. For example, on Windows systems, repeated login failures quickly fill endpoint event logs. These logs can roll over rapidly, potentially wiping traces of other malicious activity in the process. Moreover, brute force traffic often resembles the behaviour of legitimate tools like network inventory scanners or patch management systems.

There are now several best practices to counter against these attacks, such as:

• Avoid relying solely on IP geolocation deny-lists. Attackers constantly adapt to circumvent these measures.
• Use cyber security services like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) to detect brute force patterns early and preserve logs for further SOC analysis.
• Implement account lockout policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the success rate of brute force attacks.

2. Credential theft

For attackers, stealing credentials is one of the most efficient paths to privileged access. Why exploit a vulnerability when you can just log in? Once inside, reused or poorly managed credentials often allow lateral movement across systems with minimal resistance.

Credential theft is often facilitated by overlooked risks. Attackers might:

• Extract saved Wi-Fi credentials from infected hosts.
• Leverage tools to harvest cached passwords en masse.

These aren't novel techniques, but they continue to be effective, especially when security hygiene is inconsistent across the network.

What you can do:

• Use network segmentation to contain damage and limit lateral movement.
• Eliminate local administrator rights on workstations unless strictly necessary.
• Invest in Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) solutions to proactively monitor for signs of credential abuse.

Partnering with a provider of pen test services in Singapore can also help simulate these credential-based attacks and uncover weak spots in identity management.

3. Lateral movement

Once attackers gain a foothold, their next move is often lateral movement, expanding their reach across the network, typically in search of high-value targets or sensitive data. And, unfortunately, attackers are surprisingly successful at this.

Lateral movement often leverages built-in tools like PsExec, RDP, or SMB in Windows and open-source frameworks like CrackMapExec. These tools are designed for legitimate admin purposes, which makes malicious use harder to detect. Failed lateral movement attempts tend to be a rare occurrence as attackers know exactly what to do, and it works.

Preventing lateral movement involves steps such as:

• Removing unnecessary administrative access and reducing communication channels that aren’t vital to operations.
• Auditing how and when privileged accounts are used, and monitor them closely.
• Deploying Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools that can flag unusual access patterns or privilege escalation.

Organisations in Southeast Asia can also benefit from VAPT services that simulate realistic attack scenarios, including lateral movement, to improve internal visibility and response mechanisms.

4. Tunnelling

Tunnelling techniques allow attackers to quietly maintain access to a compromised environment while evading traditional security controls. These methods involve encapsulating traffic within another protocol, typically over encrypted channels like SSH or HTTPS, making them hard to detect.

Tunneling is particularly effective at bypassing well-configured firewalls and perimeter defences. Since many tunneling techniques rely on legitimate utilities, distinguishing between benign and malicious usage requires deep context and behavioural analysis.

To prevent tunnelling threats, make sure to:

• Monitor for unusual tunnelling activity with Managed EDR tools.
• Investigate encrypted outbound traffic, especially from endpoints that don’t typically require it.
• Audit remote access tools and disable any that are not business-critical.

Conclusion

The most dangerous cyberattacks aren’t always the most complex. In fact, what makes common tradecraft so threatening is its predictability, affordability, and effectiveness. For attackers, these tactics represent low-hanging fruit. For defenders, they demand constant vigilance. The good news? Because these attack patterns are so consistent, they’re also preventable. By mastering the fundamentals, organisations can drastically reduce their exposure.

Investing in cybersecurity isn’t about chasing the latest threat trend. It’s about building a resilient foundation that can withstand the quiet, everyday tactics that most attackers use. Don’t let the simplicity of these threats lull you into a false sense of security. The boring stuff still bites.

Your business deserves more than off-the-shelf cybersecurity. At Group8, we deliver bespoke solutions backed by deep technical expertise and real-world threat intelligence. Whether you're looking to assess your current security posture or deploy next-gen protection, our team is equipped to help you stay ahead of attackers. Ready to take your cybersecurity to the next level? Reach out to us at hello@group8.co; we’re here to help.