Cybersecurity undoubtedly grows ever more important as the digital age advances. However, this progress means threat actors also find new ways to exploit new technologies for malicious purposes. One insidious method becoming more common these days is drive-by download attacks. This type of attack can slip by their victims unnoticed and wreak havoc among individuals and organisations. Below, we go over how hackers capitalise on drive-by download attacks to steal data and ways to protect against them.

Understanding drive-by download attacks

This cyberattack involves downloading and executing malicious code on a target device without the user’s permission or knowledge. It is generally used for delivering malware payloads, including keyloggers, ransomware, droppers, botnets, etc. Drive-by download attacks commonly occur in two ways: exploit kits and malvertising.

Exploit kits are collections of code that take advantage of specific vulnerabilities in devices and software. Meanwhile, malvertising is when hackers hide malicious advertisements on legitimate websites that redirect victims to another website that either hosts exploit kits or directly downloads malware into their system.

Preventing drive-by download attacks can be incredibly difficult since they mainly exploit unpatched or unknown vulnerabilities. Furthermore, they can strike even when users are on legitimate websites via malvertising, increasing the odds of successful attacks.

Damage potential of drive-by download attacks

Once the malware from the attack is installed, it can do all sorts of damage ranging from stealing sensitive information or taking control of their computer to serving as a platform for launching attacks on other endpoints. Drive-by download attacks can either be an active attack or a passive attack.

In an active attack, hackers trick victims into clicking links that take them to malicious websites where they get infected with malware. Meanwhile, a passive attack involves hackers exploiting browser vulnerabilities to infect their target’s computer without their knowledge or interaction.

The type of attack also determines its malware payload. For instance, if the goal is to steal sensitive data, hackers may create malicious scripts that execute once victims visit a specific website and gather information like login credentials. The consequences of an attack can range from financial loss to adware infection and even data encryption in the case of ransomware.

Tips to protect against drive-by downloads

Although there is no clear-cut way of ensuring a website is safe, there are preventative measures to protect against drive-by download attacks.

● Beware of pop-up ads and steer clear of suspicious links and websites

Being aware of the sites and links you interact with is one of the best ways to steer clear of drive-by downloads. Take note of the telltale signs of a website’s safety, such as using the “https://” protocol in its URL or having the padlock icon in the address bar. Think twice before interacting with pop-up windows; they could lure you into executing a drive-by download onto your device.

● Regularly update operating systems

It is vital to regularly update your devices’ operating system with the latest security patch to prevent threat actors from using drive-by download attacks to get hold of your sensitive data.

● Use traffic filtering solutions

Traffic filtering software scans inbound and outbound data traffic to block malicious traffic or malware from reaching your PC, preventing it from compromising your devices or leaking information to suspicious recipients.

Conclusion

Drive-by download attacks are a significant threat becoming more popular among threat actors who find new ways to use them for their malicious purposes. Hence, organisations and individuals need to understand the potential risks of these attacks and employ the necessary countermeasures to mitigate them. Ultimately, being proactive is key to avoiding becoming a victim of this cyber attack.

To better stay protected against emerging threats, consider leveraging a CREST-certified company, as it is a smart move you can make. GROUP8’s offensive-inspired cybersecurity services keep you ahead in today’s evolving threat landscape – our renowned solutions cover the entire cybersecurity system, including endpoint security, web security, data loss prevention, and VAPT services. Contact us at hello@group8.co to learn more.