How to Prevent Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)?

Secure your organization today by learning how to prevent advanced persistent threats from developing. Detect infections and remediate them before they escalate.

An Advanced Persistent Threat Attack is a type of cyber attack where an attacker will gain unauthorized access into your network. They will proceed to invade it and stay undetected for an extended period of time. The goal of an APT attack is to steal valuable data, perform threat reconnaissance, and disrupt your organization’s business continuity over time. APT attacks are well-crafted and take a very long time to execute.

They are launched by skilled hacker groups, nation-state actors, and organized criminal organizations. These groups are known to create a strong foothold and then move laterally across different parts of networks to collect intelligence. APT attacks are difficult to defend against because they remain well-hidden and adversaries can adapt and evolve their tactics as time progresses so that they can successfully bypass the organization’s growing defenses.

What is an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)?

Advanced Persistent Threat attacks are stealth-based cyber attacks, and they are covert. They remain hidden until the attacker has collected enough intelligence about your organization. The amount of time an adversary will spend researching your infrastructure is mind-blowing, and you won’t even notice. You know an APT attack is successful when you never see them coming.

APT attacks are dangerous because they are persistent, which means the attacker keeps tabs on the target and tries to compromise it in any way possible. The attacker will also explore different angles of exploitation and see if their target can be compromised further. This is what makes advanced persistent threat attacks different from regular cyber attacks.

How Do APTs Work?

APT attacks can be layered, which is what makes them so unique when compared to other types of cyberattacks. The attacker will tailor their tactics to collect intelligence about their targets. They put a lot of time and great detail into their planning. In other cyberattacks, the adversary may just plant some generic malware and distribute it widely, hoping to infect as many systems as possible. But an APT attack can be divided into multiple layers and stages.

They might use different techniques to break into your network and move laterally inside. The attacker might use a blend of social engineering and phishing emails to trick users into giving up their sensitive information. They might exploit software or hardware vulnerabilities and gain network entry.

APT attacks are challenging to fight against because they are adaptive, constantly changing, and can take on different angles than expected. They have no predictable patterns, so organizations need to implement a strong and versatile cybersecurity strategy. That’s the only way to master how to prevent advanced persistent threat attacks and defend themselves.

How to Detect Advanced Persistent Threats?

You can detect and learn how to prevent advanced persistent threat attacks by being aware of the warning signs. Here are some things to pay attention to:

• Large spikes in traffic volumes or unusual data flows from internal devices to external and other networks can be a sign that your communication is being compromised. If your work accounts are being accessed outside of regular business hours and you notice suspicious logins, then you know the answer.
• APTs can work hidden in the background and keep collecting valuable information.
• Recurring malware infections that create backdoors are another sign. They allow APT actors the opportunity to exploit in the future. Look for backdoors that propagate malware, especially ones that keep on returning and infiltrate networks.
• Sudden data bundles with gigabytes of data that appear at locations where the data should not be present are a clear indicator of an incoming APT attacks. If the data is compressed in archived formats, which the organization normally doesn’t use, you know you have to start looking into it then.
• If certain employees in your organization are receiving strange emails, it could be a possibility that they are being targeted. Spear phishing emails are commonly used by APT attackers and they form the initial intrusion phase, which is one of the most critical components of the APT attack kill chain.
• Attackers will also spend a great deal of time looking into your endpoints and analyze them. They might also look for vulnerabilities in your security policies and aim to exploit any flaws and weaknesses, such as making your systems fall out of compliance.

Best Practices to Prevent and Mitigate APT Attacks

The first step in learning how to stop an advanced persistent threat attack is to understand which categories of data it targets and how they can be classified. An APT attack will secretly steal information about your intellectual property, cause financial crimes and theft, and aim to destroy your organization.

Hacktivists also aim to expose your business and leak information. There are three stages of an advanced persistent threat attack: infiltration, escalation and lateral movement, and exfiltration. Data exfiltration is the last phase where they will extract information from documents and data without being found. They might produce a lot of white noise by using bottlenecks and distraction tactics to misdirect victims. DNS tunneling must be screened for, making it challenging to locate.

Here are the best practices to prevent and mitigate APT attacks:

• Start off by monitoring your network parameters and use the best endpoint security solutions. You should analyze ingress and egress traffic to prevent creating any backdoors and block stolen data extraction attempts.
• Install the latest web application firewalls, patch systems, and keep them up to date. They will help you safeguard vulnerable attack surfaces and minimize the coverage area.
• When dealing with these threats, firewalls can isolate application layer attacks and prevent RFI and SQL injection attempts. Internal traffic monitoring tools will give you a granular view that can help detect abnormal traffic behaviors.
• You can monitor access to systems and prevent sensitive file sharing. Remove backdoor shells and detect weaknesses in your infrastructure by preventing the attacker’s remote requests from passing through.
• Allowlisting can help you manage your domains and whitelist apps your users can install. You can lower the success rate of APT attacks by limiting app installations and what other attack surfaces that are available to them. However, this method might not always work because even highly trustworthy domains can be compromised.
• Attackers could disguise malicious files as legitimate software. To make allowlisting work, you need to enforce strict update policies so that your users are aware of using the most recent version of all apps on your whitelists.

Real-World Examples of APT Attacks

Here are some real-world examples of APT attacks:

• A classic example of an APT attack in the real world is the case of the Target Data Breach by the RAM Scraper attack. It happened a decade ago but became one of history’s most successful advanced persistent threat attacks. The lousy actor had exploited a compromised vendor and gained unauthorized access into the target’s ecosystem. They found their way into the target’s POS devices and clung to their networks for roughly three weeks, stealing enough information about 40 billion credit cards. The threat actors quietly moved out that volume of data, and they did it in a single transfer.
• KasperSky discovered new advanced persistent threat attacks that were launched by a subgroup of Lazarus. The attackers modified a well-known malware called DTrack and they used a brand new Maui ransomware. The targets were high-profile organizations around the world. The group had expanded its attack geography and had affected public and healthcare organizations with its ransomware strain. The malware was deployed and executed as an embedded shell code. It loaded a final Windows In-Memory payload. DTrack collected system data and browser history via a series of Windows commands. The dwell time within target networks lasted for months before its activity and detection.
• The LuckyMouse group used a Trojan variant of the Mimi messaging service to gain backdoor access to organizations. They targeted macOS, Windows, and Linux devices, and had hijacked at least 13 companies across Taiwan and the Philippines.
• A Russian-backed group that went by the name of SEABORGIUM had also carried out spying activities in Europe for five years. They used a series of phishing emails to infiltrate OneDrive and LinkedIn accounts.

Conclusion

Strong access controls will be your first defense against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). You should also use endpoint detection and response (EDR) and extended detection and response (XDR) solutions to combat APT threats and gain real-time visibility into your infrastructure. Penetration testing and traffic monitoring are key. By improving your organization’s ability to detect, react to, and defend against APT attacks, you can reduce the likelihood of future attacks. Look at security as a whole and also make sure that the proper cyber hygiene practices are in place, so that attackers can’t prey on your users’ gullibility, nor exploit potential system flaws and vulnerabilities, since you find them out early by yourself.

FAQs

What is an APT in cybersecurity?

An APT is a hidden cyber threat that sneaks into networks and avoids quick detection. Attackers might study your business for weeks or months, looking for weak spots before they strike. They can steal data, mess with operations, or gather secret information.

An APT is called “persistent” because it never fully leaves. It keeps lurking, ready to act again when you least expect it.

Why are APT attacks difficult to prevent?

They’re tough to stop because attackers have plenty of time to plan, and they know how to dodge normal security rules. They might disguise their code or jump from one part of your network to another, leaving almost no trace. They also adapt quickly when defenses improve, which helps them stay hidden. As they remain patient, they get chances to grab more data or cause even bigger damage.

How do APT groups operate?

APT groups often act like stealthy spies. They sneak in through phishing emails or weak apps, and then they move through internal systems with care. They watch for valuable files, gather secrets, and get ready to launch deeper attacks.

Sometimes they hide in everyday software, so nobody suspects a problem. By the time anyone realizes something is off, these groups have already mapped out the target’s key assets.

What are the Key Characteristics of Advanced Persistent Threats?

Advanced Persistent Threats focus on patience, stealth, and clever attacks. They often pick specific targets, such as major companies or government groups. These threats stay active over long periods, collecting insider knowledge before taking action.

They use various methods, such as hidden malware and fake logins, to blend into normal traffic. Once they latch on, they adapt to any security improvement, so they remain an ongoing danger.

How Organizations Can Respond to an APT Attack?

Groups can fight an APT by raising their guard and acting quickly. They need careful network monitoring to spot weird data flow or strange login attempts. They can block suspicious emails and update all software to stop known bugs. If they find a threat, they should isolate the affected systems and dig into what went wrong. This approach helps cut off attackers and protect vital data from future harm.

How can businesses improve their security posture to resist APTs?

Businesses should keep an eye on their networks at all times and set strong rules for passwords. They can also check for new patches and install them right away, which closes risky gaps in systems.

Some groups hire security testers to find holes in defenses before criminals do. Staff training is useful too, because employees who spot suspicious emails and links can stop an attack before it takes hold.

What are the Common Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) Used in APTs?

APT attackers rely on stealthy methods like phishing, spear phishing, or zero-day exploits. They slip in by tricking people to open infected files or click shady links. Once inside, they hide as normal system processes and avoid quick detection. They might create backdoors to maintain access or pass stolen data through hidden channels. Over time, they upgrade their tactics to dodge updates and keep their hold on the target.