There are dozens of ways malware can get onto your system. In most cases, infections involve a user-initiated action like opening a malicious attachment or executing a .exe file acquired from some sketchy corner of the internet.
As the world becomes more connected, malware is also on an unstoppable course toward your devices. You may not even know it’s happening until you open a file or download something from the internet and are immediately attacked by viruses that want nothing but chaos for you. Let’s start by learning some of the basics.
What Is A Drive-By Download?
A drive-by download is a type of malware that can infect your device without you even knowing it. When someone visits an infected website and downloads the virus onto their computer or mobile phone, it then spreads to other devices on its network like Bluetooth speakers, for example (or any wireless connection). The most common way this occurs is through advertisements found in popups online – these ads may be disguised as something else, such as social media buttons, but they’re just code designed by hackers looking to get access into all parts of our lives!
Important Reminder
If you visit a website that has malware, it can infect your computer without any warning.
With security flaws being exploited by drive-by downloads, your operating system and web browser must be up-to-date at all times. Businesses and home users alike need to keep their software updated to protect themselves and other unprotected devices from a potential infection or data theft if the systems were breached.
Cyberattacks have been on the rise since 2018 due mainly to malware like the WannaCry virus, which caused significant disruptions to companies such as Telefonica, FedEx Corp., and Honda Motor Company.
How Do Drive-By Downloads Work?
Drive-by downloads are a type of malware that can infect your computer without you even noticing. The term is usually used to describe the process where an attacker will host malicious code on their website, and when someone visits this site, they unknowingly download it onto his or her machine – hence “drive-by”. This attack method has been around for many years now but in recent times, exploit kits have made them more common than ever before!
The following describes the typical anatomy of a drive-by download attack:
- Exploit Kit Deployment: An exploit kit is a tool that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in software or web applications to deliver malware, ransomware, and other malicious files onto the device of an unsuspecting user without their consent.
- Contact: To spread the malicious content, adversaries must drive traffic to their exploit kit landing page. Traffic generation methods vary depending on where they deploy an attack:
- Attackers Server: Phishing scams are a common way to generate traffic for new websites. For instance, an email could come from the company founder and ask users to click on a link to win prizes that they never receive.
- Legitimate website: Legitimate websites are already making money and have their traffic sources, which makes it easier to attract more people.
- Malvertisement: The malicious content is spread through advertising services, whose ads may be displayed on websites and social media.
- Fingerprinting: When a visitor lands on the exploit kit landing page, it analyzes their fingerprint to determine if they’re vulnerable and are introduced into an even more malicious section of the site.
- Exploitation: The exploit kit automatically exploits the detected vulnerabilities to initiate the drive-by download. Targets with no suitable vulnerabilities may be ignored or redirected to a landing page that uses social engineering tactics, such as playing on people’s curiosity about newly discovered security risks, to dupe them into downloading malware.
- Execution: As soon as the malicious file is executed, it launches a multi-stage attack to deploy other malware types. Hackers frequently use obfuscation methods that make detection difficult throughout this entire process.
What Type Of Malware Can Be Installed By A Drive-By Attack?
The type of malware installed in a drive-by download attack is typically ransomware, spyware, or adware. The exploit kit automatically exploits the detected vulnerabilities to initiate this kind of infection, and targets with no suitable vulnerability may either ignored by redirected to another site. Hackers often use social engineering tactics such as playing off people’s curiosity about newly discovered security risks and dupe them into downloading some form of malicious software like trojans.
As soon as it has been executed, the file launches multi-stage attacks deploying other types of malware. Throughout its execution process, hackers frequently use obfuscation methods making detection difficult during all stages of this entire procedure. Still, there are ways you could protect yourself from these kinds of threats through running antivirus programs.
What Is An Exploit Kit
An exploit kit is a toolkit that contains software vulnerabilities and scripts to attack them. Exploit kits are often used by hackers in drive-by downloads, which can infect your computer without any warning if you visit the wrong website or open an email attachment from someone who has been hacked themselves.
Exploit kits offer a one-stop shop for cybercriminals. These easy-to-use tools are loaded with features like management consoles and technical support, making it easier than ever to launch an attack campaign without any coding know-how whatsoever. And if you’re looking for something specific in particular? Well, that’s where the exploit kit market comes into play – some of these highly sought-after products can cost thousands per month!
The modern exploit kits, such as Angler and Neutrino, work by scanning a website visitor’s system to see what vulnerabilities are present on the machine. Once it has identified these potential exploits, the kit automatically selects an attack method according to your vulnerability. The events’ sequence will then lead you from one malicious payload straight into another with no chance for escape!
Tips On Prevent Drive-By Downloads
To reduce the risk of drive-by download attacks, make sure your employees know that they can only use a trusted website for downloading files and stay away from websites offering downloads without first verifying them.
To avoid being vulnerable to such an attack, it is important to never click on links or open attachments in emails or messages if you do not know who sent them.
The following best practices can help reduce the risk of drive-by download attacks:
Always use an antivirus program.
This will help detect and remove any malware that may have been downloaded onto your computer without realizing it. It also protects against future attacks of this kind by scanning for vulnerabilities in the operating system or applications on which they are installed;
Install updates promptly when available.
These provide new features and patch security holes through software patches released with each update release from vendors such as Microsoft Windows (Windows), Apple Inc., Google Chrome OS/Android, etc.
Be careful what links you click while browsing online.
Some websites might be infected themselves, so clicking them could lead users into downloading malicious files unknowingly, like trojans viruses spyware adware, among other types of programs explicitly designed to steal.
The first step to cybersecurity is minimizing the attack surface.
Remove unused apps and browser extensions that you haven’t used in a while or never use at all for added protection from viruses. Apps which have not been updated are hazardous – remove them as well!
It’s not just email addresses that hackers can target.
Phishing is the process of using deceptive practices to get sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers from unsuspecting individuals. Although many people believe phishing emails are easy to spot, they try their hardest at being convincing! When you receive an unsolicited message with a sense of urgency or containing language relevant only to your industry, it might be time to take caution as this could very well have been sent out intentionally to trick users into clicking on malware-infected links. These messages use social engineering techniques such as spoofing (making something look genuine) or bait content (content explicitly designed, so someone clicks on them). Never click blindly without first verifying the URL.
Remove Unused Apps And Extensions
Do you feel like your web browsing is a fast-paced action movie? You’re not alone. The way that ads are delivered on the internet has been evolving rapidly, which has led to an increase in malicious software being distributed through ad networks. An easy solution for blocking these types of attacks is by installing a reputable ad blocker and any other security programs needed to make sure your computer stays safe from viruses or malware infections!
Summary
Malware that infiltrates your devices without you ever laying a hand on your mouse is the riskiest type of malware. These drive-by download attacks can come from malicious or compromised legitimate websites through exploit kits, which deliver malware to the victim’s device by simply visiting their website. Keeping up with updates for any applications and using good antivirus software, and installing an ad blocker are all ways to protect yourself from potential threats such as these.
If all else fails, reach out to Spilt Media and speak to one of our skilled IT professionals who will audit your computers and network to make sure you are protected from these types of malicious attacks.