Do you work in IT or cybersecurity? Or perhaps you have a keen interest in all things technology, computers and cybersecurity. Whatever the case, it pays to stay informed about cyber threats, as these are a very real vulnerability for most companies. From denial of service to trojan horses and ransomware, you need to stay informed about cyber vulnerabilities and potential attacks.
Drive-by download attacks, also known as watering hole attacks, occur when a threat actor compromises a website, link or digital advertisement, subsequently tricking users into downloading malware from those corrupted links. This article will serve as a comprehensive guide on drive-by download attacks. We’ll cover what drive-by download attacks are, how they work, some key examples and the different types of drive-by download attacks. Finally, we’ll cover how they can be detected and prevented. So, continue reading to learn more about this valuable topic.
What is a Drive-by Download Attack?
A drive-by download is a type of cyberattack in which a malicious software application is installed on the victim’s device without their prior knowledge or consent. The drive-by download is usually triggered when the victim visits a website that has become infected with malware.
In most cases with drive-by downloads, the user doesn’t even need to click on any links, download files or open malicious attachments to catch a virus. The malware behind the infected web page works quickly to exploit any vulnerabilities and security flaws in the user’s internet browser or operating system as soon as the victim enters the infected website.
Cybercriminals can also use drive-by download attacks to infiltrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices with various kinds of malware. They can also modify both inbound and outbound data traffic, alter your device so it won’t function properly anymore and steal personal data, payment details of credit and debit cards, and passwords to other websites you visit.
How it Works and Examples of Drive-by Download Attacks
Malicious drive-by downloads may be nestled within otherwise innocent and normal-looking websites. You might receive a link in a text message, email or social media post that directs you to look at something interesting on a site. This may come from a trusted friend or family member who has had their account compromised by malicious actors. When you open the web page, and while you are enjoying an interesting article or cartoon, the malicious download is silently being installed on your computer.
Types of Drive-by Download Attacks
Now, we’ll spend some time discussing the different types of drive-by download attacks.
Authorised Attacks
There is a type of drive-by download called an authorised attack. These occur when a website or software seller offers a usually trustworthy program that is downloaded automatically when a user visits the website or uses a software product. In most cases, the user is alerted about the download and may be prompted to approve the installation. As it’s a trusted source, most people will accept the download.
Unauthorised Attacks
The next type is called unauthorised downloads. These occur without any download prompt or pop-up window. Attacks, known as unauthorised drive-by downloads, occur when malicious hackers infiltrate a website and insert harmful code into its HTML or JavaScript files. The visitor may not even be aware that malware was downloaded onto their machine if cyber criminals have compromised the site.
An unauthorised drive-by download operates in several distinct stages, and despite its apparent simplicity of infection, the process is as follows:
- A hacker or group of hackers infects a legitimate website by first compromising its security by exploiting a vulnerability and inserting a malicious component.
- The visitor then triggers the component. When you visit the infected webpage, the component automatically detects any security flaws in your device.
- The component downloads the malware: The automated component then downloads malware onto your computer or phone, using the previously exploited security vulnerabilities.
- The malware executes its task. The malware executes its nefarious task, allowing the hacker to gain control of your device and interfere with or steal information from it.
How Can Drive-by Download Attacks be Detected and Prevented?
There are several ways to prevent drive-by download attacks. For companies, while having a robust IT department of qualified computing professionals with online cyber security course qualifications is crucial, ensuring regular employees are aware of cyber threats is equally as important.
Website owners and administrators play the most crucial role in prevention. They need to ensure that their website elements, such as plugins, extensions and add-ons, are kept patched and up to date. They also need to check and review ads on their website carefully. Hackers will often infect ads to distribute malicious payloads as drive-by downloads.
Another thing companies can do is get rid of outdated and obsolete software—it’s a malicious hacker’s favourite entry point to their online domain.
Systems admins and network administrators need to use a strong password for the main admin account. You should also consider using a password manager to generate robust passwords capable of withstanding brute-force attacks that hackers may use to gain entry into your systems.
Website owners can also set web application firewalls (known as WAFs) to follow, monitor and filter their website’s traffic closely. They should also restrict third-party components on their web pages to diminish the chances of various types of malware infections. Furthermore, they should use a secure internet protocol compatible with HTTPS. This is because browsers encrypted with HTTPS are harder for hackers to crack and insert malicious payloads used for drive-by downloads.
Furthermore, expert security researchers can detect drive-by downloads by keeping track of web addresses that they know have a history of dodgy or malicious behaviour and by using web crawlers to wander the World Wide Web and visit different pages. If a web page initiates a download on a test computer, the site is given a risky reputation rating. Links in spam sca,m messages, and other nefarious communications can also be used as source lists for these tests.
A Security Summary
This helpful article has provided a deep dive into drive-by download attacks and what you need to know about them. We’ve covered their definitions, the different types, and how cybersecurity professionals and website administrators can prevent and detect them.
