APT

Four Foreign Forces: A CTI Analysis of APTs Targeting the U.S.

Abstract:

This paper analyzes the cyber threat landscape posed by advanced persistent threats (APTs) attributed to China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. It focuses on active groups and their cyber activities targeting the United States. Utilizing cyber threat intelligence data from authoritative sources such as Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Mandiant, and MITRE, this study identifies twelve key APT groups attributed to the four adversarial nations and creates a quick profile for each nation and group. It explores the common techniques and sub-techniques employed by each nation and then across all four nations. Examination of these nations, groups, and techniques then informs a list of six actionable mitigations that will enhance cybersecurity defenses targeting these adversarial groups in an efficient manner: User Training, Restrict Web-Based Content, Privileged Account Management, Network Intrusion Prevention, Execution Prevention, and Antivirus/Antimalware.

Published In

Volume 23, Issue 4

Written By

Bryon Miller

Antivirus False-Positive Alerts, Evading Malware Detection, and Cybersecurity Issues

ABSTRACT

The continuous development of evolving malware types creates a need to study and understand how antivirus products detect and alert users. This paper investigates today’s antivirus solutions and how their false-positive alerts affect software development and the distribution process. The authors discuss and demonstrate how antivirus detection deals with bespoke applications and how this can be reversed and manipulated to evade detection, allowing the process to be used by malicious software developers. The paper also demonstrates how an undetected malicious piece of software can be developed without using advanced hiding techniques, which will also be capable of overcoming reputation-based detection systems.

Published In

Volume 12, Issue 3

Non-State Cyber Power in ONG

ABSTRACT

The revelation of long-standing espionage operations by state actors against private entities over the past decade speaks to an application of cyber capabilities that shifts the focus from direct and ancillary use in high-intensity confrontations to indirect supply- chain attacks and economic warfare. By observing recent cyber-related events within the oil and gas industries, conclusions can be drawn on emerging patterns of attack and the increasing role of non-state actors in geopolitical conflicts proliferated by the growing weight of information as a means of expressing power. This analysis also presents the opportunity to scrutinize future implications of cyber conflict, with respect to both a current and historical context.

Published In

Volume 13, Issue 3

Journal of Information Warfare

The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.

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The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.

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