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It is notorious that when it comes to the security aspect, in the current scenario, companies need constantly to reinforce their respective defenses to be able to prevent any invasion attempts on their infrastructure.
However, due to the growth in the number of attacks carried out by hackers, undoubtedly new methods (on their part) were inserted, in order to further exploit security holes in companies, and consequently succeed in the attempts to hack. In this respect, there are attacks known as “Deepfakes”.
What is this type of attack about?
How do hackers adopt this kind of attack on companies?
Is it possible to set up defense mechanisms in order to prevent it?
It is about this and other points that we will address in this article.
UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PHISHING
Initially, intending to improve our understanding of the “Deepfake” attack, let’s recap what the attack known as “Phishing” is all about. This attack adopts the method of deceiving victims, with false information, in order to trick them into sharing private information (such as system access credentials to systems, card passwords, among others) with cyber criminals.
In this sense, Phishing usually occurs mainly by electronic means, such as e-mails, where the attacker uses a false identity (which may impersonate another company, for example). And with this, the end user, sometimes due to lack of prior knowledge of how to distinguish whether an email is reliable or not, ends up being a victim of this scam, and has your information captured improperly.
So now that we’ve recapitulated the Phishing attack, let’s understand what the “Deepfake” attack is all about.
THE DEEPFAKE ATTACK
The “Deepfake” attack consists in adopting a similar approach to the Phishing attack, but with the inclusion of technological elements that simulate that it is a real communication of a particular individual (sometimes known to the person who is suffering the attempted attack), with the intention of carrying out any illegal action.
It is thus possible to verify, in this way, that the “Deepfake” attack has as one of its hallmarks the falsification of a certain individual.
Attack methods
Here are some ways hackers use to implement such an attack:
Audio recording
As an example, we can cite the recording of an audio where a criminal tries to impersonate another person, using specific personal characteristics of the person himself, in order to deceive the victim who receives this communication.
Video recording
In addition to the use of audio, a “Deepfake” attack may also be based on the use of videos, where hackers even have the potential to circumvent even security technologies in some cases.
With this, how can we increase a company’s protection mechanisms for preventing these types of attacks, since even security systems can end up being ineffective for such attacks in some cases?
Ways to prevent attacks
The answer to this question, undoubtedly, is not identical to all companies, and may vary according to the profile of each institution and its respective technological infrastructure.
Another point to consider is that there is no system or solution that guarantees 100% security. As a result, all systems (no matter how secure they are) may be susceptible to some kind of attack. However, here are some important points related to preventing this type of attack in question (Deepfake):
Strengthening user identity
The more a given user has his identity strengthened, the fewer risks he runs of another individual succeeding in impersonating him in a Deepfake attack.
Thus, it is important to create means so that this user can always securely authenticate himself to the respective services of the company. To achieve this, authentication means based on MFA (Multi-factor authentication) can be considered. In this authentication model for a given user to access a company system, the user needs (even after placing his/her credentials) an approval through a second device (of its respective use).
Network traffic mapping
Given that Deepfake attacks can generate considerable network traffic due to media usage, especially video, it is essential that the company has full mapping of what is actually traveling on the network.
For this reason, it is crucial for the company to be able to visualize the types of applications that are being used, as well as the traffic that is spent, respectively. In this way, possible deviations of consumption can be identified, as well as suspicious traffic.
Use of additional security tools
According to the company’s profile, as well as the type of business that is marketed, it may be necessary to use additional security tools, which make it difficult for attacks (arising from the falsification of the identity of users) to be successful.
With this in mind, currently evaluate some factors related to the communication of your company, as well as the internal communication tools. It is essential that the company uses only applications that are previously approved by the IT team and in accordance with the company’s security policy.
Other important guidelines
Other instructions (regarding the manipulation of company data) are vital, such as, for example, prohibiting the transfer of company files through applications not previously authorized by the IT team.
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
As we have seen during this article, Deepfakes attacks can cause serious disruption to your company if successful. For this reason, it is essential that more and more companies are attentive to the theme of Security.
We live in an era where technology has grown and innovated considerably. However, similarly, hacker attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and complex to identify.
For this reason, it is essential that your company has mechanisms to ensure the continuity of services, as well as to adequate means for security, aimed at reducing as much as possible the risks of an invasion from cyber criminals.
With this in mind, Telcomanager, Latin America’s leader in the software network management sector, in the market since 2002, with a unique and innovative methodology, provides intelligent solutions for data monitoring to give complete visibility to the customer’s infrastructure. This allows your company to keep track of the main aspects of your network.
Published on 05/06/2022
