Exploit Kits: What Are They and How to Protect Your Business

In the vast, interconnected world of the internet, there’s a constant, silent battle happening in the background. While we browse, shop and socialize, cyber criminals are hard at work, and one of their most effective weapons is the exploit kit.

But what are exploit kits? How do they work? And what can you do to protect your company?

Learning what these are and what they do will help you and your employees stay safer on the web and protect your company from a serious cyber attack.

Read: The Best Practices Against Cyber Attacks

What Are Exploit Kits?

Exploit kits are malicious toolkits used by cyber criminals to identify and exploit security vulnerabilities in software, operating systems or applications. In essence, exploit kits act as a cyber criminal’s one-stop shop for launching automated attacks.

Typically delivered through compromised websites or malicious ads (a tactic known as malvertising), these kits automatically scan a visitor’s system for weaknesses and deploy ransomware or malware if a flaw is found. They make it easier for attackers with limited technical skills to spread malicious content at scale.

How Exploit Kits Work

The process of an exploit kit attack is a seamless, multi-stage operation:

• Initial contact: A user visits a compromised website, clicks on a malicious ad or opens a malicious link sent via a phishing email.
• Redirection: The exploit kit redirects the victim to a landing page controlled by the attacker.
• Vulnerability scanning: The kit then scans the victim’s browser and system, searching for outdated or unpatched vulnerabilities.
• Exploitation: If a weakness is detected, the exploit kit selects and deploys the appropriate exploit to take advantage of the security flaw.
• Compromise: The victim’s device is infected, data may be stolen or files are encrypted for ransomware.

The Evolution of Exploit Kits

Exploit kits have evolved from basic tools to highly sophisticated products sold on the cyber crime black market. Even though their prevalence has declined somewhat with improved browser security, they continue to pose a significant threat, particularly for organizations that delay software updates or lack proactive IT management.

Early kits like MPack appeared in 2006, but it was the infamous Blackhole Exploit Kit in 2010 that popularized the threat, offering a user-friendly interface and regular updates. New exploit kits have appeared over time. For example, the RIG Exploit Kit has adapted its techniques to evade detection, making it a major threat.

How Your Business Can Protect Itself

The good news is that the most effective defenses against exploit kits are also the simplest. By addressing the vulnerabilities that these kits target, you can significantly reduce your risk of infection:

• Regularly patch and update: This is the most important step. Ensure all systems, applications and browsers are up to date with the latest versions. Automated patching can ensure you’re always protected.
• Use layered security: Firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS and IPS) and endpoint protection can further reduce risk.
• Be cautious with links and ads: Avoid clicking on suspicious pop-up ads or links in solicited emails. Use ad-blocking technology to further limit malvertising vectors.
• Minimize your attack surface: If you aren’t using a particular application or browser plugin, uninstall it. Fewer applications mean fewer potential vulnerabilities for an exploit kit to target.
• Employee training: Teach staff to avoid suspicious links and report unusual behavior.

Partner with Thriveon Today

Proactive monitoring and patch management ensure threats are addressed before they can be exploited. At Thriveon, we help organizations reduce risks, improve their cybersecurity posture and safeguard productivity. Our Fractional CIO can help you stay ahead of vulnerabilities and employ a layered defense.

Schedule a meeting now for more information.