Pi Day: How Hackers Slice Through Security Solutions

Today is not just any day, it’s Pi Day. With that in mind, we figured we’d take a different approach to understanding cybersecurity. Imagine a world where digital security defenses are akin to a freshly baked pie, inviting yet vulnerable to those who know how to deftly slice through it. This article pays homage to the endless complexity of Pi by exploring how attackers can cut through various security layers. 

So, let’s delve into the cybersecurity pie and see what slices we can uncover!

Using Sharp Knives (aka Stolen Credentials)

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a standard security control that makes it harder for attackers to use stolen credentials. Yet, for those using MFA via SMS, attackers can slice through this tough crust of defense like warm dough using SIM swapping as their knife. In this devious ploy, they hijack a victim’s phone number by convincing the mobile carrier to switch the number to a SIM card in their possession. The attacker may impersonate the victim through social engineering, using obtained personal details to seem credible. Once successful, the attacker receives all messages and calls intended for the victim, including those precious MFA codes sent via SMS.

Mysterious Ingredients (aka Hidden Threats)

Imagine a traditional antivirus as a diligent baker trained to recognize and remove a specific type of spoiled ingredient – malware. These antivirus programs rely primarily on signature-based detection, like a recipe that tells them exactly what to look for. However, hackers have baked up a cunning concoction known as polymorphic malware. By changing the malware code or signature, it hides in as just another ingredient, not matching any of the indicators of the known bad ingredient, making it nearly impossible for the antivirus to detect and remove. 

Flaws In the Recipe (aka Security Gaps)

Zero-day vulnerabilities in cybersecurity are akin to unbaked slices in a pie and hidden flaws within the software dough that have not yet been discovered or addressed by the software vendor. These vulnerabilities represent gaps in the crust of security, unknown weak spots that hackers can exploit. Before the vendor identifies and “bakes” a patch to solidify the defense, attackers easily find and leverage these vulnerabilities, slicing through the software’s defenses. It’s as if they sneak a taste of the pie before it’s fully cooked, capitalizing on the opportunity to breach security in its most vulnerable state.

Deceptively Sweet Aromas (aka Phishing)

Phishing attacks are comparable to the enticing aroma of a freshly baked pie, luring unsuspecting individuals closer. In this deceptive practice, hackers cleverly disguise themselves as legitimate and trustworthy entities, often through emails or other forms of communication. This disguise resembles a delicious pie’s crust, masking the perilous filling within. Unsuspecting users, drawn in by the familiar and safe appearance, may unknowingly divulge sensitive information like login credentials. It’s a sly tactic where the allure of trust, much like the sweet scent of a pie, leads to the unsuspecting divulging of the very ingredients that keep their digital accounts secure.

A Bite On the Go (aka MitM)

In the digital realm, Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks are akin to a stealthy person handing slices at an office party but sneaking a bite en route. During these attacks, hackers cunningly insert themselves into the communication line between a user and an application. Much like our sneaky coworker, they subtly get at the filling, intercepting it mid-handoff but leaving it looking intact. The user and the application remain oblivious to this intrusion, unaware that an uninvited guest secretly sampled and manipulated their information exchange, the pie’s filling.

Hiding In the Kitchen (aka Rootkits)

Envision rootkits in cybersecurity as a cunning intruder masquerading as a baker in a pie factory. This deceptive tool allows hackers to seamlessly integrate into a system’s operations like a rogue baker blending into a kitchen. With this level of access, akin to being on the pie production line, attackers can not only steal pies (data) as they are made but also dare to alter the fillings (system processes and data) to their liking. They operate unnoticed, tweaking recipes and swiping pies under the guise of a legitimate baker, all while the true chefs remain unaware of the culinary espionage occurring right under their noses.

Flooding the Shop (aka DoS)

Imagine a scenario in the cybersecurity pie shop where hackers distribute many fake “free pie” coupons. These deceptive offers draw in a flood of customers, all clamoring for their slice of the promised treat. This influx is akin to a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack, where a system is bombarded with what appears to be legitimate traffic. However, just as the crowd in the pie shop dissipates upon realizing the pie isn’t free, the system traffic is revealed to be a ruse, leaving no actual engagement. Meanwhile, genuine customers, or legitimate users, are unable to enter the shop, thwarted by the overwhelming and deceptive crowd.

Promises of Pie (aka Social Engineering)

Consider social engineering akin to a crafty ploy where hackers offer a tantalizing free slice of pie in exchange for information. They lure individuals to a supposedly legitimate pie shop tucked away in an abandoned warehouse with the promise of a delicious treat. This deceptive strategy mirrors how hackers fabricate scenarios to seem genuine, yet, just like the promised pie, it’s a lie. While those scrutinizing the offer can spot the deception, others, enticed by the prospect of pie, willingly divulge their personal details. They find themselves in a dubious setting, pressured to answer probing questions for a slice of pie that may never come or, if it does, is far from fresh. 

Votiro Protects Your Pie from Unwanted Guests

Imagine your organization’s sensitive data as a perfectly baked pie, tempting those wishing to steal or spoil a slice. Here’s where Votiro comes in. Votiro’s Data Detection and Response (DDR) safeguards your ingredients (data), especially when sharing and collaborating. It’s like a secret recipe that keeps your pie safe from prying eyes and ensures only the intended guests enjoy its flavors.

Votiro builds on this protection by combining traditional Antivirus (AV) and innovative Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) technologies. This dual approach is akin to having a sturdy pie cover to keep out unwanted pests and a meticulous inspection process to ensure that every added ingredient is threat-free. Votiro works silently yet effectively in the background, detecting hidden threats that could spoil your pie, ensuring that what you bake – your data – remains delicious and safe. 

Learn more today with a 1-on-1 platform demo or by starting a free 30-day trial.