Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are not like typical cyberattacks that attempt to cause immediate damage. Instead, APTs involve highly coordinated and long-term efforts where malicious actors infiltrate a system and remain there for extended periods.
The primary aim of APTs is data collection, often for financial gain or geopolitical purposes. Threat actors might be motivated by a variety of objectives, such as intellectual property theft, espionage, or financial extortion.
Meet Volt Typhoon, the APT group that’s eluding detection for years
Volt Typhoon, also known as Insidious Taurus or Bronze Silhouette, is a China-based advanced persistent threat (APT) group. This group has been operating under the radar, conducting sophisticated cyber espionage operations. They are skilled at penetrating IT networks using advanced techniques, particularly targeting organizations with critical infrastructure or high-value information.
Volt Typhoon’s operations span multiple years, meaning they can quietly gather intelligence and sensitive data without being detected.
Volt Typhoon often gains initial access through vulnerabilities in public-facing edge devices like routers and firewalls. Said entry points are frequently overlooked by organizations that don’t fully monitor their security perimeters, making them easy targets. Once inside, Volt Typhoon harvests credentials from compromised systems to move laterally across the network, escalating privileges to gain deeper access to sensitive information.
In order to stay invisible, Volt Typhoon uses a tactic called LOLBins (living off the land binaries), which helps them to use local binaries and scripts already present within the operating system.
Binaries are legitimate processes, so they rarely trigger alarms in security systems. As a result of using tools native to the environment they infiltrate, Volt Typhoon can operate undetected for extended periods. In some cases, they have remained hidden for years, collecting data and laying the groundwork for future operations.
Volt Typhoon’s typical targets include:
- Large tech organizations: Due to the intellectual property and innovation these companies handle.
- Financial institutions: Banks and investment firms are lucrative targets because of the vast amounts of sensitive financial data they store.
- Government agencies: These entities often hold classified or sensitive information that can be used for espionage or to compromise national security.
In these sectors, the value of the data makes them prime targets, with attackers frequently adapting their techniques to maintain access without being detected.
Proven strategies to safeguard your organization from APTs
The foundation of APT defense starts with a well-trained workforce. IT professionals need to stay up to date with security certifications to remain proficient in the latest defense strategies.
At the same time, non-technical staff must understand the basics of cybersecurity, especially in preventing entry points like phishing and social engineering attacks. Given that phishing is a common entry method for APTs, even non-technical employees play a key role in protecting an organization.
It’s key for security professionals to engage in hands-on training through labs and simulations. Experience helps them confront simulated APT attacks in controlled environments, honing their ability to identify and mitigate threats under real-world conditions.
Simulated environments let them respond to attacks without the pressure of real-time consequences, building the muscle memory and knowledge required when an actual APT attack occurs.
Learn to identify the subtle signs of APTs
The most dangerous aspect of APTs is their ability to operate unnoticed for extended periods. Attacks are designed to remain undetected, allowing threat actors to extract sensitive data incrementally over time. Their covert nature makes them particularly damaging, as breaches may not be identified until significant data loss has occurred or systems are compromised.
On average, APTs can remain undetected within a system for 180 days (6 months). This dwell time lets attackers observe internal processes, exfiltrate data, and establish backdoors for future access, all without raising alarms. Extended presences in networks are a hallmark of APTs, making it invaluable to recognize the subtle signs of their existence.
4 key signs you might be under attack by an APT
- Unexpected large data transfers: Unexplained or unauthorized large file movements are often an indication that sensitive data is being siphoned out.
- Unexplained changes in permissions: Attackers may increase their access by modifying user permissions, which should raise red flags.
- Increased spear phishing or Trojan horse activity: Targeted attacks, especially against specific users, often precede a larger breach.
- Command line activity at odd hours: Admin tools or command-line interfaces being used during unusual times can indicate an APT is moving through the network.
Monitoring command line activity could save your data
Once APTs like Volt Typhoon have access to your network, they often rely on the command line to gather or move data. Command lines provide attackers with a direct and efficient method to run scripts, change configurations, and access sensitive systems.
To counteract this, organizations should log and monitor all command line activities. Filters and alerts can be set to flag unusual or unauthorized use of admin tools and scripts, helping to catch malicious activity early.
Application whitelisting is another highly effective way to prevent malicious activity by only allowing pre-approved applications and scripts to run within your system. This method blocks any unauthorized or harmful software from executing, reducing the risk of infection by unknown threats. With a whitelist, organizations can keep tighter control over what is allowed to operate within their network, significantly lowering the risk of APT infiltration.
Staying ahead of cyber threats is easier than you think
APTs are constantly evolving, exploiting the latest vulnerabilities in software and systems. By staying up to date with the current threats, organizations can anticipate potential attack vectors and update their defenses accordingly.
Using tools like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) can help organizations stay ahead of the curve. Regularly checking the NVD for known vulnerabilities in your systems makes sure that weaknesses are patched promptly, reducing the chances of an APT exploiting those vulnerabilities.
Best practices that make APTs think twice
Regular vulnerability assessments and fast patching are key steps to protect your systems from APTs. Threat actors often exploit known vulnerabilities, so keeping your systems updated with the latest patches significantly lowers your risk.
Access control is another key area in preventing APTs. Using role-based access control and implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) makes sure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive areas of your system, minimizing the attack surface.
Since APTs often use spear phishing as an initial point of entry, deploying anti-phishing tools to detect and block suspicious emails can help protect your organization from these targeted attacks.
A no-trust approach keeps APTs at bay
Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no one inside or outside your network can be trusted by default. Every user, device, or system must continuously validate their identity and permissions. Continuous validation helps prevent APTs from moving laterally through your network, as access to critical systems is constantly checked.
Strengthening your organization’s security posture is a never-ending process. It requires constant vigilance and ongoing education about new threats, attack vectors, and defense mechanisms.
Staying informed about the latest cybersecurity developments and regularly revisiting your defense strategies will keep your organization prepared for APT threats.
