by The Computing Australia Group | In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cyber threats are an ever-present danger. Many organisations fail to detect breaches until significant damage has been done. Recognising the early signs of a compromise can help mitigate the impact and protect your company’s assets. Here are the hidden signals that might indicate your business has been infiltrated by malicious actors.
1. Unusual Account Activity
One of the earliest signs of a potential breach is unexpected activity involving user accounts. Examples include:
- Login Attempts from Unusual Locations: Monitoring tools might flag logins from foreign or unexpected regions.
- Access Outside Normal Hours: Employees accessing sensitive systems late at night or during non-working hours could indicate compromised credentials.
- Failed Login Attempts: Repeated failed login attempts could point to brute force attacks.
- New Privileged Accounts: The sudden appearance of admin-level accounts without proper authorisation warrants immediate investigation.
2. Unexpected Changes in System Behaviour
Cybercriminals often alter systems to suit their needs. Watch out for:
- Slow Network Performance: A sudden drop in speed could indicate unauthorised data exfiltration.
- Strange Pop-Ups or Error Messages: Unexpected pop-ups or application crashes could signal malware.
- Unusual File Modifications: Critical files may be renamed, moved, or deleted without approval.
- Increased System Reboots: Frequent and unexplained restarts might indicate tampering or ongoing exploitation.
3. Abnormal Data Traffic Patterns
Data traffic often holds clues to an ongoing breach:
- Spikes in Outbound Traffic: Large volumes of outbound data, especially to unrecognised IP addresses, can indicate data theft.
- Unusual Protocol Usage: Attackers may use non-standard protocols to exfiltrate data undetected.
- Connections to Blacklisted IPs: Traffic directed to known malicious domains is a red flag.
4. Unauthorised Access or Escalation
Indicators of unauthorised activity include:
- Access to Sensitive Data: If users are accessing data they don’t typically handle, it could indicate a breach.
- Privilege Escalation: Attackers often escalate privileges to gain broader access. Sudden administrative access by unauthorised accounts is a serious concern.
5. Suspicious Emails or Communications
Attackers often use compromised accounts to spread phishing campaigns internally:
- Unusual Outbound Emails: A spike in emails sent from an employee’s account may indicate compromise.
- Altered Email Rules: Forwarding rules to external addresses or automatic deletions can help attackers stay hidden.
- Impersonation Attempts: Internal communications with subtle changes in sender details (e.g., slight misspellings) can trick employees.
6. Security Tools Disabled or Altered
Cybercriminals frequently disable security measures to avoid detection:
- Deactivated Antivirus or Firewalls: If these tools are suddenly offline, investigate immediately.
- Altered Logs: Missing or modified logs could signify an attacker attempting to cover their tracks.
7. Financial Irregularities
Unexplained financial activity can also point to a compromise:
- Unusual Transactions: Look for unauthorised bank transfers or purchases.
- Changes in Vendor Information: Attackers may modify payment details to redirect funds.
8. Employees Reporting Strange Activity
Often, employees are the first to notice something amiss. Take their concerns seriously, especially if they report:
- Inability to Access Systems: Account lockouts may indicate someone else is using their credentials.
- Unexpected Password Changes: Attackers might reset passwords to maintain control.
9. Alerts from External Sources
Sometimes, third parties may notify you of a breach:
- Customers or Partners: Reports of phishing emails sent from your domain can indicate compromise.
- Law Enforcement or Security Firms: Notifications about your data appearing on the dark web are critical warning signs.
Taking Action
If you observe any of these signs, act swiftly:
- Isolate Affected Systems: Disconnect compromised systems from the network to prevent further damage.
- Engage Your Incident Response Team: Follow your organisation’s incident response plan.
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation: Identify the scope and entry point of the breach.
- Notify Stakeholders: Inform relevant parties, including regulatory bodies if required by law.
- Enhance Defences: Patch vulnerabilities, update systems, and strengthen monitoring.
- Engage with an Expert : Reach out to Computing Australia – we can guide you through this step by step.
Recognising these telltale signs can make the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic data breach. By staying vigilant and proactive, your organisation can safeguard its digital assets and maintain the trust of your stakeholders.
