Recognizing Signs of Compromise in Your IT Infrastructure

When securing your IT infrastructure and network, the signs of compromise are all around you. So, how can you determine if your system has been compromised? Here are some indicators of a breach:

1. Anomalous Login Failures

Multiple failed login attempts from users may signal a compromise. A sudden increase or decrease in failed attempts can indicate that an attacker has gained access or is attempting to do so.

Monitor login locations for unusual activity. High failed login rates from unfamiliar locations could suggest someone is brute-force guessing passwords. Also, watch for suspicious login times, such as spikes during off-hours. If you notice logins during late night or early morning hours, your systems might be misconfigured, allowing unverified access, or someone could be trying to exploit your network.

2. Suspicious Privileged Account Activity

Privileged accounts have elevated access to sensitive data and functions. They are often targeted for malicious activities. If you observe unexpected actions or unusual activity from these accounts, it could mean someone has compromised them and is using them to launch attacks within your network.

3. Suspicious DNS Requests

Malware campaigns often use DNS requests to communicate with command-and-control servers or gather information about victim systems. If you detect unusual DNS traffic, it may indicate malware or compromised devices within your network.

4. Anomalous Registry Changes

Malware can infect systems by altering registry entries. If you notice unauthorized registry modifications, run a virus scan and review logs. Checking firewall logs for suspicious activity can also help uncover malicious actions.

5. Signs of a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack

DDoS attacks aim to overwhelm your servers, causing service disruptions. Sudden surges in network traffic or website downtime may suggest that a DDoS attack targets your organization. Acting quickly is essential to mitigate its impact.

6. Suspicious File and Folder Activity

Unauthorized access or modifications to files and folders outside normal work hours may indicate a breach. Additionally, files accessed by unrecognized devices or users could point to malicious activity.

7. Unusual Port Usage

Attackers use port scanning to identify open vulnerabilities. Detecting unusual port activity, such as unexpected open ports or scans, could mean that someone is probing your systems. This reconnaissance helps attackers plan further exploits.

8. HTML Response Sizes & Database Activity Spikes

Unexpected increases in database activity or response sizes can suggest malicious actions like injecting malicious code or data theft. Large response sizes and CPU spikes should raise your suspicion.

9. Geographical Irregularities

Access from unexpected locations or abnormal latency patterns can indicate a security breach. Monitoring port or IP address access for anomalies helps detect unauthorized activity.

10. Suspicious Outbound Traffic

A sudden rise in outbound traffic might be normal, but if it exceeds typical levels, investigate its source. You might need to block IP addresses or IP ranges to prevent data exfiltration, especially during a DDoS attack.

Conclusion

By regularly monitoring your systems and logs, you can more easily spot signs of compromise. When in doubt, seek assistance from cybersecurity experts or trusted third parties.