Explain the terms

Virus ii) Phishing i Spoofing iv) Phone phishing v) Internet pharming vi) Cyber Forensic

Key Cybersecurity Terms: Definitions and Explanations

1. Virus

Definition:

A virus is a type of malicious software (malware) that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected."

Characteristics:

Replication: Viruses are designed to replicate themselves from one host to another.
Activation: They can be triggered by specific conditions or actions taken by the user.
Payload: Viruses often carry a payload that can cause harm, such as deleting files, stealing data, or corrupting system functions.

Examples:

File Infectors: Attach themselves to executable files.
Macro Viruses: Infect documents created using certain applications like Microsoft Word.
Boot Sector Viruses: Infect the master boot record and load when the system boots up.

2. Phishing

Definition:

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where attackers attempt to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications.

Characteristics:

Deceptive Emails: Often involves emails that appear to come from legitimate sources.
Links to Fake Websites: Directs victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information.
Urgency and Fear: Creates a sense of urgency or fear to prompt immediate action from the victim.

Examples:

Email Phishing: Sending emails that appear to be from banks, online services, or other trusted entities.
Spear Phishing: Targeted phishing attacks aimed at specific individuals or organizations.

3. Spoofing

Definition:

Spoofing involves impersonating another device or user on a network to deceive, steal data, or bypass access controls. It is a technique often used in various cyberattacks, including phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Types of Spoofing:

Email Spoofing: Forging the sender address in an email to appear as though it is from a trusted source.
IP Spoofing: Altering the IP address of a packet to make it look like it comes from a trusted source.
Caller ID Spoofing: Manipulating the caller ID information to disguise the caller’s identity.

Examples:

Email Spoofing: Sending emails from fake addresses that look like they are from legitimate companies.
IP Spoofing: Masking the source IP address to launch a DDoS attack or gain unauthorized access.

4. Phone Phishing (Vishing)

Definition:

Phone phishing, or vishing (voice phishing), is a type of phishing attack conducted over the phone. Attackers attempt to trick victims into divulging personal information, such as bank details or social security numbers, by pretending to be legitimate representatives.

Characteristics:

Impersonation: Attackers often pose as bank representatives, government officials, or tech support agents.
Urgent Requests: Create a sense of urgency, claiming there is a problem that requires immediate action.
Personal Information Requests: Ask for sensitive information like account numbers, PINs, or passwords.

Examples:

Bank Scams: Fraudsters call claiming there is an issue with the victim’s bank account.
Tech Support Scams: Attackers pose as tech support and ask for remote access to the victim’s computer.

5. Internet Pharming

Definition:

Internet pharming is a cyberattack intended to redirect a website's traffic to a fraudulent website without the user’s knowledge, often by exploiting vulnerabilities in DNS servers or manipulating host files.

Characteristics:

DNS Poisoning: Manipulating DNS server information to redirect traffic from legitimate sites to malicious ones.
Host File Manipulation: Altering the host files on a user's computer to redirect traffic to fraudulent sites.
Deception: Victims are redirected to seemingly legitimate sites where their sensitive information can be stolen.

Examples:

Fake Banking Sites: Redirecting users trying to access their bank’s website to a fake site that captures login credentials.
Pharming for Credentials: Redirecting users to malicious sites to steal login information for online services.

6. Cyber Forensic

Definition:

Cyber forensics, also known as digital forensics, is the process of collecting, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence in a manner that is legally admissible. It is used to investigate cybercrimes and incidents involving digital devices.

Stages:

Identification: Identifying potential sources of digital evidence.
Preservation: Ensuring that evidence is preserved in its original form.
Collection: Gathering digital evidence from various sources.
Examination: Examining the evidence to extract relevant information.
Analysis: Analyzing the extracted information to reconstruct events.
Presentation: Presenting findings in a clear and legally acceptable manner.

Applications:

Criminal Investigations: Investigating crimes such as hacking, fraud, and identity theft.
Incident Response: Analyzing security breaches to understand how they occurred and prevent future incidents.
Litigation Support: Providing digital evidence in support of legal cases.

Summary

Virus: Malicious software that replicates and spreads to other programs or systems.
Phishing: Deceptive attempts to obtain sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity.
Spoofing: Impersonating another device or user to deceive or bypass access controls.
Phone Phishing (Vishing): Phishing conducted over the phone to deceive victims into providing sensitive information.
Internet Pharming: Redirecting website traffic to fraudulent sites without the user’s knowledge.
Cyber Forensics: The process of collecting, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence for legal purposes.

Understanding these terms and their implications helps in recognizing and defending against various cyber threats. Implementing effective countermeasures and staying informed about these threats are crucial for maintaining cybersecurity.