Sep 5, 2023
With so many different types of businesses existing online, cyber threats continue to evolve at an alarming pace. Both individuals and businesses are getting targeted. One tactic that is quickly gaining steam is the pharming attack. No, this doesn’t mean that your farm is getting attacked, and it also doesn’t mean you’re getting chased out of town by farmers.
The team at Blade Technologies, Inc. is here to teach you all about these digital attacks and their intricacies. We also want to explore ways you can protect your business from this emerging threat.
What is a Pharming Attack?
In the simplest terms, a pharming attack is a type of cyber attack that tries to redirect users from a legitimate website to malicious or suspicious fake websites. And it is all done without the user’s knowledge or consent.
In a pharming attack, attackers manipulate the Domain Name System (DNS) settings, either on a user's computer or on a compromised network device (such as a router). This manipulation can be achieved through two main methods: malware-based pharming and DNS server poisoning.
Malware Pharming Attack
In this type of pharming attack, users typically download malware. The malware finds its way onto your computer via a Trojan. From there, your local host file is changed so that the domain name of a website redirects to fraudulent websites.
By modifying this file, attackers can force a user's device to connect to malicious servers instead of legitimate ones. From there malware can get automatically downloaded onto your computers without you even realizing it.
DNS Poisoning
This is also known as DNS spoofing. Attackers inject false DNS information into the cache of DNS servers, causing legitimate domain name queries to return incorrect IP addresses. As a result, users are redirected to malicious websites even when they type in the correct web addresses.
Because DNS poisoning attacks full servers, it has the potential to harm thousands of users. The targets are DNS servers and unprotected routers, especially public Wi-Fi networks.
What is the Harm of Pharming Attacks?
We promise that your crops will be fine, but there are plenty of other consequences of pharming attacks. Pharming attacks can have severe consequences for both individuals and organizations.
First off, victims may unknowingly provide login credentials. This happens when a login page is redirected to a fake site that also has a login page. As soon as you type in your info, your password will be compromised.
Financial data and personal info might also be at risk and taken by cybercriminals. This stolen information and data can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, and other activities. On top of all that, businesses can suffer reputational damage and loss of customer trust if their websites are involved in attacks. That’s why it’s important that your company is protected.
How to Defend Against Cyber Attacks
Stay Up to Date: Make sure that you and your employees know all about the latest cyber threats. Awareness is the first line of defense. We frequently talk about these types of threats on our website.
Use a Secure DNS: Choose a secure DNS provider that monitors for suspicious activities. This can stop Pharming attack attempts before they cause any damage.
Keep Software Updated: Make sure your operating system, antivirus software, and web browsers are always updated and have the latest security functionality.
Use Two-Factor Authentication: When possible, try using two-factor authentication. Even if attackers manipulate your DNS, they won't be able to get into your accounts without the second authentication factor.
Blade Technologies, Inc. Can Help
Pharming attacks can be a big threat to cybersecurity and sensitive data. As we’ve stated, these attacks are becoming more and more common, and it proves the need for businesses to adopt proactive measures to mitigate risks. By partnering with Blade Technologies, Inc., we can provide the very best cybersecurity and network management services for your organization.
Learn More About Pharming Attacks from Blade Technologies, Inc.
If you want more information about pharming attacks, contact the Blade team today so that you can better defend yourself.
Contact Us