12 Ways Hackers Exploited Systems in 2024—and How to Stay Ahead

12 Ways Hackers Exploited Systems in 2024—and Why It’s Time for a Cybersecurity Evolution

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, businesses find themselves playing an endless game of whack-a-mole, reacting to breaches rather than proactively preventing them. A recent article by CSO Online, Top 12 Ways Hackers Broke into Your Systems in 2024, highlights the methods cybercriminals leveraged last year to infiltrate systems. The findings make one thing clear: traditional “Detect and Respond” strategies are no longer sufficient. Businesses must adopt a preventative approach built on "Isolation and Containment."

Let’s explore some of the key tactics hackers employed in 2024 and how businesses can protect themselves with advanced solutions like AppGuard.

The 12 Methods Hackers Used

According to CSO Online, the most common tactics hackers used to breach systems included:

1. Phishing Emails: Still a top entry point, cybercriminals used sophisticated phishing schemes to target employees, bypassing outdated email filters.
2. Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: Hackers continued to exploit unpatched software flaws, especially in widely used applications.
3. Compromised Credentials: Weak passwords and poor password management practices remained a major vulnerability.
4. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): The availability of RaaS tools allowed even novice hackers to deploy ransomware attacks with ease.
5. Misconfigured Cloud Settings: Poorly secured cloud environments exposed sensitive business data.
6. Supply Chain Attacks: By targeting third-party vendors, hackers gained access to broader networks.
7. Social Engineering: Psychological manipulation tactics proved effective in bypassing traditional security measures.
8. Exploiting Remote Work Infrastructure: Remote desktop protocol (RDP) and VPN vulnerabilities were key targets.
9. AI-Generated Malware: Advanced AI tools created undetectable malware, rendering traditional defenses useless.
10. Insider Threats: Malicious insiders or negligent employees facilitated data breaches.
11. IoT Device Exploits: Insecure Internet of Things (IoT) devices provided entry points into corporate networks.
12. Evasion of Endpoint Detection Tools: Hackers used tools like EDRSilencer to bypass endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.

The Need for “Isolation and Containment”

The methods listed above underscore a critical flaw in the current cybersecurity paradigm: reliance on detection and response. Even the most sophisticated detection systems can be bypassed by zero-day exploits or AI-generated malware. Once a breach occurs, businesses are left scrambling to contain the damage, often at great cost.

This is where the concept of "Isolation and Containment" changes the game. Rather than trying to detect and mitigate threats after they’ve breached your defenses, isolation and containment prevent them from executing in the first place.

How AppGuard Protects Against Modern Threats

AppGuard, a proven endpoint protection solution with over a decade of success, takes a revolutionary approach to cybersecurity. Instead of relying on threat signatures or patterns to identify risks, AppGuard blocks malicious activities by default, even from trusted applications.

• Prevents Zero-Day Exploits: By isolating applications from critical system functions, AppGuard ensures that unknown vulnerabilities cannot be exploited.
• Stops Ransomware Before It Executes: AppGuard’s containment capabilities prevent ransomware from encrypting files or spreading across networks.
• Blocks Insider Threats and Social Engineering: Malicious or accidental actions by insiders are neutralized before they can cause harm.
• Secures IoT and Remote Work Devices: AppGuard extends its protective reach to cover the vulnerabilities in IoT and remote work infrastructures.

A Call to Action for Business Owners

The methods hackers used in 2024 are a wake-up call for businesses of all sizes. It’s time to move beyond “Detect and Respond” strategies that react to breaches and adopt “Isolation and Containment” to proactively prevent them.

CHIPS is here to help you make this critical shift. With AppGuard, your organization can stay ahead of evolving threats and protect its most valuable assets. Contact us today to learn how AppGuard can safeguard your business and prevent costly incidents like those outlined in the CSO Online article.

Don’t wait for a breach—take action now to secure your future.

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