There’s been lots of discussion lately on targeted attacks which are, as the name implies, cyberattacks directed at specific individuals, organizations, corporations, or sectors. These targeted attacks, particularly on critical infrastructure, are the focus of our Symantec Intelligence Quarterly Report: October – December 2010.
Attackers are getting smart and researching their target so that the attacks appear legitimate. The customization of targeted attacks can make them more dangerous than non-targeted attacks because they are tailored explicitly to affect a target group. Motivations for such customized attacks can range from stealing confidential information for profit, to interfering with day-to-day operations, to mischief. The most prominent recent targeted attacks are Hydraq, Stuxnet, and Night Dragon.
Targeted Attacks
It has been just one year since Hydraq, a.k.a Aurora, was first discovered and used as part of a targeted...