What is an APT? An APT is a type of cyber attack in which an attacker gains access to a network and then remains there undetected for a period of time in order to steal sensitive data or carry out other malicious activities. The term “APT” stands for “Advanced Persistent Threat.” APT attacks are usually carried out by well-funded and well-organized groups, such as nation-states, criminal organizations, or terrorist groups. These groups have the resources and the motivation to carry out sophisticated attacks that can evade detection for extended periods of time. APT attacks are often targeted, meaning that the attackers have specific goals in mind and are carefully selecting their targets. This is in contrast to “spray-and-pray” attacks, in which the attacker simply tries to break into as many systems as possible in the hopes of finding one that is vulnerable. Why are APT attacks so difficult to defend against? APT attacks are difficult to defend against for a number of reasons: They are usually targeted, meaning that the attackers have specific goals in mind and are carefully selecting their targets. This allows the attackers to focus their efforts on breaking into the systems that are most important to them. They are often carried out by well-funded and well-organized groups, such as nation-states, criminal organizations, or terrorist groups. These groups have the resources and the motivation to carry out sophisticated attacks that can evade detection for extended periods of time. They often use “zero-day” exploits, which are attacks that take advantage of previously unknown vulnerabilities in software. Zero-day exploits are very difficult to defend against because there is no way to anticipate or protect against them. How can you defend against APT attacks? There is no single silver bullet that will protect you from all APT attacks, but there are a number of steps you can take to improve your defenses: Keep your software up to date: One of the best ways to defend against zero-day exploits is to keep your software up to date. Attackers often target systems that are running outdated software because they know that these systems are more likely to be vulnerable. Use multiple layers of security: Don’t rely on a single security measure to protect your systems. Use multiple layers of security, such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and anti-virus software. Monitor your systems closely: Pay close attention to your systems and monitor them for unusual activity. This will help you to detect an attack in progress and take steps to stop it. Darksteel Technologies is a cybersecurity company based in Orlando, Florida. We specialize in helping businesses to defend against cyber attacks. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you to protect your business from APT attacks.