Your Trusted IT Tools: An Unexpected Security Risk

Security experts are warning: the biggest threat for many companies doesn't come from classic computer viruses, but from the programs you and your IT department use daily. Well-known and trusted computer utilities, such as PowerShell, WMIC, netsh, Certutil, and MSBuild, are increasingly being used by cybercriminals to infiltrate and cause damage unnoticed. These tools, intended for legitimate system administration tasks, are being misused as a 'key' to your network.

What does this mean for your SMB?

As an SMB, you likely don't have extensive security teams like large organizations. This may make you a more attractive target. Because these attackers don't use easily recognizable malware, detection is more difficult. The attack happens 'from within,' using tools already considered 'good.' This means standard security measures, such as blocking viruses, may not be sufficient. It is crucial that you become aware of this risk and adapt your IT security strategy accordingly.

Preventive measures and awareness are essential. Regular checks on the usage of your IT tools and restricting user permissions to only what is strictly necessary can significantly reduce the risk. Also consider implementing more advanced security software that can detect anomalous usage of these standard tools. Assist2go is happy to help you keep your systems secure by identifying these risks and offering appropriate solutions.