What are Backdoor Attacks

What are Backdoor Attacks RWPRmND

In addition to trojans and rootkits, another method of gaining access to a computer is via a backdoor. Backdoors are a way to enter a system that bypasses its normal authentication process.  As a result, remote access is granted to resources within an application, such as databases and file servers, giving perpetrators the ability to remotely issue system commands and update malware.

A developer may create a backdoor so that an application or operating system can be accessed for troubleshooting or other purposes. However, attackers often use backdoors that they detect or install themselves as part of an exploit. In some cases, a worm or virus is designed to take advantage of a backdoor created by an earlier attack. Over time, this practice has been considered more and more dangerous, and fewer developers build in a backdoor as an official part of their products. Unfortunately, some continue to build them in without the knowledge of their employers.

In addition to backdoors created by developers, many types of malware also install backdoors as part of their compromise process. Rootkits and trojans both often include a backdoor for remote access.

    Note
Hardware backdoors have begun to gain more attention as national governments begin to explore cyber warfare.


There are two primary types of backdoor:

  • Those that are part of a software package or service and provide a way for the programmer or company that created the device or software to gain access
  • Those that malware creates for remote access by attackers

Both types could be used by attackers to gain unauthorized access to system.

Backdoors can be very difficult to detect, and detection methods vary considerably depending on the computer's operating system. In some cases, antimalware software may be capable of detecting backdoor software. In other cases, security professionals may need to use specialized tools to detect backdoors, or use a protocol monitoring tool to inspect network packets.

There are a few unique procedures for maintaining a strategic distance from backdoor attacks. Above all else, organizations need to cling to security best practices, for example, maintaining a strategic distance from untrusted software and guaranteeing that each gadget is protected by a firewall. Application firewalls can likewise avert  backdoor attacks, since they restrict the traffic that can flow across open ports. It is also important to monitor network traffic for signatures that may indicate the presence of a backdoor.

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