Watering Hole Attacks

What are Watering Hole Attacks?

Watering Hole Attacks are a type of cyberattack where the attacker compromises a website frequently visited by the target group (e.g., employees of a specific organization). When the target visits the compromised website, malware is delivered to their system, allowing the attacker to gain access to the target's network.

How Watering Hole Attacks Work

Watering Hole Attacks typically involve the following steps:

• Target Identification: The attacker identifies the target group and the websites they frequently visit.
• Website Compromise: The attacker compromises the identified website, often by injecting malicious code.
• Malware Delivery: When the target visits the compromised website, malware is delivered to their system.
• Exploitation: The attacker gains access to the target's network and performs malicious activities.

Interactive Watering Hole Attack Example

Below is a simulation of a Watering Hole Attack. Click the button to see how an attacker compromises a target through a compromised website.

Watering Hole Attacks Tools and Resources

Here are some tools and resources to help you understand and defend against Watering Hole Attacks:

How to Defend Against Watering Hole Attacks

To protect your organization from Watering Hole Attacks, follow these best practices:

• Monitor Website Traffic: Regularly monitor the websites your employees visit for signs of compromise.
• Use Web Application Firewalls: Deploy WAFs to protect your websites from being compromised.
• Educate Employees: Train employees to recognize and avoid suspicious websites.
• Implement Content Security Policies: Use CSPs to prevent the injection of malicious scripts.