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Smart homes are full of risks from cyber attacks. Finding out which devices are vulnerable begins with banner analysis. All networks have IP addresses and port ranges available. These are separate layers which are normally used for authorized access. They are also easy to predict and anticipate, so rest assured that hackers will be aware of them.
Also known as banner grabbing, it is a technique for gaining information about a computer system on a network and the services running on any open ports. It is important to take inventory of such systems and program services running through the ports of each application. The bad guys will use methods of scanning to find hosts that run versions of applications and operating systems that have known exploits.
At Your Disposal
It is a very common tactic used by hackers. They need to know such information about each device on a network. Banner analysis identifies the beachheads, where the next step is to take over. After that, cyber criminals will create a forward base to stage further maneuvers or attacks.
Hackers are capable of hiding their tracks during the process as well. But cyber security mostly hinges upon reducing risk and exposure. Since outdated software is often a main culprit of technical vulnerabilities, it should be viewed as the best mortar available.
Every Tool Has Its Purpose
If castles and roads can be designed to stand for centuries, then the elements must be considered. Cyber attacks are becoming more common. Meanwhile the proper defenses in many sectors of industry are slipping. People must learn how to build cyber infrastructure that is indestructible.
Standing the test of time with all your digital assets in order will be the only indicator of future integrity. Uncertainty is all too common. But knowing is always half the battle. So by using Simius to perform external banner analysis, this offers a leg up. Our services further provide additional scans and tests to probe and identify any available exploits.
Unfortunately, no network is safe. Until superior encryption technology is adopted, there will always be a risk of breaking into all computer systems. For now, we can focus on securing those lose ends however. And the beauty is that this is not so difficult. On the contrary, by identifying such risks, you will reduce the chances of getting hacked.
Including this as part of a smart home automation platform is important. Each device is vulnerable to banner analysis. Hackers can request information from devices without sending a response. That means that they can use stealth from the start. This is how the internet was designed.
For Your Sharing Only
Internet protocols are designed for sharing information. Security seems to be the last thing which was considered. That might just be the most fatal flaw of them all. Still, there is no excuse. Raising awareness and using best practices from the cybersecurity industry is what Simius is all about. Our reports on your home network will keep you informed and advises how to take action
Break It Down
The angle might seem wide but it is in fact quite narrow. Remember that phishing campaigns are the most common method of hackers breaching systems. Passwords also become compromised due to security leaks. Whatever the cause, our edge must stay sharp.
External banner analysis is the best way to validate any open broadcasts coming from a network. Home security devices in particular will be of interest to hackers. If they can breach a smart camera for example, then there are other options available for cyber criminals to take advantage of. This leads to consequences beyond anything virtual. Psychological, financial, and even physical harm are increased in risk. It might seem unlikely, but online networks can be searched just like Google, Bing, or Duck Duck Go, etc.
If you don’t believe it, then check out Shodan. It is a search engine for all networks and IoT devices. Mostly, the results are based on banner analysis. One might think it shouldn’t be so easy. But that’s the sad part about the internet. It was not designed to be secured. Hence the need to secure devices.
Build Them Up
What’s more, banners can be disabled. Let me repeat that. Banners can be taken down. Your devices can be configured to remove such information. But without knowing which devices have them, there is no telling what information they will reveal. Its better to deceive the hackers than to inform them.
Many common ports are susceptible to banner grabbing. But the most important way to prevent it is by restricting access to your network. This includes segmenting devices using a VLAN. But testing those defenses is the only way to validate. Simius provides this solution and gives information on which devices are at risk.
By imitating the cyber attack, Simius offers you with insight. We deliver information for you to take action. Banner grabbing is part of our process. At the same time, your personal data is respected. Nothing sold to anyone. You own your data. And you should be empowered to grab your own banners, and take them down as you see fit.
Summary
In this article, we covered the basic concept of grabbing network banners for analysis. Each device broadcasts a beacon or banner so that it can identify itself. Simius identifies them and reports any risks. Its important to know if any banners are leaking information about your devices.
