Reverse engineering is the process of analysing a system or software to understand its components, functionality, and architecture. In the context of mobile apps, reverse engineering typically involves deconstructing an app’s compiled code to reveal its source code, data structures, and logic. The goal may be to identify vulnerabilities, extract sensitive data, or alter the app’s behaviour for malicious purposes.
Cyber attacks have evolved into intricate operations, often executed in multiple stages to achieve maximum impact while evading detection. Multi-stage cyber attacks leverage complex execution chains to mislead victims, bypass traditional defences, and deliver devastating outcomes. For organisations and individuals alike, understanding the mechanics of these attacks is essential for crafting effective defence strategies.
Multi-stage cyber attacks are a formidable challenge, but with offensive security techniques, organisations can move from reactive to proactive defence. By adopting vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, cyber forensics, malware analysis, and reverse engineering, businesses can detect and neutralise threats before they escalate.
Offensive security encompasses a range of practices that simulate cyberattacks in a controlled environment, allowing businesses to identify security risks in their systems and address them before attackers can exploit them. The core components of offensive security include vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, malware analysis, cyber forensics, and reverse engineering.
### The Misconception of Security Through Size
One pervasive misconception is that smaller businesses are less likely to attract cybercriminals’ attention. However, data proves otherwise: cybercriminals often see SMBs as easy targets precisely because they may lack the extensive defences of larger enterprises. Small and medium businesses hold valuable data, including customer information, financial records, and intellectual property, making them prime candidates for attacks such as phishing, ransomware, and business email compromise.
IoT ransomware operates similarly to traditional ransomware but targets IoT devices instead of conventional endpoints like computers or servers. Once IoT ransomware gains access to an IoT device, it can: