Chinese Threat Actors Use Quad7 Botnet in Password-Spray Attacks
Introduction
A recent report has revealed that Chinese threat actors have been using the Quad7 botnet to launch password-spray attacks. These attacks have been targeting various organizations and individuals, and they have been successful in compromising a number of accounts.
Background on the Quad7 Botnet
The Quad7 botnet is a large botnet that has been active since at least 2016. It is composed of over 100,000 compromised devices, and it is used to launch a variety of cyberattacks, including DDoS attacks, spam campaigns, and phishing attacks.
How the Quad7 Botnet is Used in Password-Spray Attacks
In password-spray attacks, the attackers use a list of common passwords to attempt to log in to a large number of accounts. They use the Quad7 botnet to distribute the attack across a large number of compromised devices, which makes it more difficult for security defenses to detect and block the attack.
Impact of the Password-Spray Attacks
The password-spray attacks have been successful in compromising a number of accounts, including accounts belonging to government agencies, businesses, and individuals.
Mitigation Strategies
There are a number of steps that organizations and individuals can take to mitigate the risk of being compromised by a password-spray attack. These steps include:
- Using strong passwords
- Enabling two-factor authentication
- Implementing rate limiting on login attempts
- Using a web application firewall (WAF)
- Monitoring for suspicious activity
Conclusion
Password-spray attacks are a serious threat, and they can have a significant impact on organizations and individuals. The Quad7 botnet is a powerful tool that can be used to launch these attacks, and it is important to be aware of the risks and to take steps to mitigate them.