

How to Keep Your Business Safe from Logic Bombs?  

Businesses all over the world turn their focus from old-school cyber perils to all advanced security breaches. The truth is, things have changed in this sector – bad actors have started to make the best use of old hacking techniques by squeezing them a little. One such threat is the Logic Bomb

We know what you think. Ticking bombs are rarely seen in real life. From what you’ve been used with, bombs are something only seen in the news or action movies. But not anymore. In an all-tech world, bombs are real – they exist with the intent of intruding devices and causing irreparable damage. 

The biggest downside of a Logic bomb is that nobody is aware of where or when it is going to explode. Our post here strives to help you understand what a logic bomb is and how this malicious program impacts your business’s online security. 

Logic Bomb Definition

Logic bombs are a series of malicious code embedded in software that activates when there is a response to an event that was allotted in the code.

For instance, if Google Chrome’s launch is the activating event when someone would open the Google Chrome browser, the attack would take place. Think of it as an old-school doomsday flick- it’s a matter of date and time. 

A logic bomb can alter the devices’ date or time, delete valuable records from the system and even activate a malware application that can cripple your device. 

Losses generated by a logic bomb attack can vary considerably from device to device and sometimes can lead to file deletion, data corruption, and even hard drive deletion.  

The way they work depends on many factors. In fact, nobody knows the reason, the time and who designed it. From what we know, each logic bomb is unique, a reason why they’re challenging to track. 

Logic bomb designers customize them to be as untraceable as possible. In most cases, logic bombs are meant to imitate a typical malware or embedded in other types of malware such as worms. Most businesses fail to notice that viruses and worms are different and that logic bombs don’t care about these distinctions – once activated, a logic bomb can cause damage through both. 

Logic combs aren’t considered malware, but since they’re embedded in other programs, they usually have malicious intent. That’s a reason why slag codes can be immediately detected. Besides, showing up as a “code”, possibly insertable anywhere, avoiding the risk is more arduous. 

So, what’s the smartest thing to do when a logic bomb hits my business? Keep an eye shut on your business’s IT experts and ensure they do the necessary checks if in doubt. So far, the only risk is to unintentionally trigger the slag code trying to find it. 

Some Logic Bomb Features

All logic bomb viruses contain logic bombs, and all of them share the following features: 

  • You’ll never know it’s there because they lie dormant until triggered
  • Logic bombs convey an anonymous payload as part of the code 
  • They demand payload when you met a certain condition 

Besides that, logic bombs deliver their payloads when:

  • An exact amount of time expires  
  • A specific event or date occurs 
  • When a certain program is used
  • Someone fails to log in 
  • When a transaction is processed

Logic bomb payouts are meant to corrupt data, delete hard drives or files, and collect sensitive data. 

Is it possible to prevent logic bombs? 

Logic bombs are mostly activated by those with access to the software’s backend – be that a contractor, a service provider, or even a trusty employee. 

If you’re out and about keeping an eye on these malicious threats, consider the following tips: 

  • Ensure Your Service Provider/Vendor is Reliable

Research their previous projects and see if it has some bad records (security being one of them). Ask your service provider to bring/show some use testimonials or cases. 

You can also ask their previous customers about how the product and the service were- whether they had any security concerns. 

  • Keep the Master Key Around

Ensure you get access to any service/product your vendor provides. In case there’s a stringent protocol or they are not ready to give access, you can always ask them to log in to show you the back end. 

Audit them whenever you get the chance and make sure there is no mistrustful code running. 

  • Invest in Reliable Antivirus 

Up-to-date antivirus programs are vital requirements regardless of your business. A performant antivirus will undergo periodic deep scans you can detect and prevent any sign of “bombs” triggering your devices. 

Consider the antivirus as the first layer of security against malware of all kinds, even logic bombs. The most important features of antivirus are steady enough to be able to trigger malware on your device. The thing is, you should be ready to spend some money if you need more robust features.

  • Stay Cyber Security Conscious 

Some basic security measures combined with other forms of protection will work wonders for your business’s security levels and keep you safe from logic bomb malware. Vital cybersecurity measures like not accessing shady email attachments, links, or ads about viruses can keep you safe. 

Are Software Updates and Patches Required?

Absolutely. Hackers love security gaps, also known as security weaknesses. These are security gaps found in an operating system or software. Bad actors often take advantage of these susceptibilities by writing code to target the weakness. This code is embedded into malware, which can sometimes affect your device with no action other than clicking shady emails or playing infected media. 

What’s next? A malicious virus or a logic bomb stealing your data or allowing bad actors to access your device and encrypt your files. But if you regularly update your software patches, you’ll rest assured knowing there are no security gaps to attract hackers. 

The post How to Keep Your Business Safe from Logic Bombs?   appeared first on Technology Moon.

This post first appeared on Technology Moon, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

How to Keep Your Business Safe from Logic Bombs?  


Subscribe to Technology Moon

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription