Glossary

Watering Hole Attack

Instead of attacking you directly, hackers infect a website they know you'll visit - like a predator waiting at a watering hole. Industry forums, supplier websites, or professional associations are common targets. You think you're safe because it's a trusted site, but it's been poisoned.

What is Watering Hole Attack?

A targeted attack strategy where attackers compromise websites frequently visited by their intended victims, infecting visitors with malware when they access the legitimate site.

Why Should You Care?

Understanding watering hole is essential for building a strong security posture. This knowledge helps organizations identify threats early and respond appropriately.

Is your business exposed?

Real-World Example

Security teams regularly encounter watering hole in their day-to-day operations. Recognizing and responding to these scenarios is a core security competency.

How to Protect Against Watering Hole Attack

  1. 1.

    Keep browsers fully patched

  2. 2.

    Use browser isolation for sensitive browsing

  3. 3.

    Disable unnecessary browser plugins

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