Disabling Security Tools

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 Disabling Security Tools 

Sometimes hackers use the very tools meant to protect organizations to gain access to their systems. Microsoft Windows became the world’s desktop operating system of choice when it was first released in 1985. And while its market share has gotten smaller in recent years, it still remains a dominant force compared to its distant runner up, Apple OSX. The mass adoption of Windows, and the fact that it’s easier to fall victim to attacks, such as malware and bots, has made it a favorite playground for hackers. That’s partly why Microsoft began installing a native anti-spyware and antivirus program, called Windows Defender, with the release of Windows Vista. Unfortunately Microsoft didn’t consider that hackers would attack the very thing supposed to protect Windows users. Novter, also known as Nodersok or Divergent, was a Trojan attack that took down Windows Defender’s real-time protection features. Once disabled, the Trojan would download additional malware to the system.

What you need to know: Hackers use a variety of techniques to avoid detection and operate without barriers. This often involves modifying the configuration of security tools, such as firewalls, to get around them or explicitly disabling them to prevent them from running at all. 

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