Deception and Disruption - CompTIA Security+SY0-701 - 1.2

Understanding Honeypots and Honeynets in IT Security

What is a Honeypot?

• A honeypot is a security mechanism designed to attract attackers, allowing IT professionals to observe their techniques and methods.

• It helps in understanding the types of automated processes used by attackers and the systems they target.

Creating Virtual Environments

• Honeypots create a virtual environment that simulates real systems, diverting attackers from actual production systems.

• As attackers improve their ability to identify honeypots, security professionals must enhance the complexity and realism of these traps.

Expanding to Honeynets

• Multiple honeypots can be combined into larger infrastructures known as honeynets, which include various components like workstations and servers.

• The goal is to create a more believable environment that keeps attackers engaged longer.

Advanced Techniques: Honeyfiles and Honeytokens

Honeyfiles

• Honeyfiles are fake files containing misleading information (e.g., "passwords.txt") designed to lure attackers into accessing them.

• Alerts can be set up for unauthorized access attempts on honeyfiles, indicating potential breaches.

Honeytokens

• Honeytokens are traceable data points added to honeynets; if accessed or shared, they reveal the source of the leak.