Demystifying Cyber Threats: A Journey Through Threat Intelligence
Imagine standing guard at the gateway of our digital universe, where the line between safety and vulnerability blurs with every click. This isn’t just the plot of a sci-fi novel; it’s the reality of our online lives. Today, I’m taking you along on my own journey into the heart of cybersecurity, where we peel back the layers of Threat Intelligence to reveal not just the mechanics, but the human story behind the fight against cyber threats. Through a hands-on lab with IBM’s X-Force Exchange, we get up close and personal with the digital specters haunting our online world.
A Closer Look at Threat Intelligence
This adventure isn’t about coding or hacking; it’s about understanding. Through exploring the X-Force Exchange, we’re not just learning about cybersecurity — we’re learning how to think like digital detectives. With every threat mapped and analyzed, we see the world not as a scary place, but as a puzzle waiting to be solved.
X-Force Exchange — Exploring Cyber Landscape
IBM’s X-Force Exchange will be used to provide a more detailed picture and additional data about the events that transpired during these attacks. Although it’s a totally free service, you will have to register.
Navigate to IBM X-Force Exchange, after signing in to IBM Account: https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/
Let’s look for one of known-ransomware: WannCry in the X-Force. To do so, Click on the “ View More “ at the bottom of Public Collection
Search for “Wannacry” in the Public Collection search bar
Select the WannaCry collection folder for more details.
Navigate to the most recent Botnet report on the right side of webpage under Reports section
This is how we hunt and collect details for specific malware, threats using X-Force Exchange. Now lets, take a look at the some of the threat’s today (Feb, 2024)
X-Force Exchange offers a plethora of information on past cyberattacks, but what we need to know, as security experts, is “What is plaguing the world right now?” X-Force Exchange can help us out with this as well.
Navigate back to the X-Force Homepage
Go to view malicious activity map to see the threats/malicious activity in the last hour.
If you click on Command and Control, or any other category at the bottom of the page, you’ll find the list of categorized IP address all linked to recent that specific category. Let’s try it out for C&C:
Go for one of the captured IP address for more details.
Click the “Follow” button located at the upper right corner of the report to keep track of the occurrence. You won’t need to continually checking in by hand because this will notify you whenever there are any new instances or modifications to the report.
To view a list of the content you are presently following, go back to the homepage, select the notification tab in the upper right corner, and click the “follow”.
As we conclude our focused exploration of the X-Force Exchange, it’s clear that the power of Threat Intelligence lies not just in the data it gathers, but in the connections it fosters. Through the detailed analysis and collaborative environment provided by the X-Force Exchange, we’ve seen firsthand how shared insights can empower us to stand stronger against the evolving threats that shadow our digital landscapes. This platform isn’t just a repository of information; it’s a beacon for those dedicated to making the internet a safer place for everyone.
The journey through the X-Force Exchange has underscored the importance of collaboration in cybersecurity. By pooling our knowledge and resources, we transform individual vulnerabilities into collective strengths, turning the tide against cyber adversaries with every piece of shared intelligence.
Our exploration may end here, but our vigilance does not.
Stay tuned for more blogs delving into the critical realms of Application Security, SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), Data Loss Prevention, and Threat Hunting.
