Once inside a network, targeted attacks can use it as a highway to further a campaign. By using network traffic, coupled with threat intelligence, enterprise response teams can monitor and stop attacks before their respective attackers get away with their goal
RATs or remote access Trojans—like the prominent Gh0st, PoisonIvy, and DRAT—have made it easier for attackers to stay hidden within a target network. A RAT's ability to disguise their network traffic as messaging app traffic makes it especially elusive.
Though phishing threats are typical on the Internet, the danger of spear-phishing attacks shouldn’t be downplayed. Sixty-five government entities have been exposed to spear-phishing—still the favored attack method because of its continued success in tricking
Targeted attack incidents from previous years prove that targeted campaigns don't always use the same attack methods. Diversifying defense measures such as log inspection, virtual patching, and the like can help minimize the risks they may face in 2013.
The Taidoor campaign primarily targeted government organizations located in Taiwan. Trend Micro Research was able to develop indicators of compromise useful in determining if an attack is underway in an enterprise.