Case Study: Bruteforce Mitigation
Background:
As a provider of web hosting services, our company has a responsibility to ensure that our clients’ websites are safe and secure from cyber threats. One of the most common threats faced by websites is a brute force attack, where an attacker attempts to guess the correct username and password combination to gain access to the website’s admin panel. As a result, we have implemented various measures to mitigate the risk of such attacks on our servers.
Challenge:
One of our clients, a small business owner, contacted us after noticing suspicious login attempts on their website’s admin panel. They were concerned that their website might be under a brute force attack and requested that we investigate and take necessary measures to prevent such attacks in the future.
Solution:
Our team of security experts immediately began investigating the issue. They found that the client’s website was indeed under a brute force attack, with multiple login attempts per minute being made from different IP addresses. The attack was targeting the WordPress login page, and the attacker was using a botnet to automate the attack.
To mitigate the attack, our team implemented several measures. First, they installed and configured a plugin that limited the number of login attempts per IP address. This would prevent the attacker from making an unlimited number of attempts from a single IP address. Second, they added a captcha to the login page, which would prevent automated bots from attempting to login. Third, they disabled the XML-RPC function on the website, which is often used by attackers to launch brute force attacks.
Additionally, our team monitored the server logs to identify the source IP addresses of the attack and added them to a blacklist. This prevented the attacker from accessing the website from those specific IP addresses. Our team also reached out to the client and advised them to update their website’s plugins and themes, as outdated software can be exploited by attackers.
Outcome:
As a result of the measures implemented by our team, the client’s website was protected from the brute force attack. The client was pleased with the quick response of our team and the effectiveness of the measures taken. They also appreciated the advice given regarding updating their website’s software, which they implemented promptly.
Furthermore, our team continued to monitor the server logs for any suspicious activity and took proactive measures to prevent future attacks. This included regular software updates, installation of security plugins, and implementing additional security measures such as two-factor authentication.
Conclusion:
Brute force attacks are a common threat faced by websites, and it is important to implement measures to mitigate the risk of such attacks. Our team was able to quickly identify and mitigate the attack on the client’s website, protecting their business and reputation. We continue to work with our clients to ensure that their websites are safe and secure, providing peace of mind for both them and their customers.
