Honey Pots
Definition
A honeypot is a security mechanism that creates a virtual trap
to lure attackers. An intentionally compromised computer
system allows attackers to exploit vulnerabilities so you can
study them to improve your security policies. You can apply
a honeypot to any computing resource from software and
networks to file servers and routers.
Types of Honeypot Deployments
Pure honeypots—complete production systems
1. that monitor attacks through bug taps on the
link that connects the honeypot to the network.
Low-interaction honeypots—imitate services
2. and systems that frequently attract criminal
attention.
High-interaction honeypots—complex
3. setups that behave like real production
infrastructure.
Benefits of Honeypots:
Early detection of attacks: Honeypots can provide early warning of new or previously
unknown cyberattacks, allowing IT security teams to respond more quickly and
effectively.
Improved security posture: They can significantly improve an organization’s security posture
by providing increased visibility and allowing IT security teams to defend against attacks the
firewall fails to prevent.
Distraction for attackers: Honeypots are a valuable distraction for attackers. More time and
effort consumed with honeypots means less effort devoted to legitimate targets.
Testing incident response processes: A honeypot helps organizations test their incident
response processes and identify areas for improvement.
Previous Records of Honeypots
State/Year 2019 2020 2021 2022
Andhra 30 75 100 420
Pradesh
Telangana 55 75 42 65
Maharashtra 75 80 95 115
Karnataka 109 85 92 132
Challenges and Limitations of
Honeypots:
Limited Scope: Honeypots only capture threats that interact with them. If attackers
target other parts of the network and avoid the honeypot, the threat may go undetected.
Maintenance: Honeypots require continuous updates to mimic real systems
convincingly.
Experienced attackers might easily recognize an outdated honeypot.
Potential misuse: If not properly isolated or secured, attackers can exploit honeypots as
a launch point for further network attacks.
False sense of security: Relying solely on honeypots might lead organizations to
overlook other essential security measures, leading to potential vulnerabilities.
Resource intensive: Setting up, managing, and analyzing data from honeypots can
be resource-intensive, requiring both time and expertise.
Risk of detection: Sophisticated attackers might recognize and avoid honeypots, making
them ineffective against advanced threats.
Honeypot Records Reported in Various states of India
reports recordered
1600
1439
1400 1342
1204
1200
1103
1023
996
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra Bihar Goa Telagana Uttar Pradesh
Conclusion
While several companies have developed products to build deception
technology, including honeypots, researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas
have been researching where deception technology is going next.
UT Dallas has developed the DeepDig (DEcEPtion DIGging) technique that
plants traps and decoys onto real systems before applying machine learning
techniques to better understand a malware attacker’s behavior.
The technique is designed to use cyber-attacks as free sources of live training
data for machine learning-based intrusion detection systems (IDS).
References:
https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-reference/honeypot
https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/honeypot- ho
neynet/#:~:text=A%20honeypot%20is%20a%20security,to%20i
mprove%20your%20security%20policies.
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-honeypot/
