Honeypot is like a fake computer system, such as email or file servers, that's made to attract hackers. It's like cheese in a mouse trap - hackers can't resist it. Once they interact with the honeypot, it logs all their moves for us to study or stop their attacks. There are four main types - deception services, weakened systems, hardened systems, and user mode servers. Honeypots can help stop common attacks and even tricky ones like worms, DDoS, and malware.
Honeyfile is like a fake important file, like a password file, that we leave out to trick hackers. If they take the bait and interact with the honeyfile, it alerts us and we can take action. Honeyfiles are good for catching and stopping specific types of attacks like ransomware and inside jobs.
Honeypot and honeyfile - are like traps set to catch attacks. They're like our offense in the game of cybersecurity. When and how we use them depends on what we're defending against (risks, costs, timeline, etc.).
Pros:
Honeypot methods are great because they play on human mistakes and can be really powerful. They can stop leaks and protect real systems. Unlike typical security stuff like antivirus or firewall, honeypot methods can catch new and unknown attacks and even inside jobs. They're also great for learning about cybersecurity threats.
Cons:
Making and using honeypot methods can be tricky. They only work if they look attractive to hackers. Keeping an eye on these systems can take a lot of time and money. If not handled right, they can even help the hackers. Plus, they could cause privacy and legal issues. Lastly, honeypot methods can't replace other security measures.
How to use them:
When deciding to use honeypot methods, we gotta weigh the risks and benefits. Specific honeypot systems can be used based on our risk assessment and if we have the resources. If we're expecting a lot of attacks, we can use honeynets to catch and stop them.