// THREAT DETECTION AND DATA PRIVACY TERM
Honeypot
A honeypot is a decoy computer system set up to attract and trap cyber attackers. It looks like a legitimate target but is isolated, allowing security teams to watch hackers' activities and learn their methods without risking real systems.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A honeypot is a cybersecurity mechanism and deception technology deployed as a decoy computer system, network, or data to lure and detect unauthorized access attempts from cyber attackers. It serves as a controlled environment for security analysts to gather intelligence on threat actors' tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), malware, and attack vectors, thereby improving an organization's security posture and intrusion detection systems.
BACKGROUND
In computer terminology, a honeypot is a computer security mechanism set to detect, deflect, or, in some manner, counteract attempts at unauthorized use of information systems. Generally, a honeypot consists of data that appears to be a legitimate part of the site which contains information or resources of value to attackers. It is actually isolated, monitored, and capable of blocking or analyzing the attackers. This is similar to police sting operations, colloquially known as "baiting" a suspect.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- decoy system
- lure
- digital trap
- bait system
- tar pit
- attacker trap
USAGE NOTE
Honeypots are primarily used for research and intelligence gathering, not as a direct defense to block attacks on production systems.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Honeypot.
A leading provider of commercial honeypot solutions. Their product, 'Canary', is designed for easy deployment within corporate networks to create deceptive assets that trigger alerts when attackers interact with them.
SentinelOne acquired Attivo Networks, a pioneer in deception technology. The Attivo ThreatDefend Platform creates a comprehensive deception fabric of honeypots and lures to detect lateral movement and unauthorized activity across various attack surfaces.
A non-profit, global research organization dedicated to investigating the latest attacks and developing open-source security tools. They are foundational to the development and understanding of honeypots and honeynets, providing tools, papers, and challenges.
A major cybersecurity company whose InsightIDR (Intrusion Detection and Response) platform includes honeypot functionality. Users can deploy honeypots as lures to quickly detect intruders who are exploring the network.
Zscaler acquired Smokescreen, a company specializing in active defense and deception technology. Their solutions deploy a network of decoys, including fake workloads and credentials, to detect and analyze targeted attacks.
A deception-based cybersecurity company that provides solutions to mislead and detect threats. Their platform deploys deceptive assets and honeypots both inside and outside the network perimeter to gain intelligence on and block attackers.
Proofpoint acquired Illusive, a company focused on identity risk management and deception. Illusive's technology creates a deceptive layer of credentials and connections on endpoints and servers to detect and stop attackers moving laterally.
LogRhythm, a security information and event management (SIEM) provider, offers integrated honeypot capabilities. Their platform can be configured to use honeypots as a data source, adding an extra layer of threat detection by identifying interactions with these decoy systems.