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Security Operations · Intermediate

Watering Hole Attack

An attack that compromises a website frequently visited by a target group in order to infect those visitors.

Definition

Rather than attacking the target directly, the attacker identifies sites the victims trust, such as industry forums or local businesses, and plants exploit code or malicious downloads there. It is effective against well-defended organizations. Patching browsers and isolating web browsing reduce risk.

Example

Attackers compromise a regional energy industry association site to infect visiting utility engineers.

Exam tip

Key clue is targeting a site the specific victim group visits, not mass phishing.

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