troubleshooting Question
Mitigations on PCs running AutoIT
https://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/autoit-used-to-spread-malware-and-toolsets/
Users are requesting for AutoIT to automate their tasks (mouse clicks, repetitive keystrokes etc)
but I have concerns like what's listed in link above.
What are the mitigations we can put in place to balance between work productivity & IT security risks?
Are the following valid mitigations?
1. air-gap those PC running AutoIT, namely remove Internet access & email access as these two are
top vectors of malwares. Users told me they don't need these 2 functions on the PCs running
AutoIT but the AutoIT programmer wants it on his PC as he doesn't want to switch around
between PCs when developing AutoIT scripts & using email/Internet
2. I heard we can compile the scripts & then uninstall AutoIT : so if a hacker got into the PC, he
can't develop keyloggers/malicious scripts (that capture credentials). The programmer felt
this is restrictive but to work around, I heard we can create config file for scripts to read in
parameters/variables to give more flexibilities or options for the scripts to operate: is this
so? Is this a good mitigation?
Pls add on any further mitigations.
I've heard of VB & Java scripts being risks : are they of similar nature as the risks of AutoIT?
Users are requesting for AutoIT to automate their tasks (mouse clicks, repetitive keystrokes etc)
but I have concerns like what's listed in link above.
What are the mitigations we can put in place to balance between work productivity & IT security risks?
Are the following valid mitigations?
1. air-gap those PC running AutoIT, namely remove Internet access & email access as these two are
top vectors of malwares. Users told me they don't need these 2 functions on the PCs running
AutoIT but the AutoIT programmer wants it on his PC as he doesn't want to switch around
between PCs when developing AutoIT scripts & using email/Internet
2. I heard we can compile the scripts & then uninstall AutoIT : so if a hacker got into the PC, he
can't develop keyloggers/malicious scripts (that capture credentials). The programmer felt
this is restrictive but to work around, I heard we can create config file for scripts to read in
parameters/variables to give more flexibilities or options for the scripts to operate: is this
so? Is this a good mitigation?
Pls add on any further mitigations.
I've heard of VB & Java scripts being risks : are they of similar nature as the risks of AutoIT?
Learn from the best
Network and collaborate with thousands of CTOs, CISOs, and IT Pros rooting for you and your success.
Andrew Hancock - VMware vExpert
See if this solution works for you by signing up for a 7 day free trial.
Unlock 1 Answer and 2 Comments.
Try for 7 days”The time we save is the biggest benefit of E-E to our team. What could take multiple guys 2 hours or more each to find is accessed in around 15 minutes on Experts Exchange.
Our community of experts have been thoroughly vetted for their expertise and industry experience.
This award recognizes a member of Experts Exchange who has made outstanding contributions to the community within their first year as an expert. The Rookie of the Year is awarded to a new expert who has the highest number of quality contributions.
The Distinguished Expert awards are presented to the top veteran and rookie experts to earn the most points in the top 50 topics.