In cybersecurity, "External IPs" refer to the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses that are assigned to devices connected to the public internet. These IPs are visible to the outside world and serve as the public-facing identifier for a device or network.

External IPs play a crucial role in network communication, allowing devices to communicate with each other over the internet. However, they also represent a potential security vulnerability as they can be targeted by attackers to gain unauthorized access to devices or networks.

Organizations need to monitor their external IPs for any suspicious activity and implement security measures to protect them from attack. This can include using firewalls to block unauthorized access, implementing intrusion detection and prevention systems, and regularly scanning for vulnerabilities. 

ThreatNG can help organizations understand and manage their external IPs effectively, contributing to a stronger security posture. Here's how:

1. External Discovery and Assessment:

ThreatNG discovers and assesses external IPs through various methods:

• Domain Intelligence: ThreatNG analyzes DNS records to identify IP addresses associated with an organization's domains and subdomains. This mapping helps understand which IPs are directly connected to the organization's online presence.

• IP Intelligence: ThreatNG's dedicated IP Intelligence module gathers information about external IPs, including their geolocation, ownership details, and any known vulnerabilities associated with them. This helps assess the risk level of each IP and prioritize security measures.

• Subdomain Takeover Susceptibility: When assessing subdomains, ThreatNG also identifies the IPs they resolve to. If a subdomain is vulnerable to takeover, the associated IP could be leveraged by attackers.

2. Reporting and Continuous Monitoring:

• Reporting: ThreatNG provides detailed reports on external IPs, including their associated domains, vulnerabilities, and risk levels. These reports help organizations understand their IP footprint and potential security gaps.

• Continuous Monitoring: ThreatNG continuously monitors external IPs for any changes or suspicious activity. This includes monitoring for new vulnerabilities, malicious traffic, or any signs of compromise.

3. Investigation Modules:

• IP Intelligence: This module allows for in-depth investigation of specific external IPs, providing details like WHOIS records, reverse DNS lookups, and historical data. This helps determine the legitimacy of an IP and identify any potential threats associated with it.

4. Intelligence Repositories:

• Known Vulnerabilities: ThreatNG maintains a repository of known vulnerabilities, including those that affect specific IP addresses or IP ranges. This information is used to assess the risk level of external IPs and prioritize remediation efforts.

5. Complementary Solutions:

ThreatNG integrates with various complementary security solutions to enhance its capabilities:

• Vulnerability Scanners: ThreatNG can integrate with vulnerability scanners to obtain more detailed information about vulnerabilities affecting external IPs. This allows for more accurate risk assessment and prioritization of remediation efforts.

• Threat Intelligence Platforms: ThreatNG can ingest threat intelligence feeds from other platforms to gain additional insights into threats targeting external IPs. This helps identify and block malicious traffic and prevent attacks.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems: ThreatNG can integrate with SIEM systems to provide real-time visibility into security events related to external IPs. This enables security teams to quickly identify and respond to potential attacks.

Examples of ThreatNG Helping:

• Identifying Vulnerable IPs: ThreatNG discovers that an external IP associated with a web server has a known vulnerability that allows for remote code execution. This allows the organization to patch the vulnerability and prevent a potential attack.

• Detecting Malicious Activity: ThreatNG detects suspicious traffic originating from an external IP that is attempting to access a sensitive system. This allows the organization to block the traffic and investigate the source of the attack.

• Monitoring for Changes: ThreatNG alerts the security team when an external IP associated with a critical system changes unexpectedly. This could indicate a compromise or misconfiguration, allowing for prompt investigation and remediation.

Examples of ThreatNG Working with Complementary Solutions:

• Vulnerability Scanner Integration: ThreatNG receives vulnerability scan results from a third-party scanner and correlates them with its own IP intelligence data. This provides a more comprehensive view of the vulnerabilities affecting external IPs and helps prioritize remediation efforts.

• Threat Intelligence Integration: ThreatNG receives a threat intelligence feed indicating that a specific external IP is associated with a known botnet. This allows ThreatNG to block traffic from that IP and prevent it from participating in malicious activities.

• SIEM Integration: ThreatNG detects suspicious activity on an external IP and sends an alert to the SIEM system. The SIEM system correlates this alert with other security events and provides a more comprehensive view of the potential threat, enabling faster and more effective incident response.

By leveraging its powerful capabilities and integrations with complementary solutions, ThreatNG provides a comprehensive approach to managing external IPs, helping organizations understand their IP footprint, identify potential threats, and implement effective security measures.