How to Explore Autonomous Systems in Business Network and the Way Hackers use it

The’ net’ in’ internet’ is a network. It’s also technically an internet network— a computer network. Are you still confused?

We refer to these independent computer networks as autonomous systems when we talk about routing. A single, independent system routes packets internally, while packets traveling through the internet typically pass through many autonomous systems.

Think of it: Internet routing occurs on independent systems and not on single pcs. Each AS receives its own distinctive 16-digit identity number or ASN, thanks to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).

Smaller networks like your home have much easier network-internet interactions. When you purchase an internet service plan, the ISP provides you with a DSL or one of those old school cable modems which allow you to reach the “total web” on the router, the only thing about the router is that you have your local computers + machines on one side, and you have the whole internet on the other.

So why build Autonomous systems?

This is enough for mere mortals to explain how the internet operates. But if you want to prevent getting bound to a single internet provider or your internet connection is not as great as you need it, you build your own AS if you want to’ expand your possible parameters,’ as they say.

The fact that you have your own AS can be useful to your network in various respects, including:

• IP address portability
• Achieving flexible network administration
• Direct interaction with IXP’s
• Individual network identity for external and internal purposes
• Full traffic control
• Ability to set your BGP with ASN No.

How to build an Autonomous system

It is not that hard to create an autonomous system and only requires a few measures. If you want to develop an independent system, you do this:

Step 1: Found a company–you need to set up an AS by a legal entity, so begin brainstorming on a business name.

Step 2: Get yourself a public address –this might be the toughest step. You must obtain a government IP address block that is sufficiently big to advertise over BGP. Three IPv4 addresses are no longer left, so you must purchase an IPv6 address, which can be quite expensive.

Step 3: Find colleagues–The difficult aspect of the web is that you need to be connected to one side of it in order to achieve anything. If you’re looking at only one other AS, you don’t have to operate BGP. However, if you did, you can use a personal autonomous system number that can readily be replaced by your upstream supplier. Then they will transfer the remainder of the internet along your paths.

Step 4: Get a router that can handle the entire Internet routing table–This is a strong router that you are not able to purchase at your local store. One alternative would be to create a router yourself from a server running the operating system of the router.

How AS is used by Hackers

When a business expands and invests in its own AS, safety issues come into play over your network and traffic. You likely have lots of personal data that you want to maintain private. Hackers are hunting for data, and can access your network with sufficient ability, intercept your packages and have remote access to all your pcs to install malicious code on your server.

It is not difficult to locate the own IP range owner. Many services provide extensive data about organisations like WHOIS, CIDR, etc. Knowing this information can assist you identify links between businesses, figure out the attack surface and perform a nasty target DDoS attack.

This is where the cyber security industry enters. There are instruments that display vulnerabilities and assist remove malware from your network. However, few of these instruments are effectively designed to prevent attacks.

On the market, the upcoming cyber security business Spyse is creating a solution based on mass information collection from the internet. Spyse utilizes these information to produce a comprehensive network vulnerability map. This instrument helps safety experts to predict vulnerabilities, to stay ahead of hackers and to prevent future system threats.

Spyse recently published various instruments for safety technicians, penters, sysadmins and company analysts in beta-test mode. ASlookup is one of their most latest creations that enables you to monitor the infrastructure of your organization, network or company.

The Spyse team is aware that it is best to avoid threats in advance; their services thus help you determine the attack surface and recognize vulnerabilities prior to exposure. Moreover, they give all fresh users 3 free credits.