Question

you implemented snmpv2 as a part of your overall network management plan. you configured an snmp manager to gather traps from snmp agents that run on monitored network devices. to secure communications between the manager and the agents, you configured a trap community name of abc123.after running the system for some time, you notice that traps containing questionable events are being sent to the snmp manager. upon investigation, you discover that a malicious insider has been spoofing these events, attempting to cover her tracks as she tried to compromise several network hosts.what could have been done to prevent this from happening?

Answer 1

To prevent spoofing events by a malicious insider in an SNMPv2 network, the use of SNMPv3 with enhanced security features is recommended, alongside implementing network access controls, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent the issue of a malicious insider spoofing events on an SNMPv2 implemented network, stronger security measures should have been applied. Since SNMPv2 does not offer robust authentication or encryption, the use of a simple trap community name like abc123 is not sufficient for securing communications between the manager and the agents. A better approach would have been to upgrade to SNMPv3, which provides enhanced security features such as message integrity, authentication, and encryption options. This protocol ensures that only authorized users can access or manipulate the management information. In addition to protocol upgrade, implementing network access controls, firewalls, and intrusion detection or prevention systems can further safeguard the network against unauthorized access and fake trap messages.

Regular security audits and monitoring for anomalies can also play a crucial role in early detection of suspicious activities, thereby preventing potential breaches. Network administrators should stay vigilant and ensure that all network management tools and protocols are configured with the highest security standards in mind.