Honeypots can be divided into several types based on different simulation targets, primarily categorized by the level of interaction and the specific systems or services they emulate. Here’s a breakdown:
Low-Interaction Honeypots
These simulate only basic services (e.g., a fake FTP or HTTP server) with minimal functionality. They are easy to deploy and low-risk but provide limited information about attackers.
Example: A honeypot mimicking a simple Telnet service that logs connection attempts but doesn’t allow full login.
High-Interaction Honeypots
These run real operating systems and services, allowing attackers to interact deeply. They provide richer data but are riskier to manage.
Example: A decoy server with a fully functional Linux OS and database, used to observe advanced attack techniques.
Application-Layer Honeypots
Focus on specific applications (e.g., web, email, or database services) to study attacks targeting those layers.
Example: A fake e-commerce website honeypot to analyze SQL injection or shopping cart exploits.
System/OS-Level Honeypots
Emulate entire operating systems to attract attackers aiming for system-level access.
Example: A honeypot pretending to be a Windows Server 2019 with open RDP ports.
Network-Level Honeypots
Simulate network infrastructure (e.g., routers, firewalls) to monitor traffic and attacks like scanning or spoofing.
Example: A decoy router honeypot logging malformed packets or unauthorized access attempts.
Industrial Control System (ICS) Honeypots
Mimic critical infrastructure systems (e.g., SCADA) to study attacks on utilities or manufacturing.
Example: A fake power grid control system honeypot to detect ICS-specific threats.
For cloud environments, Tencent Cloud offers Honeypot services (e.g., as part of its Cloud Security products) to help enterprises deploy and manage honeypots for threat detection, especially for web applications or server vulnerabilities. These can be integrated with Tencent Cloud Security Center for centralized monitoring.