Definition
In cybersecurity, temporary files are created for a single or specific temporary purpose. You can store temporary data and various cache information, create them during specific operations, and delete or remove them permanently once the job is done.
Unfortunately, temporary files might contain sensitive data and become vulnerable to exploitation or unauthorized access.
Common Applications of Temporary Files in Cybersecurity
- Forensic investigations: Digital forensic investigators can use temporary files, such as downloaded files or exfiltrated data, to uncover valuable evidence about attackers’ activities.
- Malware analysis: Temporary file metadata and samples can help cybersecurity analysts detect malicious codes, payloads, configuration data, and log information.
- Exploitation and evasion: Some attackers hide malicious code in temporary files to avoid detection. So, you should constantly monitor suspicious temporary files to detect potential security threats.
