# Stop Server Message Block (SMB) Exploits and Advance Your Career in Cybersecurity

The devastating cyberattacks of recent years, including WannaCry, NotPetya, and EternalBlue, all exploited flaws in Server Message Block (SMB). These attacks highlight the importance of detecting and defending against SMB vulnerabilities. For anyone serious about a career in cybersecurity, knowing how to identify and mitigate these risks is not just smart – it's essential.

## What is SMB?

Server Message Block (SMB) is a network protocol used primarily by Microsoft for sharing files, printers, and other resources across the network. It allows users to read, create, and update files on remote servers and communicate with other programs over the network. With the shift to remote work, many organizations have exposed internal services like SMB over the internet, often without adequate security controls. This has significantly increased the risk of exploitation.

## The Risks of SMB Exploits

An SMB exploit is a technique used by cybercriminals to take advantage of vulnerabilities in the SMB protocol. When attackers exploit SMB vulnerabilities, they gain unauthorized access to systems, run malicious code, and cause widespread disruption. For example, WannaCry looked for exposed SMB ports (most commonly port 445), which were exposed due to misconfiguration. Once an exposed port was found, the chain of exploits continued, spreading a worm throughout the network that ultimately deployed ransomware on infected machines.

## The Operation SMB Exploit Challenge

Our latest Capture the Flag challenge in Cisco U aims to hone your skills in identifying SMB vulnerabilities in operating systems (such as Windows and Linux) that leave your network open to these attacks. This hands-on practice allows you to analyze network security from an attacker's perspective, helping you understand potential impacts and how they can be used to identify SMB vulnerabilities that can be exploited in services like Microsoft's.

## Benefits of Completing the Operation SMB Exploit Challenge

Completing our Capture the Flag challenge will not only help you develop critical skills in ethical hacking but also equip you with a valuable skill set for a role in offensive security. The end result is that you'll be able to proactively crush any chances of exploits in your simulated attack.

## Cisco Certificate in Ethical Hacking Program

If identifying SMB exploits sounds intriguing, but you're new to the certificate program or need a refresher, view our infographic on the Cisco Certificate in Ethical Hacking program. If you've passed the Ethical Hacker course from Cisco Networking Academy, complete the new challenge to earn a Cisco Certificate in Ethical Hacking.

## Join the Community

Joining a community of like-minded peers and experts in the Cisco Certificate in Ethical Hacking Community will help ensure you keep your momentum going and finish strong. You can also continue to collect additional badges with more Capture the Flag challenges in Cisco U, which are released every 90 days.

## Get Started

Start the Operation SMB Exploit challenge in Cisco U now and build critical skills in ethical hacking – an in-demand field that just keeps growing. Sign up for Cisco U | Join the Cisco Learning Network today for free.

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