What deceptive technique involves creating realistic but false data to mislead attackers?

The concept of creating realistic but false data to mislead attackers is best exemplified by decoy files. These files are designed to look and act like genuine data files, but they contain fictitious information. Their primary purpose is to mislead attackers into thinking they have accessed valuable or sensitive data, which can occupy their time and resources. By utilizing decoy files, organizations can divert attention away from actual sensitive data and gain insights into the techniques and patterns used by attackers when they interact with these crafted files.

This approach not only helps in detecting unauthorized access attempts but can also allow cybersecurity teams to analyze attacker behavior and improve their defenses. The ability to track these interactions through the decoy files provides valuable intelligence that can aid in strengthening the organization’s overall security posture.