A blended threat mixes several attack tricks at once—think phishing email + exploit link + worm-style spread—so one weak spot opens the door for the rest. It’s a combo hit designed to move fast, hide well, and do more damage than any single attack alone.
Hook: a convincing message or lure gets the first click.
Break-in: an exploit or stolen login lands the attacker inside.
Spread & escalate: malware moves sideways, grabs more access.
Payload: data theft, ransomware, or account takeovers.
Multiple alerts in different tools at the same time (email, EDR, firewall)
Users reporting odd prompts, fake login pages, or forced updates
Sudden spikes in network traffic or new admin tasks/services
Isolate affected devices and accounts.
Triage: confirm the entry point (phish, exploit, stolen creds).
Contain: block known domains/IPs, disable compromised accounts.
Hunt laterally for related infections; then eradicate and restore from clean backups.
Train for phishing awareness; use MFA everywhere.
Patch fast—especially browsers, VPNs, and email gateways.
Segment networks; limit admin rights and legacy protocols.
Turn on EDR/XDR with good logging and alert correlation.
Test your plan: tabletop exercises and restore drills.