Internet Exposure
Your infrastructure exposed on the Internet is visible to anyone, including attackers.
Your infrastructure exposed on the Internet is visible to anyone, including attackers. Misconfigured services, unnecessary open ports, and unpatched systems can be easily discovered and exploited by automated bots.
Internet Exposure: Most Common Problems in Enterprise Infrastructure
In every exposure evaluation, we scan your attack surface and evaluate each exposed service. What we see most every week:
SSH or RDP Publicly Accessible
Remote administration services exposed without restrictions. Automated bots constantly attempt access with default credentials or brute force.
Exposed Databases
Databases publicly accessible without authentication or with default credentials. A common discovery in misconfigured infrastructure.
Services with Unpatched CVEs
Services with known vulnerabilities without patches applied. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities automatically.
Public Administration Panels
Control panels publicly accessible without protection. WordPress admin, phpMyAdmin, hosting panels exposed to the Internet.
Exposed Sensitive Information
Configuration files, backups, or sensitive data publicly accessible. Information that shouldn't be on public services.
Unnecessary Open Ports
Services listening on ports that aren't used or shouldn't be public. Each open port is an opportunity for attackers.
Impact and Typical Signs
If your infrastructure is exposed insecurely, you'll see some of these signs:
Critical signs requiring immediate action:
- Unauthorized access to exposed systems (SSH, RDP, databases, panels)
- Exploitation of known vulnerabilities in public services
- Theft of sensitive data from exposed services without protection
- Use of your systems as an entry point to attack other targets
Early warning signs:
- Failed access attempts from multiple IPs (automated scanning)
- Loss of trust if customers discover your systems are compromised
- Regulatory non-compliance if personal data is exposed
- You appear in databases of exposed services (Shodan, Censys)
How to Know What You Have Exposed on the Internet
Indicators that you may have excessive exposure:
Most Common Causes
The most frequent problems in Internet exposure:
Services Exposed Unnecessarily
SSH, RDP, databases, administration panels publicly accessible when they could be on VPN or private network. Often exposed for convenience without considering risk.
Unupdated Systems
Services with known vulnerabilities without patches applied. Each day without a patch is an additional day of risk.
Insecure Default Configurations
Default credentials, services with overly broad permissions. Configurations that come "open" by default and are never adjusted.
Lack of Network Segmentation
Everything accessible from the Internet without firewalls or restrictions. Without segmentation, a compromise can easily propagate.
Exposed Sensitive Information
Configuration files, backups, or data on public services. Information that shouldn't be publicly accessible.
Unnecessary Open Ports
Services listening on ports that aren't used or shouldn't be public. Each open port is an additional attack surface.
What Internet Exposure Evaluation Includes
We perform a complete audit of your attack surface. What we specifically look at:
Attack Surface Scanning
We identify all services publicly exposed from your infrastructure. We map what's accessible and from which IPs/domains.
Vulnerability Analysis
We evaluate if exposed services have known vulnerabilities without patches. We identify exploitable CVEs in public services.
Configuration Review
We verify if services are configured securely or with default configurations. We identify insecure configurations.
Necessity Evaluation
We identify which services really need to be public and which could be on VPN or private network. We reduce unnecessary exposure.
Reduction Recommendations
We give you a prioritized plan to reduce exposure without affecting operations. We prioritize by impact and ease of implementation.
Continuous Monitoring
We alert you if new exposed services appear or changes in your attack surface. We maintain visibility of your exposure.
We prioritize by impact: first what can compromise data or access, then surface reduction improvements.
Deliverables
You'll receive a detailed report with:
Inventory of Exposed Services
Complete list of what's publicly accessible and from which IPs/domains. Complete mapping of your attack surface.
Vulnerability Analysis
Which services have known CVEs without patches. Prioritization by criticality and ease of exploitation.
Risk Assessment
Which services are most critical and most exposed. Impact potential analysis of each exposed service.
Reduction Plan
Prioritized recommendations to close or protect exposed services. Clear and actionable steps.
Secure Configurations
Guides to protect services that must remain public. Hardening of services that can't be closed.
Verification Checklist
Processes to periodically check what's exposed. Continuous maintenance of your attack surface.
Timelines
Internet exposure evaluation is completed in 3-5 business days. If we detect critical exposed services requiring immediate action, we alert you within 24 hours with containment steps.
Evaluation Scope and Limits
To be clear about what it covers and what it doesn't:
We do not perform penetration tests without explicit authorization: We only scan and evaluate, we don't exploit vulnerabilities. If you want penetration tests, we coordinate them separately with written authorization.
We do not modify your infrastructure directly: We give you the plan, you or your provider implement it. We focus on identifying and documenting, not executing changes.
We do not provide continuous infrastructure management services: Only evaluation and planning. If you need continuous management, we can recommend options.
Next Step
If your company has infrastructure exposed on the Internet, reducing your attack surface is critical. An evaluation gives you complete visibility of what's exposed, what risks it entails, and a clear plan to reduce them without disrupting operations.
Questions frequently asked
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the "attack surface"?
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It's everything that's publicly accessible from the Internet and that an attacker could use to enter your systems. The larger your attack surface, the more opportunities attackers have. Reducing it means exposing only what's strictly necessary and protecting it adequately.
Which services should be publicly exposed?
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It depends on your business. Typically: your website, public APIs if you have them, and services that customers need to use. Should NOT be exposed: SSH, RDP, databases, administration panels, internal services. These should be on VPN or private network.
What happens if I need remote access to my servers?
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Remote access (SSH, RDP) must be protected. Options: use VPN (access only from VPN), restrict by IP (only from your office), use two-factor authentication, or managed remote access services (e.g., Tailscale, ZeroTier). We help you choose the best option for your case.
How does it affect me if I use cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)?
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Cloud services also expose services on the Internet. We evaluate which cloud services you use, what's publicly exposed, and if security configurations (security groups, firewalls) are correct. Often we find misconfigured cloud services that expose more than necessary.
What's the difference between "exposed" and "vulnerable"?
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Exposed means it's accessible from the Internet. Vulnerable means it has a weakness that can be exploited. A service can be exposed but not vulnerable (if it's well configured and updated), or it can be exposed AND vulnerable (high risk). We evaluate both aspects.
How long do attackers take to find exposed services?
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Automated bots constantly scan the Internet. If you expose a service, it will probably be discovered in hours or days. That's why it's critical that you only expose what's necessary and that it's well protected and updated.
Can I do this myself with free tools?
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You can use tools like Shodan or port scanners, but our service is more complete: we analyze specific vulnerabilities, evaluate configurations, prioritize risks, and give you an action plan. Additionally, we alert you if new exposed services appear in the future.
Need help with this?
Start with an initial security assessment that identifies the most critical risks and gives you a prioritized action plan.