What characterizes a watering hole attack?

A watering hole attack is characterized by compromising a heavily trafficked website to distribute malware. This method involves cyber attackers identifying a web location frequented by their intended victims and then infecting that site with malware. When users visit the compromised site, they are unwittingly exposed to the threat, which may then compromise their devices, allowing attackers to gain access to sensitive information or further exploit the user’s system.

In contrast, the other options describe different attack methodologies. Exploiting vulnerable software on users' devices generally refers to a direct attack on the software installed on the user's device rather than a compromise of the website they visit. Using phishing emails to steal credentials is a tactic that involves tricking individuals into providing personal information via deceptive messages, rather than manipulating a common online resource. Targeting specific individuals through social engineering emphasizes personalized attacks aimed at manipulation rather than the broad approach of infecting a public website. Each of these methods serves different purposes and exploits distinct vulnerabilities.