What method does Zscaler use to disrupt command and control communications?

Zscaler uses the method of blocking outbound connections to disrupt command and control communications effectively. Command and control (C&C) servers are used by attackers to send commands to compromised systems and receive information from them. By blocking these outbound connections, Zscaler can prevent malware from communicating with its C&C infrastructure, thus stopping potential data exfiltration and additional compromise.

This method is especially critical because even if malware has already infected a system, preventing it from reaching out to its C&C server can thwart an attacker’s ability to manipulate the compromised systems and limit further damage. This proactive approach contributes to securing the network environment against a range of cyber threats.

While encrypting information, implementing strong passwords, and using multi-factor authentication are all essential security practices, they are not directly related to the disruption of C&C communications. Encryption secures data in transit or at rest, strong passwords help protect accounts, and multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to user access, but none of these directly prevent an infected device from communicating with an attacker's server. Therefore, blocking outbound connections is the most effective method to disrupt command and control communications in this context.