Patent attributes
An endpoint executes a deflection service that detects failed connection attempts (TCP RST packets) and evaluates whether they are likely the result of a reconnaissance attack. If an inbound connection fails, a connection request packet (TCP SYN) is sent to a decoy server that includes data from the TCP RST packet. The decoy server then completes a connection handshake with a destination of the TCP RST packet and engages a process at the destination. If an outbound connection fails, the deflection service facilitates a connection between a process executing on the endpoint and the decoy server and associated with a destination port referenced by the TCP RST packet.