* [Blog](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog) * [Palo Alto Networks](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/corporate/) * [Announcement](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/) * The Rise of Advanced Atta... # The Rise of Advanced Attacks --- What Business Leaders Need to Know [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2025%2F03%2Frise-advanced-attacks-what-business-leaders-need-to-know%2F) [](https://twitter.com/share?text=The+Rise+of+Advanced+Attacks+%E2%80%94+What+Business+Leaders+Need+to+Know&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2025%2F03%2Frise-advanced-attacks-what-business-leaders-need-to-know%2F) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2025%2F03%2Frise-advanced-attacks-what-business-leaders-need-to-know%2F&title=The+Rise+of+Advanced+Attacks+%E2%80%94+What+Business+Leaders+Need+to+Know&summary=&source=) [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/03/rise-advanced-attacks-what-business-leaders-need-to-know/&ts=markdown) \[\](mailto:?subject=The Rise of Advanced Attacks — What Business Leaders Need to Know) Link copied By [Anand Oswal](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/anand-oswal/?ts=markdown "Posts by Anand Oswal") Mar 10, 2025 5 minutes [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown) [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/advanced-dns-security/?ts=markdown) [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/advanced-threat-prevention/?ts=markdown) [Data Exfiltration Attacks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/data-exfiltration-attacks/?ts=markdown) [Exfiltration Shield](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/exfiltration-shield/?ts=markdown) Cyberthreats are evolving at an alarming rate, thanks to cybercriminals' use of advanced technologies, like AI, to develop more sophisticated attacks that no one has ever seen before. Today, we're seeing attackers leveraging automation, artificial intelligence and adaptive malware to exfiltrate data in ways that bypass standard detection mechanisms (i.e., security solutions that focus only on perimeter defenses). One example of the latest tactics bad actors are using is called *Relayed Data Exfiltration via HTTP Headers*. This type of attack uses stealthy siphoning techniques to steal sensitive business data, customer information or intellectual property without triggering alarms. Unlike brute-force cyberattacks that immediately lock systems, these attacks are like a slow drip of stolen data. The attackers hitch a ride through your HTTP headers, using them as a covert pathway to exfiltrate data out of your organization while disguising their activity as normal web traffic. Instead of sending stolen data directly to the attacker, small chunks of information are embedded in cleverly crafted domains and sent to trusted internet services. When these services process the domains, they unknowingly forward the hidden data to the attacker via DNS. Since many security tools don't inspect HTTP headers for hidden data exfiltration, attackers can easily steal your data using this innovative new technique. ![Introducing Exfiltration Shield: prevent data exfiltration via DNS Relay Attacks.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/word-image-335878-1.png) Exfiltration Shield blocks data exfiltration by preventing DNS relay attacks via HTTP headers. This is just one example of novel attacks being waged against unwitting victims. As businesses adopt cloud technologies and remote work, cybercriminals have more entry points to exploit, which means that businesses must rethink their security strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats. ### **Protecting Against the Latest Attack Techniques --- The Proof Is in the Data** That's why Palo Alto Networks security services are always evolving to detect and neutralize the most stealthy and evasive threats before they can do harm. We do this through a combination of real-time monitoring, GenAI-based real-time threat detection and advanced threat intelligence, to stay ahead of threats. We then introduce new security enhancements to keep you protected. And we have the numbers to prove it. Our latest advancements in CDSS show the impact of our continuous innovation and the increasingly complex threat environment: * We've seen an**18% increase in events** analyzed daily, from an average ≤4.6 billion to now ≤5.43 billion, which includes benign and malicious activity across files, URLs, domains and network sessions. * What's most troubling is that**new and unique attacks have increased by ~4X**every day (increasing from ≤2.3 million to ≤8.95 million), which includes detections of new threats like relayed attacks. * Of all these threats, we're\*\*blocking ~3X more attacks inline,\*\*jumping from ≤11.3 billion to ≤30.9 billion each day, stopping them in real-time before they reach the network, endpoint or user, preventing damage before it even starts. When security teams need to defend against an overwhelming volume of real-time threats, the ability to analyze, identify and block attacks faster and with greater precision is critical. With Palo Alto Networks, your security is constantly getting better. New features are being added to protect against the latest attack techniques without you needing to change your software. These improvements mean that security teams can detect, respond and prevent attacks at unprecedented scale and speed: * \*\*Reduced Risk of Compromise --\*\*More threats are identified before they reach your network. * \*\*Greater Efficiency --\*\*High-fidelity detection reduces time spent investigating unnecessary threats. * **Stronger Overall Security Posture --** Inline blocking prevents attacks before damage occurs. ### The Next Evolution In today's rapidly evolving threat landscape, staying ahead isn't just a goal, it's a commitment. With more accurate, real-time data, organizations can make informed security decisions, minimize exposure and prevent breaches before they happen. And as threats continue to evolve, so do we. We introduced a new feature, [Exfiltration Shield](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/exfiltration-shield-prevents-relayed-data-exfiltration-attacks), that combines relay detection in Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) with a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) validation in Advanced DNS (ADNS) to extract HTTP requests and verify domains in real time, preventing attackers from using trusted domains to exfiltrate data undetected. In essence, it stops attackers from using HTTP headers to exfiltrate data by blocking this technique in real time, closing yet another pathway for cybercriminals to exploit. At Palo Alto Networks, keeping pace with evolving threats means continuously pushing the boundaries of security. With more data analyzed, more threats identified and more attacks stopped in real time, we're delivering on our promise to keep you protected. And we're not stopping here. Stay tuned for what's next. *Exfiltration Shield is now generally available (GA). If you're a current ATP customer, you can start protecting your organization from data exfiltration immediately by* [*enabling inline cloud analysis*](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/advanced-threat-prevention/administration/configure-threat-prevention/configure-inline-cloud-analysis)*in your configuration. If you're not yet an ATP customer, now is the time to upgrade.* [*Contact a sales representative*](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/secure-your-enterprise-contact-us.html)*to learn how you can get best-in-class security that stops evasive threats before they cause harm.* *** ** * ** *** ## Related Blogs ### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Data Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/data-security/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Meet Exfiltration Shield: Prevent Relayed Data Exfiltration Attacks](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/exfiltration-shield-prevents-relayed-data-exfiltration-attacks/) ### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### New Year, New Program, New Opportunities](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2026/02/new-year-new-program-new-opportunities/) ### [AI Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/ai-application-security/?ts=markdown), [AI Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-governance/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown), [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Palo Alto Networks Announces Support for NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2026/01/support-nvidia-enterprise-ai-factory/) ### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Cloud Network Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cloud-network-security/?ts=markdown), [Cloud NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/cloud-ngfw/?ts=markdown), [Guest Post](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/guest-post/?ts=markdown), [Hybrid Cloud Data Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/hybrid-cloud-data-center/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Untangling Hybrid Cloud Security](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/12/untangling-hybrid-cloud-security/) ### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/sase/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Achieve True Zero Trust and Peak Performance with Prisma Access 6.1](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/sase/achieve-true-zero-trust-and-peak-performance-with-prisma-access-6-1/) ### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Prisma AIRS Integrates Microsoft Foundry for Comprehensive AI Security](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/11/prisma-airs-integrates-azure-ai-foundry/) ### Subscribe to the Blog! Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more. ![spinner](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up Please enter a valid email. By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply. {#footer} {#footer} ## Products and Services * [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown) * [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown) * [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown) * [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown) * [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown) * [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown) * [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown) * [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown) * [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown) * [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown) * [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown) * [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown) * [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown) * [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown) * [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown) * [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown) * [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown) * [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown) * [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown) * [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown) * [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown) * [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown) ## Company * [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown) * [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/) * [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown) * [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown) * [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown) * [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown) * [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown) ## Popular Links * [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown) * [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown) * [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown) * [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown) * [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center) * [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown) * [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown) * [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown) * [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown) * [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd) ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg) * [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown) * [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown) * [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) * [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown) Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved * [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks) * [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown) * [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/) * [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks) * [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks) * EN Select your language