Dumpster Diving

What is Dumpster Diving?

Dumpster diving is a physical security attack where attackers search through trash, recycling bins, or other discarded materials to find sensitive information such as documents, hard drives, or other items that could be used for malicious purposes. This technique is often used in corporate espionage, identity theft, and social engineering attacks.

How Dumpster Diving Works

Attack Process

• Target identification – Identify locations with valuable information
• Timing analysis – Determine when trash is collected
• Physical access – Gain access to dumpsters or trash areas
• Document collection – Gather discarded materials
• Information extraction – Extract sensitive data from found items

Common Targets

• Corporate dumpsters – Business trash and recycling
• Residential trash – Personal documents and information
• Construction sites – Building plans and specifications
• Medical facilities – Patient records and medical information
• Financial institutions – Banking and financial documents

Types of Information Found

Corporate Information

• Business documents – Contracts, proposals, and reports
• Employee records – Personal information and credentials
• Financial data – Budgets, invoices, and financial statements
• Technical documents – System configurations and passwords
• Marketing materials – Strategic plans and customer data

Personal Information

• Identity documents – Driver's licenses, passports, social security cards
• Financial records – Bank statements, credit card information
• Medical records – Health information and insurance details
• Personal correspondence – Letters, emails, and notes
• Electronic devices – Hard drives, USB drives, and mobile devices

Detection and Prevention

Physical Security Measures

• Secure containers – Use locked dumpsters and shredding bins
• Surveillance systems – Install cameras and monitoring
• Access controls – Restrict access to trash disposal areas
• Regular inspections – Monitor for suspicious activity
• Employee training – Educate staff on proper disposal

Document Management

• Shredding policies – Require shredding of sensitive documents
• Digital transformation – Reduce paper-based information
• Secure disposal – Use professional document destruction services
• Inventory management – Track sensitive documents
• Retention policies – Establish document retention schedules

Organizational Policies

• Clean desk policies – Require clean workspaces
• Disposal procedures – Clear guidelines for document disposal
• Incident reporting – Report suspicious activity
• Regular audits – Review disposal practices
• Vendor management – Ensure secure disposal services

Response and Recovery

Immediate Actions

• Secure the area – Prevent further access to trash
• Document the incident – Record all details
• Assess the damage – Determine what information was compromised
• Notify authorities – Report to law enforcement if necessary

Investigation Steps

• Evidence collection – Preserve any remaining materials
• Impact assessment – Evaluate the scope of compromise
• Root cause analysis – Identify why information was accessible
• Corrective actions – Implement improved security measures

Best Practices

• Shred all sensitive documents – Use cross-cut shredders
• Use secure disposal services – Professional document destruction
• Implement clean desk policies – Keep workspaces clear
• Train employees – Regular security awareness training
• Monitor disposal areas – Surveillance and access controls
• Regular security audits – Review and improve procedures