Protect Your Organisation From Stranger Strings

In the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, danger lurks in the shadows of ordinary life — a flickering light, a hidden passage, or a seemingly harmless object can conceal a gateway to the Upside Down.

That’s how it is with the batch files still used by many organisations to conduct critical daily file transfers.  These batch files may look mundane, even routine.  However, a single hidden line of code can unleash chaos.  

Hiding in Plain Sight 

A batch file is essentially a script: a sequence of commands executed by the operating system. While this makes them convenient for repetitive tasks, it also makes them vulnerable to tampering. A single malicious line can transform a routine transfer into a catastrophic event.

Consider this simple example: “del C:\*.* /Q /F” 

This line, if inserted into a batch file, would attempt to delete every file on the C: drive. To the untrained eye, it might blend seamlessly among legitimate commands like ‘xcopy’ or ‘robocopy’. Yet its impact would be devastating — wiping out critical data, halting operations, and potentially opening the door to further exploitation by hackers.  

The danger lies not in the complexity of the attack, but in its simplicity. One unnoticed command can undo years of work. 

The Demogorgon in the Detail 

Batch files are inherently insecure because they lack the safeguards modern IT environments demand. Their key risks include: 

• Ease of manipulation: as they’re plain text, anyone with access can edit them, inserting destructive or unauthorised commands. 

• No authentication or encryption: they move files without verifying the sender or encrypting the data, leaving sensitive information exposed. 

• Limited logging and visibility: they provide little or no audit trail. You may not even know a breach has occurred until the damage becomes apparent. 

• Escalated privileges: a malicious line may not just affect files; it may compromise your entire system. 

• Prone to human error: a simple mistyped command can have disastrous consequences.  

  
  

No Place for 80s Nostalgia 

Batch files are relics of a time when networks were simpler and threats less sophisticated. In today’s environment of ransomware, insider threats, and regulatory scrutiny, relying on them is a huge gamble. 

The Modern Alternative 

Managed File Transfer (MFT) solutions address batch file vulnerabilities by providing a secure, automated framework for moving data. Unlike batch files, MFT platforms are designed with security, compliance, and reliability at their core. 

Here’s why MFT is a safer choice: 

• Encryption by default: MFT solutions encrypt files both in transit and at rest, ensuring sensitive data cannot be intercepted or read by unauthorised parties. 

• Authentication and access control: Only authorised users and systems can initiate transfers, and different permissions can be assigned to each user. This prevents tampering and ensures accountability.  

• Audit trails and monitoring: Every transfer is logged, providing visibility into who moved what, when, and where. This is invaluable for compliance and incident response. 

• Error handling and recovery: MFT platforms include built-in mechanisms to detect failed transfers and retry automatically, reducing the risk of data loss. 

• Scalability and automation: MFT systems can handle complex workflows across multiple environments, eliminating the need for fragile, manually maintained scripts. 

• Compliance support: For industries bound by regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS, MFT provides the controls and reporting necessary to demonstrate compliance. 

Staying Out of the Upside Down 

The contrast between batch files and Managed File Transfer is stark. Batch files are like handwritten notes left on a desk — easy to read, easy to alter, and easy to misuse. MFT, by comparison, is like a secure courier service: encrypted, tracked, and accountable at every step.  

At Generic Systems Australia, we’re Australia’s and New Zealand’s experts in helping organisations automate their file transfers with Managed File Transfer solutions. If you’d like to discuss how we can help you, please feel welcome to get in touch with me.  I’m always happy to have an obligation-free chat and explain how simply and affordably we can replace your outdated batch files with a reliable and efficient MFT solution.