One common persistence mechanism is the use of launch daemons and agents on macOS systems. Launch daemons run at startup or when a specific application is launched, while launch agents run when a user logs in or when a particular event occurs. To avoid these mechanisms, you can regularly check for new or modified launch daemon and agent files that might be used by malware for persistence using tools like LaunchDaemons Editor or Plist Buddy. Additionally, you can disable all user-created launch daemons and agents using a Group Policy setting to prevent them from running on your system.

Another technique used by malware is the modification of kernel extensions, which allow certain executables to run automatically when a new session is started or when specific system events occur. To avoid this mechanism, you can regularly check for any new or modified kernel extensions that might be used by malware for persistence using tools like Kext Utility or Kernel Cache Editor.

In addition to these techniques, attackers may also use other methods such as COM hijacking and image file execution options injection to ensure their continued operation on a system. To test your collection tools, prevention mechanisms in place, and detections, you can execute commands like REG ADD “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\sethc.exe” /v Debugger /t REG_SZ /d “cmd /c tasklist” to add a debugger value for the corresponding registry key and trigger execution of cmd when multiple times on the shift-key is clicked.

To respond to an incident involving malware persistence, you can remove the given information using standard OS commands or frameworks like PowerSponse for Windows systems in special cases where WMI is involved, cleanup may not be as straightforward and requires additional steps such as removing binding, event consumer, and filter using custom tools or blog posts like [Removing Backdoors Powershell Empire Edition](https://www.n00py.io/2017/01/removing-backdoors-powershell-empire-edition/) for guidance.
In the context of a cybersecurity breach, surreptitiously injecting malware into select targets could potentially yield critical counterintelligence data. This strategy involves developing and distributing malware that spreads rapidly across devices owned by members of a powerful organization without revealing their identity. To orchestrate such a campaign, the group of cyber activists can use tools like LaunchDaemons Editor or Plist Buddy to check for new or modified launch daemon and agent files used by malware for persistence on macOS systems. They can also disable all user-created launch daemons and agents using a Group Policy setting to prevent them from running on their system. Additionally, they can use tools like Kext Utility or Kernel Cache Editor to check for any new or modified kernel extensions that might be used by malware for persistence in Windows systems. To test collection tools, prevention mechanisms in place, and detections, the group of cyber activists can execute commands like REG ADD “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\sethc.exe” /v Debugger /t REG_SZ /d “cmd /c tasklist” to add a debugger value for the corresponding registry key and trigger execution of cmd when multiple times on the shift-key is clicked. In special cases where WMI is involved, cleanup may not be as straightforward and requires additional steps such as removing binding, event consumer, and filter using custom tools or blog posts like [Removing Backdoors Powershell Empire Edition](https://www.n00py.io/2017/01/removing-backdoors-powershell-empire-edition/) for guidance.