Social Engineering – Exploiting Human Error to Acquire Private Information, Access, or Valuables
Social engineering is a serious security threat that can have a significant impact on individuals, organizations, and businesses. By being aware of the different techniques that attackers use and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a social engineering attack. Social engineering is a type of security threat that relies on human interaction to gain access to systems, networks, or information. Attackers use social engineering techniques to trick or manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security.
What is the Definition of Social Engineering?
Social engineering refers to all techniques aimed at talking a target into revealing specific information or performing a specific action for illegitimate reasons. – European Union Agency For Cybersecurity
What Does Social Engineering Mean?
Social engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human error to gain private information, access, or valuables. It can also refer to a top-down effort to influence particular attitudes and social behaviors on a large scale. Social engineering relies on human nature, rather than technical hacking, to deceive and manipulate people into compromising their personal or enterprise security3. Social engineering attacks can happen online, in-person, and via other interactions.
Social engineering attacks center around the attacker’s use of persuasion and confidence. When exposed to these tactics, you are more likely to take actions you otherwise wouldn’t.
Among most attacks, you’ll find yourself being misled into the following behaviors:
Heightened emotions: Emotional manipulation gives attackers the upper hand in any interaction. You are far more likely to take irrational or risky actions when in an enhanced emotional state.
Sense of urgency: Attackers often create a false sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure you into acting quickly and without thinking.
Authority or trust: Attackers often pose as someone you know, trust, respect or fear, such as a friend, colleague, boss, government official or celebrity.
Reciprocity: Attackers may offer you something of value or do you a favor in exchange for your cooperation or information.
Curiosity: Attackers may entice you with intriguing offers, links, attachments or downloads that spark your curiosity and tempt you to click or open them.
Types of Social Engineering Attacks
There are many different types of social engineering attacks, but some of the most common include:
Phishing: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers send fraudulent emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source. The goal of phishing is to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or opening an attachment that contains malware.
Baiting: Baiting is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers leave malicious devices or objects in public places in the hopes that someone will pick them up and use them. Once the device or object is used, the attacker can then gain access to the victim’s computer or network.
Quid pro quo: Quid pro quo is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers offer something of value to the victim in exchange for sensitive information. For example, an attacker might offer a free gift or service in exchange for the victim’s credit card number or social security number.
Pretexting: Pretexting is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers create a false scenario in order to gain the victim’s trust. Once the victim’s trust has been gained, the attacker can then ask for sensitive information or perform actions that compromise security.
Shoulder surfing: Shoulder surfing is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers watch the victim enter their login credentials or other sensitive information. Shoulder surfers often work in public places, such as libraries or coffee shops, where they can easily blend in with the crowd.
Tailgating: Tailgating is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers follow an authorized individual into a secure area without authorization. Tailgating is often used in conjunction with other social engineering techniques, such as pretexting or phishing.
How to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Attacks?
The best way to protect yourself from social engineering attacks is to be aware of the different techniques that attackers use. You should also be suspicious of any emails, messages, or offers that seem too good to be true. If you are ever unsure about whether or not an email or message is legitimate, you should contact the sender directly to verify.
Here are some additional tips for protecting yourself from social engineering attacks:
- Do not click on links in emails or messages from unknown senders.
- Do not open attachments in emails or messages from unknown senders.
- Be careful about what information you share online.
- Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
- Keep your software up to date.
- Be aware of your surroundings and be on the lookout for shoulder surfers.
- Report any suspicious activity to your IT department.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from social engineering attacks and keep your information safe.
