Social engineering is a commonly overlooked threat to cybersecurity. Tactics are used to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Through this, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.
Social engineering encompasses various tactics. These methods often rely on deception, urgency, or fear to prompt individuals to act without thinking critically about the consequences.
COMMON TYPES OF SOCIAL ENGINEERING ATTACKS
PHISHING
- Fraudulent emails or text messages
- Appears to be from legitimate sources
- Tricks individuals into revealing sensitive information
- Persuades to click on malicious links
PRETEXTING
- Impersonates a real, reputable individual
- Creates fake, deceiving scenario
- Aims to build trust in order to gain access to personal information
BAITING
- Tempts with something enticing or valuable
- Lures victims into a trap
- Leads to malware, stealing personal and financial information
TAILGATING
- Also known as “piggybacking”
- Exploits human error and kindness
- Attacker gets physical access to restricted area of business to steal data
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
- Be Skeptical: Always question unsolicited requests for sensitive information. Verify the identity of the requester through official channels.
- Think Before You Click: Be cautious of links in emails or messages, even if they seem legitimate. Hover over links to see actual URL before clicking.
- Educate Yourself and Others: Regularly participate in cybersecurity training and share knowledge with others to raise awareness.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to help protect your accounts, even if credentials are compromised.
By staying informed and vigilant, you can help protect yourself from the deceptive tactics of social engineering.
Social Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University.