It is true that the internet has made life easier for us, but it has also posed many threats to us. The Social Engineering Attack is considered to be one of the most perilous cyberattacks as they focus on individuals rather than on computers or networks.
Clever tricks are played by the hackers to earn the trust of the victims so that they divulge their secrets, follow links, or make payment transactions.
What Are Social Engineering Attacks?
Social Engineering Attack is an attack strategy used by cyber criminals in order to trick their victims into disclosing confidential information or taking dangerous actions.
Cyber criminals can pose as:
- Bank staff members
- Company managers
- IT support technicians
- Delivery services
- Government representatives
- Friends or relatives
- Online services
The primary objective of Social Engineering Attack is to convince the victim of the trustworthiness of the criminal.
How Social Engineering Attacks Work
Most Social Engineering attacks take a very simple process:
Reconnaissance – Gathering of intelligence on the target.
Story building – Creation of a convincing scenario.
Building of rapport – The attacker assumes an identity.
Creation of urgency – Creating fear or pressure to get things done quickly.
Execution of action – Asking the victim to perform actions.
Leverage of victim – Using the obtained information to gain something criminal.
Common Types of Social Engineering Attacks
Phishing
Phishing attack is one of the most popular types of Social Engineering Attacks.
Cyber attackers create false messages that seem to be from trusted institutions.
They can make you:
- Check your account
- Change your password
- Download an attachment
- Click on an unreliable link
- Verify payment details
- Enter your login credentials
Warning signs include:
- Unusual sender email
- Urgency in message
- Unexpected attachments
- Unreliable links
- Spelling errors
- Requesting confidential information
Spear Phishing
Spear Phishing is a more refined type of Social Engineering Attack.
Instead of sending any random message to people, the attacker creates a personalized message for particular individuals.
The personalization may include:
- Your name
- Job designation
- Company name
- Name of the colleague
- Recent business transactions
- Public information
The attack is very believable.
Pretexting
Pretexting occurs when the attacker fabricates a believable story to get information.
Example:
- Posing as an IT personnel
- Posing as a bank personnel
- Posing as a manager
- Claiming an issue with the account
- Requesting identification information
The attacker uses a very believable fabricated situation to win the victim’s trust.
Baiting
“Baiting involves the use of an attractive thing or object that entices the victim to engage in hazardous activity.”
Some of these things are:
- Free software
- Prizes
- Discounts
- Free downloads
- USB drives
- Exclusive contents
Baiting is designed in a way to pique the curiosity of the victim.
. Quid Pro Quo
In this type of attack, the perpetrators give something to the victim in return for information or access.
Examples:
- Technical support scam
- Free offers
- False rewards
- Discount offers
- Business opportunities
The attacker makes it seem as though both parties have something to gain from the transaction.
Tailgating
Tailgating is a physical method of social engineering.
The hacker could try to get into a secure zone behind an authorized user.
He may say:
- “Could you hold the door?”
- “I lost my access key.”
- “I work in the IT department.”
- “I’m here to make a delivery.”
Simple courtesy gestures can lead to a major security breach.
Vishing
Vishing stands for voice phishing.
The attackers can try to fool victims through telephone calls.
- They can pretend that they are:
- bank workers
- customer support workers
- government officials
- company employees
- technical support workers
The attackers can make threats to the victim.
Smishing
Smishing is phishing via SMS or messaging application.
This can say:
- Package cannot be delivered
- Bank account needs verification
- You have won a prize
- Payment has failed
- Account to be suspended
Do not ever click on links just because it appears official.
Why Are Social Engineering Attacks So Effective?
Social Engineering Attacks are successful due to the exploitation of human psychology.
Attackers usually employ:
- Fright
- Curiosity
- Trust
- Pressure
- Greed
- Authority
- Pity
- Confusion
- Excitement
People will act without verifying if the request is legitimate.
Red Flags of Social Engineering Attacks
- 🚨 Urgency to act on an immediate basis
- 🚨 Strange links
- 🚨 Suspected attachments
- 🚨 Money transfer requests
- 🚨 Security warnings that are not legitimate
- 🚨 Strange requests from co-workers
- 🚨 Verification code requests
- 🚨 Skipping of usual processes
- 🚨 Suspected sender addresses
How to Protect Yourself
The chances of being victimized by a Social Engineering Attack can be greatly minimized through the implementation of simple safety procedures.
- Create strong and unique passwords.
- Utilize multi-factor authentication.
- Do not share verification codes.
- Consider the sender before replying.
- Do not click on suspicious links.
- Be cautious of unusual money requests.
- Update your software regularly.
- Utilize reliable security software.
- Do not download strange files.
- Consider your response before answering an urgent message.
How Businesses Can Prevent Social Engineering Attacks
Technology and Awareness of employees must work hand in hand in organizations.
Some key security measures are:
- Cybersecurity training
- Phishing awareness
- Multi-factor authentication
- Password policies
- Access control
- Email security system
- Identity verification
- Monitoring of security
- Incident response plan
- Security testing
Employees must be aware that asking questions is always preferable to taking a risky assumption.
What Should You Do After a Suspicious Attack?
In case you believe that you are a victim of Social Engineering Attacks, do the following immediately.
- Cut off communication with the attacker.
- Do not click any other links.
- Reset compromised passwords.
- Use MFA.
- Contact your bank if finances are concerned.
- Report suspicious emails.
- Notify your IT/Security department.
- Review your accounts.
- Detect any suspicious activity.
Taking immediate actions may save you from a bigger security catastrophe.
Final Thoughts
Social Engineering Attacks are dangerous as they use people’s psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities only.
Phishing, vishing, smishing, baiting, pretexting and many other tactics may be used to deceive even cautious people.
The main protection here is awareness, verification, and patience.
Always before you do something related to any contact, think about the following questions:
- Who is writing to me?
- Why do they ask that?
- Is it an expected request?
- Can I verify it through any other means?
A little delay can save you from social engineering attacks.