What Is Social Engineering? A Complete Overview
Cybercriminals use a variety of techniques to trick their victims, and one of the most common tactics they use is social engineering. To stay clear of social engineering attacks, one must know what it means, how it is done, and what the best practices are to identify and thwart them. This blog provides a comprehensive overview of this topic.
Social Engineering Meaning
Social engineering refers to a set of tactics used by cybercriminals to manipulate their victims into trusting them. Once trust is gained, they can easily deceive victims into believing false information and revealing sensitive personal or financial data
Types Of Social Engineering Attacks
Below listed are some of the common types of social engineering attacks employed by attackers. Knowing them is essential to build a strong awareness of social engineering and take proactive measures against them
Phishing
Spear phishing social engineering involves sending fraudulent emails, texts, or messages pretending to be from genuine sources. They are used to deceive victims and make them share sensitive information or click a malicious link.
Baiting
The meaning of baiting in cyber security is tricking people by leaving storage devices like USB drives, which are infected, in public places. When the victims take them and plug them in, their devices get compromised
Pretexting
In the case of pretexting, attackers would reach out to their victims by making up a fake scenario, for instance, an emergency or an official inquiry, and trick them into sharing sensitive information like bank details, social security numbers, or similar confidential data
Scareware
Scareware is another commonly employed social engineering phishing technique where a victim receives warnings about a device compromise and receives malware as a remedy. Panicked victims install the malware only to let their data be compromised
Tailgating
Tailgating, as the name suggests, involves unauthorized individuals covertly following authorized professionals of an organization into restricted or forbidden areas. This deceptive practice allows an unauthorized person to gain access to sensitive data
Quid pro quo
Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase that means ‘this for that.’ In this type of social engineering, both parties involved benefit. For instance, attackers promise some benefits to their victims in exchange for the sensitive information they share
Watering hole attack
Watering hole attacks refer to a method where an attacker covertly installs malicious software on a reputable website that is frequently visited by the target audience. The attacker then waits for the right opportunity to infect the devices of visitors to the compromised site
How To Prevent Social Engineering Attacks?
Here are a few preventative measures you can take to stop malicious actors from using social engineering to deliver ransomware and steal your data.
Enhance password strength using a password manager
A password manager helps create unique and strong passwords using a combination of different characters. When you use a password manager on your accounts, attackers are less likely to hack them and thereby compromise your data
Maintain security with easy device access
Leaving your mobile phone or laptop unattended in a public place, even for charging or a bathroom break, can leave your device vulnerable to hacking. Always keep it within your sight
Empower employees with knowledge transfer
More than half of the social engineering attacks happen as a result of user negligence or ignorance. Therefore, educating your employees about potential risk factors is inevitable. Carry out regular knowledge transfer sessions
Use multi-factor authentication as an additional security layer
Multi-factor authentication acts as an additional security layer. This means that even if an attacker learns your primary password, they won’t be able to access your accounts without completing the additional authentication steps required to verify your identity
Reduce exposure of your personal data online
Remember that attackers use logic to crack passwords by gathering personal information you share online. The more data they collect about you, the easier it becomes for them to predict your password patterns.
Regularly update your antivirus software
An outdated antivirus program on your computer offers little protection. It can make it as vulnerable as having none at all. Attackers often exploit the vulnerabilities in these programs to compromise systems.
Treat all data requests with a zero-trust approach
Our cyber security and social engineering experts recommend thorough identity verification whenever you receive a request for sensitive data sharing. This helps ensure that the requester is who they claim to be.
Jim Jacob
Jim Jacob is the founder of Cyberguard. He is an IT professional who has 21 years of professional experience in the tech field. Cybergurad is the product of his vision to share the knowledge gained from his career through the power of words. He is an expert at explaining complex tech concepts in simple language and has written numerous articles on IT and Cybersecurity.
Businesses can ensure that they have a secure error handling mechanism which allows website users to tackle or address any website error with minimal information. When website errors occur, users are forced to disclose sensitive information which hackers may get access to.
Conclusion
Studies show that more than 90% of cyberattacks involve or originate from some form of social engineering. This underscores the critical need for effective strategies to prevent them. Staying vigilant about the types of social engineering attacks and the best practices to avoid them, as discussed in this blog, can considerably reduce your risk. We also recommend considering a reliable cybersecurity provider to guide you and improve your protection
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Social engineering is one of the most ubiquitous cyber security attacks. It is estimated that about 95% of cyberattacks happen as a result of social engineering tactics used by criminals.
No. Social engineering is not considered an ethical practice as it involves fraudulent means to deceive victims and trick them into sharing their valuable data. It is a cyber offense and can result in legal action if found guilty.
If you receive any unusual requests to share sensitive personal or company data under pressure or in an emergency, remember that this could be an attempt at social engineering. When you receive such requests, take extra steps to verify the identity of the requester.
Social engineering attacks are carried out by manipulating human psychology. The attacker would try to deceive their victims by presenting them with fake information regarding their identity and tricking them into revealing confidential information.