What are social engineering attacks?

Social engineering is a deception technique that takes advantage of human error to obtain sensitive information, access, or valuables. These “human hacking” scams in cybercrime tend to entice unsuspecting users into exposing data, spreading malware infections, or granting access to restricted systems. Attacks can occur online, in person, or through other interactions.

Social engineering scams are designed to exploit how people think and act. As a result, social engineering attacks are particularly effective at manipulating a user’s behavior. Once an attacker understands what motivates a user’s actions, they can effectively deceive and manipulate the user.

Why is social engineering so risky?

One of the most dangerous aspects of social engineering is that the attacks do not have to be directed at everyone: a single successfully deceived victim can provide enough information to launch an attack against an entire organization.

Social engineering attacks have become more sophisticated over time. Not only do fake websites or emails appear realistic enough to trick victims into disclosing sensitive information that can be used for identity theft, but social engineering has also become one of the most common ways for attackers to breach an organization’s initial defenses in order to cause further disruption and harm.

What Is the Process of Social Engineering?

The majority of attacks rely on direct communication between the attackers and the victims. Rather than using brute force methods to breach your data, the attacker will usually try to persuade the user to compromise themselves.

The attack cycle provides these criminals with a consistent method of deceiving you. The following are typical steps in the social engineering attack cycle:

Prepare by gathering background information on yourself or a larger group in which you are involved.
Infiltrate by forming a relationship or initiating an interaction that begins with trust.
To advance the attack, exploit the victim once trust and weakness have been established.
Once the user has completed the desired action, disconnect.

Social engineering prevention

Being alert can help you protect yourself from the majority of social engineering attacks that occur in the digital realm.

Furthermore, the following pointers can help you increase your vigilance in relation to social engineering hacks.

Do not open emails or attachments from unknown senders – You are not required to respond to an email if you do not know the sender. Even if you know them and are skeptical of their message, double-check and confirm the information from other sources, such as by phone or directly from a service provider’s website. Remember that email addresses are constantly spoofing; even an email purportedly from a trusted source could have been initiated by an attacker.
Use multifactor authentication – User credentials are one of the most valuable pieces of information that attackers seek. Using multifactor authentication helps to protect your account in the event of a system compromise.
Be wary of enticing offers – If an offer sounds too good to be true, think twice before accepting it. You can quickly determine whether you’re dealing with a legitimate offer or a trap by Googling the topic.
Update your antivirus/antimalware software – Check for automatic updates, or make it a habit to download the most recent signatures first thing each day. Check to ensure that the updates have been applied on a regular basis, and scan your system for potential infections.