In today's world, where technology has become an integral part of our lives, the importance of cybersecurity has never been greater. However, as much as we rely on technology to protect us, it's important to remember that humans are still the weakest link in the security chain. Attackers have realized this and are now using social engineering tactics to manipulate and deceive individuals into giving away sensitive information or performing actions that can lead to security breaches. These attacks can have serious consequences for both individuals and organizations, making it critical to understand how they work and how to protect ourselves against them. In this article, we will delve into the world of social engineering, exploring its various forms, its impact on cybersecurity, and ways to defend against it.

What is Social Engineering?

Social Engineering is a manipulation technique used by cyber criminals to exploit human error to gain sensitive information, access, or valuables.

Social engineering attacks are in various forms, with different targets and modes of exploitation. It is “engineering” because it is premeditated and calculated. Starting with information gathering, building trust, and perpetrating the exploit.

According to IBM's cost of a data breach in 2021 report, data breaches caused by social engineering attacks cost companies USD 4.47 million on average

Types of Social Engineering Attacks

•Phishing

Phishing is a form of social engineering that involves the use of deceptive tactics to trick individuals into divulging sensitive or confidential information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal data. This is typically done through the use of fraudulent emails, messages, or websites that are designed to look like they are from a legitimate source. There are several forms of phishing, including:

Smishing: A phishing message delivered over SMS.

Vishing: Phishing over voice calls, e.g. a person who claims to be from your bank and asks for sensitive data.

Spear-Phishing: A targeted form of phishing- enough information is gathered about a specific individual for malicious intent.

Whaling: A spear-phishing attack on an organization's high-level employee and executive, e.g. a CEO.

• Pretexting Attacks

Pretexting attacks involve an attacker posing as someone else to gain access to sensitive information. This type of attack often involves a phone call or in-person interaction, where the attacker pretends to be someone in authority, such as a government official or IT support personnel. The attacker then asks the victim for sensitive information, such as passwords or account numbers, under the pretext of helping them with an urgent issue.

• Baiting

Using an irresistible offer to pique the interest of victims, luring them into giving out sensitive data. Enticing ads that lead to malicious websites: a pop-up claiming you’ve won an iPhone and whatnot is a common luring tactic.

• Scareware

False alarms and bogus threats are sent to victims to trigger fear which leads to mistakes such as clicking on a malicious link or installing malware masquerading as a legitimate application.

Social engineering attacks can be difficult to detect, but there are some steps you can take to prevent yourself from falling victim to these types of scams. Here are a few tips:

1. Beware of offers that are ‘too good to be true’.

2. Don’t click on links or download attachments in suspicious emails.

3. Never give away sensitive information over texts, calls, or emails.

4. Using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication where possible adds an extra layer of security.

In conclusion, Social engineering is a tactic that is becoming increasingly prevalent, organizations and individuals need to be aware of this tactic and take proactive measures to protect against social engineering.

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.