Types of Cyberattacks: Part 8 - Social Engineering
Social engineering is a type of cyberattack that relies on human manipulation to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise their security. Social engineering attacks can be very effective, as they exploit our natural tendencies to trust others and be helpful.
There are many different types of social engineering attacks, but some of the most common include:
Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks involve sending fraudulent emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or credit card company. The goal is to trick the victim into clicking on a malicious link or opening an attachment, which will install malware on their computer or device.
Vishing attacks: Vishing attacks involve making fraudulent phone calls that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a government agency or tech support company. The goal is to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information, such as their Social Security number or credit card number.
Baiting attacks: Baiting attacks involve leaving physical objects, such as USB drives or CDs, in public places. The objects are often labeled in a way that makes them appear to be something valuable or useful, such as a "free tax refund" or a "lost password file." When the victim picks up the object and plugs it into their computer, it installs malware.
Quid pro quo attacks: Quid pro quo attacks involve offering the victim something in exchange for something else of value, such as information or access. For example, an attacker might offer to help the victim with a computer problem in exchange for their password.
How to protect yourself from social engineering attacks:
There are a number of things that you can do to protect yourself from social engineering attacks, including:
Be suspicious of any unsolicited emails, text messages, or phone calls.
Never click on links or open attachments in emails or text messages from unknown senders.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a legitimate organization, ask for their name and contact information and hang up. Then, call the organization back using a known phone number to verify the call.
Be careful about what physical objects you pick up and plug into your computer.
Never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number or credit card number, to someone you don't know and trust.
Examples of social engineering attacks:
Some notable examples of social engineering attacks include:
The 2016 DNC email hack: This attack was carried out by Russian hackers who used phishing emails to trick DNC employees into revealing their passwords. The attackers were then able to access the DNC's email servers and steal thousands of emails.
The 2017 Equifax data breach: This breach affected over 147 million people and was caused by a vulnerability in Equifax's website. The vulnerability was exploited by attackers who used it to gain access to Equifax's database of customer information.
The 2019 Twitter hack: This attack targeted the Twitter accounts of a number of high-profile individuals, including Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Barack Obama. The attackers were able to gain access to the accounts by tricking Twitter employees into revealing their passwords.
Social engineering attacks are a serious threat to individuals and organizations of all sizes. By being aware of the risks and taking steps to protect yourself, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Additional tips for protecting yourself from social engineering attacks:
Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all of your online accounts.
Keep your software up to date. Software developers regularly release security patches to fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by social engineering attackers.
Be careful about what information you share on social media. Social engineering attackers can use this information to target you with personalized attacks.
Be skeptical of unsolicited offers and promises. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from social engineering attacks.
