by Nazy Fouladirad, President and COO of Tevora.

All businesses need to consider some form of security planning to keep their assets and their employees safe. However, while some businesses may only worry about physical door locks or alarm systems, cybercrime is very different. In many cases, cybercriminals use human psychology as their weapon of choice.

One of the most common examples of this in practice is social engineering. Social engineering attacks are a collection of tactics used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into unwittingly giving up sensitive information. 

By understanding the mechanics of these attacks and implementing effective ways to counteract them, businesses and their employees can significantly lower their risks of attack.

Breaking Down How Cyber-Manipulation Works

Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in human behavior, including our natural curiosity, to their advantage. To do this, they use various psychological principles to catch their victims off guard. Some of these include:

  • Posing as Authority Figures – People generally learn to respect authority figures and adhere to rules and regulations. This ingrained behavior can be exploited by social engineers who impersonate these figures, leveraging the fear of repercussions to manipulate actions.

     

  • FOMO – The “fear of missing out” is a strong motivator. Most of the time, this is used in everyday business marketing campaigns, especially when it comes to impulse buys and when consumers want to capitalize on “limited-time offers.” Cybercriminals use this sense of urgency to persuade people to act without thinking, which can lead to potentially damaging choices made by individuals.
  • Feelings of Reciprocity – Reciprocity is a principle that many people feel is an obligation to return a favor for a favor. It’s a sense of indebtedness that many humans feel after being provided something by someone else. Social engineers can use this by first establishing a connection and offering a small token of goodwill, then leveraging that perceived obligation to influence certain behaviors.

Most Common Types of Social Engineering Attacks

Below are some common social engineering techniques used by cybercriminals today:

Baiting

Online scam artists will regularly use certain tactics designed to rush people into making hasty decisions. One common method is baiting, where targets are enticed with offers like limited-time deals or free giveaways.

The catch is that these seemingly generous digital “gifts” often contain malicious software. When an unsuspecting individual clicks a link or downloads a file, they may inadvertently download this dangerous malware, which can compromise their login details or even take control of their devices.

Quid Pro Quo

Reciprocity is a powerful human trait. It’s the idea that if someone does something for you, you feel obligated to return the favor. This principle, sometimes called “quid pro quo,” can be exploited in social engineering attacks. 

In these scenarios, the attacker might pretend to be a tech support agent, offering assistance for a computer issue or a supposed technical problem. Because the victim believes they are receiving assistance, they are often more willing to give up sensitive information or provide temporary access to their computer.

Pretexting

Social engineers often create fabricated stories to manipulate their targets. This tactic is known as pretexting, and its goal is to make the victim feel more comfortable about the other party, whether the interaction is initiated through a phone call or an email.

The length of time pretexting takes will depend on the attacker’s primary goals. It might involve repeat interactions to gradually extract data or a more immediate push from the attacker.

Strategies for Minimizing the Risks of Social Engineering

Social engineers are highly trained to influence people. However, you can take steps to safeguard yourself and your business. Here are some effective methods to help you spot and avoid these types of attacks:

Keep Your Guard Up

An important life lesson is recognizing that not all individuals are concerned about your safety. This doesn’t mean you should never trust anyone, but instead, you should maintain a reasonable degree of cautiousness when interacting with unknown sources.

In the event you encounter any uninvited solicitations or requests from an unknown party – regardless of who they claim to be – you should always keep your guard up. When uncertain about a source, avoid having direct communication. Instead, look up the company they’re supposedly from and initiate contact on your own through other verified contact sources.

Educate Yourself and Your Staff

A well-informed team is the strongest defense your business can have against social engineering. Regular cybersecurity training is a must for both you and your staff. By holding frequent training sessions that explain common security risks and protective measures, you’ll significantly improve your overall preparedness.

It’s important not to make your training simply a series of lectures. Interactive exercises can be far more engaging and effective. Many businesses have a lot of value from incorporating realistic simulations where employees can practice identifying and responding to threats according to established business protocols.

Training should also cover best practices for implementing security measures. For example, while AI tools can be good for cybersecurity, it’s also important to be aware of and adhere to any relevant ethical standards when using these tools.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi Whenever Possible

Public Wi-Fi networks can be risky. Many times, hackers create fake Wi-Fi hotspots that look like they belong to a legitimate business. These fake networks allow them to see what you’re doing online, including the websites you visit and even the different keys you press.

To improve your personal security, it’s best to stay off public Wi-Fi, particularly when handling any personal or financial information. If you need to access your bank account online, it’s safer to wait until you have a secure connection at home or use your cellular data instead.

Don’t Become Another Victim

Today, social engineering attacks are everywhere. To protect yourself and your business, you need to take a more proactive approach to cybersecurity. By implementing the strategies discussed, you’ll reduce your organization’s attack surface while also ensuring you meet important data security and compliance standards.

Author Bio

Nazy Fouladirad is President and COO of Tevora, a global leading cybersecurity consultancy. She has dedicated her career to creating a more secure business and online environment for organizations across the country and world. She is passionate about serving her community and acts as a board member for a local nonprofit organization.