Cybercriminals use such techniques to obtain private information from unsuspecting users. The approach may be different, but the goal remains the same. Social engineering attacks are increasing every year and reportedly account for 20% of all online attacks in 2022.
Take this blog as an education course on identifying the various types of social engineering attacks and how you can mitigate them.
Types of Social Engineering Attacks
Social engineering attacks can be performed in various types. Here are some of the common types:
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks are done using fraudulent emails, websites, or any other communication channel that appears to be a legitimate source. The purpose of a phishing attack is to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.
These attacks can have severe consequences in terms of financial loss, identity theft, and data breaches.
Spam Phishing
Spam phishing is done by using instant messaging & tricking masses into their phishing scam. It is also known as “mass phishing.” These messages often seem legitimate, but they contain fake links or attachments that can infect your computer with malware or help hackers steal your credentials.
Spear Phishing
Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing in which cybercriminals send tailored emails to individuals or organizations. These attempts are usually designed to attack high-value victims such as celebrities, upper-level management, and government authorities.
Voice Phishing (Vishing)
Voice Phishing involves using phone calls to trick individuals into revealing their personal information or transferring funds. These attacks can also lead to identity theft, financial loss, and other serious consequences.
SMS phishing (Smishing)
In this type of cyber attack, hackers usually target mobile phone users via text messages. Smishing contains a fraudulent link or request for personal information, which can lead to identity theft or financial loss.
Email Phishing
It is known as a traditional means of cyber-attack in which attackers send fake emails to deceive recipients and manipulate them to share sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data in response to an attempt.
Phishing emails often contain links or attachments that, when clicked or opened, can infect computers with malware.
Angler Phishing
Angler phishing uses advanced tactics to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. It sometimes persuades them to click on a link that contains malware. Angler Phishing typically involves web links, phone numbers, or malware attachments to get into victims’ confidential data.
Search Engine Phishing
In search engine phishing, the scammer places a link to a fake website or sometimes they even place a link in a paid ad using legitimate optimization methods. When a user clicks on that link, they secretly install spyware and get access to your personal information.
URL Phishing
In URL phishing, the attacker creates a fake website or email that looks identical to a legitimate one, with the goal of tricking the victim into inserting sensitive information such as login credentials or personal data. It is a common tactic used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to valuable information.
How To Prevent Social Engineering Attacks
Here are some tips that will help you prevent social engineering attacks:
Educate Yourself and Your Employees
In order to prevent social engineering attacks, you need to educate yourself and your employees about the types of attacks and how they work. Hence, you need to train them to recognize phishing emails, phone scams, and other forms of social engineering and how to respond to these attacks.
Use Strong Passwords
One of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to gain access to sensitive information is through weak passwords. To prevent this, make sure that you and your employees are using strong, complex passwords that are difficult to guess. You can use a password generator to make solid and complicated passwords.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security. It requires users to provide two forms of identification, such as a password or a code sent to their phone. Enabling two-factor authentication can significantly reduce the risk of social engineering attacks.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security. It requires users to provide two forms of identification, such as a password or a code sent to their phone. Enabling two-factor authentication can significantly reduce the risk of social engineering attacks.
Keep Software Up-to-Date
Make sure your software is up to date! Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in software to gain access to systems and networks. Hence, updating software can reduce the risk of these vulnerabilities being exploited.
Monitor Your Accounts
Regularly monitoring your account for suspicious activity can help in keeping an eye on social engineering attacks. This can include reviewing account statements, monitoring credit reports, and keeping an eye out for unusual activity on social media and other online accounts.
Using Antivirus Software
Antivirus software can help detect and remove malware that can be used in social engineering attacks. It’s important to run regular scans to ensure your system is malware-free.
Conclusion
The human element is often the weakest link in your protection against social engineering attacks. As a business with various employees, cybersecurity training will go a long way. Employees need to be taught how to recognize phishing attempts. Only then can we have a reasonable amount of protection against external attacks.
Lastly, always keep your operating system and applications updated; they often contain patches for existing security vulnerabilities.
