Social engineering is a method used by cyber criminals to manipulate people into giving away sensitive information or access to computer systems.
It involves using psychological tactics to exploit the natural human tendency to trust and help others.
In simpler terms, social engineering is like tricking people into giving away information or access to their computer systems.
It’s a method used by cybercriminals to take advantage of human vulnerabilities and trust.
Social engineering attacks can take many forms, including phishing, pretexting, baiting, and quid pro quo.
- Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that involves sending an email or text message that appears to be from a trusted source, such as a bank or a colleague, to trick the recipient into clicking on a link or providing sensitive information.
- Pretexting involves creating a false sense of trust with the victim, such as pretending to be an IT professional or a customer service representative, to gain access to sensitive information.
- Baiting involves leaving tempting bait, such as a USB drive labeled with an intriguing title, in a public place to entice someone to pick it up and plug it into their computer, allowing the attacker to gain access to the computer.
- Quid pro quo involves offering something in exchange for sensitive information or access, such as a gift card or a job opportunity.
The success of social engineering attacks relies on the attacker’s ability to gain the victim’s trust and deceive them into divulging sensitive information or granting access to computer systems.
Social engineering attacks can be difficult to detect, as they often appear to be legitimate and rely on human emotions rather than technical vulnerabilities.
The best defence against social engineering attacks is education and awareness.
It’s important to be cautious and verify the authenticity of any communication or request for information, especially if it involves sensitive information or access to computer systems.
This can involve double-checking email addresses, phone numbers, or URLs, and being wary of unsolicited requests for information or offers that seem too good to be true.
Social engineering is a method used by cyber criminals to manipulate people into giving away sensitive information or access to computer systems.
It relies on human vulnerabilities and trust, and can take many forms, such as phishing, pretexting, baiting, and quid pro quo.
The best defense against social engineering attacks is education and awareness, as being cautious and verifying the authenticity of any communication or request for information.
By doing so, we can better protect ourselves and our sensitive information from cybercriminals.