When we consider network security for our organization, it's easy to get caught up in technicalities. After all, focusing on what you can control creates the illusion that you can control everything. We understand how to set up firewalls and antivirus software, as well as how to encrypt our communications. The issue is that security isn't only about technology; it's also about people. People can be your best security advocates as well as your weakest security links. Social engineering is one of the most subtle methods by which attackers exploit this vulnerability.
Social engineering is the skill of convincing someone to reveal personal information that they would otherwise keep private. It is a form of cyber-attack that employs human psychology rather than technical exploits. Phishing, pretexting, and baiting are three of the most popular types of social engineering attacks.
The most common type of social engineering is phishing. It entails sending an email, text message, or other messages that look to come from a reliable source, such as a bank or a social media site. The message usually includes a link that takes the recipient to a bogus website that is made to seem like the real thing. Once the victim submits their login credentials, the attacker has access to the victim's account.
We can all do our share to be safe in the constantly changing world of cybersecurity by being alert, keeping software up to date, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and staying updated on the most recent risks. Social Engineering is related to cybersecurity as when an attack occurs through social you need to take cybersecurity measures.
Similar to phishing, pretexting also entails fabricating a pretext to acquire the trust of the target. A hacker might adopt a false identity, such as a police officer or government figure, and ask the victim for their password while posing as a tech support agent. Some people have even impersonated close friends and business colleagues over the phone by using voice-altering technologies, asking the victim to click a link that has been sent to them. You'd probably pay attention if your CTO had called and said that he was going to email you a link to click on.
Another form of social engineering is baiting, in which the victim is drawn in with an alluring reward rather than being pushed with a pretense. An email telling you that you won something or got a "great deal" on something you wanted to buy.
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