social engineering
“Social engineering” has become something of a buzzword in recent years, thanks in part to high-profile data breaches that have been linked to the practice. But what is social engineering, exactly?
At its core, social engineering is a type of deception used by attackers to trick people into divulging information or performing actions that can help them gain access to systems or data. By leveraging human emotions like trust, fear, or curiosity, social engineers can bypass security measures and exploit vulnerabilities that would otherwise be difficult to exploit.
While social engineering can take many forms, there are a few common tactics that are frequently used by attackers. One of the most common is phishing, which involves sending emails or other messages that appear to be from a trusted source in an attempt to get the recipient to click on a malicious link or attachment.
Another common tactic is called pretexting, which involves creating a false scenario in order to obtain information or access to systems. For example, an attacker might pose as a customer service representative and call someone to ask for their password or Social Security number.
Social engineering attacks can be difficult to defend against because they exploit the human element of security. The best way to protect against social engineering attacks is to raise awareness and educate employees about the dangers of clicking on links from unknown sources, responding to emails or calls from unfamiliar numbers, and giving out personal information.
In addition to awareness training, organizations can also implement technical safeguards like email filtering and two-factor authentication to help protect against social engineering attacks..Reference
phishing
Phishing is a term used to describe a type of fraud that involves trying to trick someone into giving away personal or sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy source. Phishing can happen through email, social media, text messages, or even phone calls. It’s becoming increasingly common, and it’s important to be aware of the warning signs so you can protect yourself.
One of the most common types of phishing is email phishing, where attackers send emails that look like they’re from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a credit card company. They may even use the same logo or branding. The email will typically ask you to click on a link or an attachment, which will then take you to a fake website that looks real. The goal is to get you to enter personal information, such as your login credentials, credit card number, or Social Security number.
Phishing can also happen through social media. Attackers may create fake social media profiles or posts that look like they’re from a trusted source. They may even hack into a legitimate account and then send out phishing messages to that person’s friends or followers. The goal is the same: to get you to click on a link or attachment that will take you to a fake website and get you to enter personal information.
Text messages are another common way for phishers to reach their victims. These texts, which are also known as “smishing” attacks, may look like they’re from a legitimate source, such as your bank. They may even use the same logo or branding. The text will typically ask you to click on a link, which will then take you to a fake website that looks real. The goal is to get you to enter personal information, such as your login credentials, credit card number, or Social Security number.
Phishing attacks can also happen over the phone. These are known as “vishing” attacks. The caller may pretend to be from a legitimate organization, such as your bank. They may even use the same logo or branding. The caller will typically try to get you to reveal personal information, such as your login credentials, credit card number, or Social Security number. They may also try to get you to download a malicious attachment or click on a link that will take you to a fake website.
Phishing is a serious threat, and it’s only getting more common. It’s important to be aware of the warning signs so you can protect yourself. If you receive an email, text, or call from a trusted source that asks you to click on a link or attachment or to enter personal information, be very careful. If you’re not sure whether the communication is legitimate, contact the organization directly to verify. And never click on a link or attachment from a source you don’t trust.
Phishing is a serious threat, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Be aware of the warning signs, and never click on a link or attachment from a source you don’t trust. If you think you may have been a victim of phishing, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about most dangerous computer virus in the world. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.