- Social Engineering
- What is social engineering?
- Social engineering is one method that combines human error which is called human hacking. Criminals use a similar strategy to obtain private data and access systems. It may also be used to steal information from other websites. Instead of using brute force attacks, the attackers will generally convince the victims into compromising by deceiving themselves by impersonating themselves. Humanity is guilty. It is arguably the biggest obstacle cybersecurity professionals are facing in the industry. Even with these incredibly advanced security measures, there are human comrades that can’t be trusted. Cyber actors exploit these vulnerabilities by manipulating individuals to access sensitive information. Even though we all get into a situation where we make errors, it may still be possible for us to stay on the sidelines to detect and eliminate the scammers. How can we prevent social engineers from becoming targets? Let me start with a basic concept of social engineering; it can help gain access to sensitive information without employing sophisticated hackers. Instead of exploiting system weaknesses, a hacker contacts a customer or sends phishing e-mails pretending to be legitimate sources. The term Social Engineering was coined by Kelvin Mitnick in the 1990s and has been described as one of the most widely known hackers in the world. Despite its existence, this idea is still prevalent for a long time.
- How does social engineering work?
- As with other cyber threats, social engineering attacks have different forms. Understanding how they perform can reduce the risk of accidents. Cyber actors trick people by locking doors or installing malicious files that could compromise your internet resources. The four steps to a successful social engineering attack depends upon the scale the social engineering attack can take—they could last several days. Despite this, it is incredibly important to understand social engineering strategies and their goals and strategies and how you can avoid them.
- How does social engineering affect organizations?
- A social hack could cause serious damage to organizations. Getting this information can ruin a reputation or damage a business relationship. Social engineering assaults are a major threat in many industries. As a result, identifying, stopping, and countering Social Engineering can be crucial for business continuity. Implementing strong security inbounds can help track user activity and suspicious websites, emails, and massive data transfers.
- What do social engineers want?
- So let us get deeper into social engineering and how to solve it. The hacker wants critical information to help identify individuals, gain financial, or otherwise gain a targeted target. Malware is commonly employed when hackers attempt to steal your information from another party.
- Types of social engineering attacks
- Phishing is the most commonly used form of social engineering where an attacker impersonates someone or something through phishing ip, email, web ads, or chatting. Bait attacks are designed to encourage e-mail addresses to be publicly revealed or to provide e-book access. Downloads may also contain harmful applications. A social engineering attack using tailgate principles requires the user to borrow a mobile device from the Internet and the attacker then installs malware on that device.
- What is the most common method of social engineering?
- Phishing is a common form of social engineering, which takes place via email, SMS messaging, and text messaging. Messages are often original and include copying material from trusted sites such as websites or blogs. Any message form may encourage individuals to use harmful links to get a message. These links can be disguised by using shorter URLs or by incorporating embedded links that redirect to an unauthorized site.
- Examples of social engineering
- Social engineering attack mainly combines the exploitation of emotions. Fear is a common example, which can include a message that someone is being investigated for owing taxes. Another human emotion is the desire for help, curiosity, and urgency. Typical ways are to get more information about how a person can receive a paycheck in full and use information that has been published.
- Is social engineering illegal?
- Social engineering is illegal and is an attempt at fraud. The penalties for being guilty include fines and prison sentences.
- Social engineering attack types
- Various social engineering methods are available in relation to the attacker’s target. To stop social engineer attacks, organizations have to know what they are doing and the way that they target.
- Email hacking
- Email hacking or email theft are cyberattacks aimed at hacking email addresses. The purpose of this hacking technique is for the hacker to use it. The attackers will e-mail you in a hacked manner. These are usually the starting points for impersonations and account reorganization.
- Tabnabbing/Reverse Tabnabbing
- Tabnabbing is an online manipulation technique by which the user manipulates the pages on their computer. This is a tool that redirects a website from a legitimate website to an illegitimate website. Often social engineering tactics trick users into entering their credentials.
- Access Tailgating
- Access tailgated is a strategy used by attackers for gaining access into buildings. Attackers may use various tactics to execute this attack.
- Scareware
- The Scareware program tries to lure computer users into a website. The attack can be taken by legitimate antivirus services that tell you that your computer has a virus infection. Users are scared that the company will be charged for security issues.
- Spear-phishing
- In social engineering, spear-phishing attacks target individual companies. The hacker will spend extra time collecting data and identifying his targets to verify the fraud’s legitimacy. The ultimate purpose of this is the theft of confidential data.
- BEC (Business Email Compromise)
- Business email compromises are scammers using fake accounts to defraud the company. Those posing as trusted sources like CEO’s trick employees into making large transfers of sensitive data that will then serve them as targets for future attacks.
- Phishing
- Phishing is the biggest socially-engineered tactic used by an attacker. The hacker aims for information that may be of high value to its target audience by sending them the link via phishing emails in the hope that they may disclose it.
- Spam
- Spam is an unsatisfactory email that is used mainly for advertising purposes. However, cybercriminals can use it by sending fake links to sites. If the email is opened, it will infect our computer and cause ransomware.
- Angler Phishing
- Angler Phishing is a subset of the phishing technique targeted at Twitter accounts. In the case of Amazon, hackers stole credentials from customers who provided sensitive information such as credit card numbers.
- Pharming
- The pharming technique is combined with phish and agricultural techniques which redirect visitors on certain websites to fake malware versions. They want their login info pushed out to their account.
- Honey traps
- Honey trappings are scam tactics that use romantic relationships for financial gain. In most cases, this attack involves stealing people’s money and gaining or accessing confidential details.
- 419/Nigerian Prince/Advance Fee Scams
- The 419/Nigerian Prince or Advance-Fee scam is a phishing technique aimed at tricking victims. In exchange, attackers promise victims huge payouts or percentages of their own cash.
- Whaling/CEO Fraud
- Whaling and CEO fraud are attacks targeted by phishing attacks targeting top executives. An attacker could hack into an employee’s email requesting urgent transfer requests.
- Vishing
- Vishing uses a social engineering approach using voice communication. This technique may combine with social e-mail techniques enabling victims to call a number or disclose confidential data. Advanced phishing attacks are possible using Voiceover IP and radio communications services. VoIP makes it easy for caller identification to be spoofed and takes advantage of the public mistrust of the services available.
- Social Engineering Tactics to Watch For
- Various techniques for achieving a skeptical objective are used in social engineering. Identifying these methods is essential for protecting sensitive data. Always remember, that social engineering can happen through multiple sources such as email, text messages, and telephone calls. Take these steps to help ensure that you don’t become a victim: Authenticate, Authorize, Call Back, Don’t Be Pressures, Be Alert, Be Polite but Firm, and Report.
- General
- What is managed IT service?
- Managed IT Service is a remote service provider that remotely manages the IT demands of an organization. Many companies have a wide array of technical requirements for managing their IT services, such as specialized servers and network infrastructure. This requirement is subcontracted to integrated management services providers aimed at reducing setup costs while increasing performance. Services include data maintenance, updates & installation, network monitoring installations, maintenance of company app installations, helpdesk services, and system integration services. To learn more about managed IT services, click here.
- What is IT Service Management?
- ITSM enables companies to design, plan, manage and optimize information technology service providers for clients. It has the principal purpose of maintaining an IT Services Management structure to ensure the appropriate process or technology is used in meeting business objectives. ITSM comprises three sections: Service Strategy, Service Maintenance, and Service enhancement. Service strategy aims at describing all of the best services for businesses, while service maintenance focuses on identifying problems or incidents and reporting appropriately on the adaptability of services.
- What areIT Services in the Industry?
- IT services are essential to modern businesses. Whatever it is, technology is crucial. Typically, IT combines various disciplines and areas. At times these services are handled internally or by another company or third-party service providers. IT Services vary according to the company’s specific needs.
- What are the different types of IT services?
- IT Services are crucial to business growth. The purpose of cybersecurity is to provide sound protection protocols for computers and network equipment connected over the Internet and other networks. A heightened cybersecurity approach protects data security against malicious attackers. Cyber threats have various types that can damage a system or its sensitive data or can be accessed or deleted.
- How can I choose the best IT service provider?
- It’s essential that you research the best services provider and choose the ideal company. However, there is often a challenge in analyzing the abilities without identifying the best selection criteria to examine. As you look at IT service providers, think about these factors: price, services and features provided, communication, break-fix or proactive management, security, and regulations. To see our recommended checklist, click here.
- What is an IT solutions company?
- IT network solutions service focuses entirely on installing, managing and implementing the entire IT infrastructure of your company. In this way, IT support services can ensure that your business network remains in top-level condition.
- What is the difference between IT services and IT solutions?
- IT Services: Typically a company is using services internally while an IT firm manages the services remotely based on the client’s requirements and the business. Usually in an extended contract.
- IT Solutions: A company must find “solutions” for solving an issue. IT companies will implement the solutions for the problem. Typically under short-term contracts or projects.
- What are typical IT services?
- Common technology. IT Management Services. Cloud storage service. ISP. VoIP. IPv4 Protocol. Data recovery. Firewalls. Cyber security solutions. Office365/E-mail.
- What are examples of IT solutions?
- Cloud computing. Backup / Recover. Security of networks. Customer service. Managing the printing service. Computer training. Information technology consulting.
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