The Many Forms of Social Engineering

man on phone

Social engineering is the process of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. Social engineers use a variety of techniques to achieve their goals but mainly rely on human psychology to exploit vulnerabilities in people's behavior. Therefore, individuals and organizations need to be aware of the most common social engineering

In this article, we'll look into what social engineering is, which scams are commonly used, and how to keep yourself safe from becoming a victim.

What is social engineering and how does it work?

Social engineering is a technique used to exploit human vulnerabilities in order to obtain information illegally or to perform other malicious actions. Social engineering scams often rely on phishing emails, in which the attacker tries to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information such as passwords or bank account numbers. Social engineering can also involve tricks such as pretending to be a technical support representative over the phone, through text messages, or in person in order to convince the victim to install malware on their computer.

It can be very successful because it exploits human tendencies such as curiosity, trust, and politeness. Attackers often use social engineering scams to target large groups of people, because even a small percentage of successful scams can result in a large payoff. Social engineering is also becoming more common because it is often easier and more effective than trying to break into a computer system by hacking it.

Social engineering attacks can be difficult to defend against because they exploit human weaknesses rather than technical vulnerabilities. However, by knowing what to look for, you can be better prepared to avoid becoming a victim.

The most common social engineering scams

Social engineering scams are one of the most common scams that hackers try to gain access to your information. There are many different types of social engineering scams, so here are some of the most common types of attacks:

Spear Phishing

This is a method hackers use to target a specific individual or group. Because they rely on your habits and interests to bait you in, they can make the email they send seem more convincing by focusing their assault on one person or a similar group. They usually try to obtain sensitive information such as company secrets or bank data rather than malware, however, use of malware does happen in spear phishing attacks.

Fake websites

These are websites that look like real websites but are actually created by hackers in order to steal your information. The website may ask you to enter your login credentials, or it may install malware on your computer.

CEO Fraud

Many hackers will find the CEO's information online and use that as a cover to send malicious emails asking for company records or other sensitive material. This can be especially effective since many people do not want to upset their boss or the head of the company they work for.

Phone Calls

These scams are when someone calls you and tries to scam you into giving them your personal information. They may try to get you to give them your credit card number or social security number. They may also try to get you to install malware on your computer. They can be very persistent and try to use emotion and scare tactics to get you to do what they want.

Shoulder Surfing

Hackers can also gain your login information by looking over your shoulder, which as well as being impolite, is a gross violation of personal space. Once they have that info, they could get into all sorts of networks or force you to give them what they want.

Social Media

Hackers will oftentimes pose as someone you trust, whether that be a celebrity, friend, or family member. They can do this by easily accessing your social media profiles and studying your contact list or patterns. By using the trust you have for them, they're able to get you to click on a link or open an infected video which then infects your device.

Tailgating

Many, if not all, cyber criminals or computer hackers still use traditional methods to obtain access to information, despite the fact that this is not what springs to mind when you think of hackers. If it works for them, they'll do it, and one of them is this incredibly basic approach of waiting outside a building until an opportunity arises to get in without having the required credentials.

Once they're in, they've crossed the first and often most significant line of defense against hackers. All they have to do now is find a location where they can begin computer hacking to gain access to a mountain of data.

If you think you may have been a victim of a social engineering scam, change your passwords and run a malware scan on your computer and devices.

How to protect yourself from social engineering attacks

Social engineering attacks are one of the most common ways for cybercriminals to gain access to your personal information. These attacks can be very sophisticated and difficult to detect, but there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

First, be suspicious of any unsolicited email from unknown email addresses or phone calls asking for personal information. Don't respond to emails asking for passwords or social security numbers, and don't give out your personal information over the phone unless you are absolutely sure who you are talking to.

Second, make sure you are using the best computer security techniques available. Make sure your computer and devices are properly protected with antivirus software and a firewall. Keep your software up to date, and be suspicious of any pop-ups or websites that ask you to download software or update your Flash player. Likewise, protect your screen when out in public by using specific settings on your phone or covering up the screen when entering passwords or sensitive information.

Finally, be careful about what information you post online. Don't post your social security number, address, or other personal information on social media sites or blogs. Cybercriminals can use this information to scam you or gain access to your accounts.

By following these simple tips, you can protect yourself from social engineering attacks. Stay safe online!

Social engineering takes on many different forms, all of which are aimed at manipulating people into taking an action that benefits the scammer. In order to protect yourself from social engineering scams, it’s important to be aware of what they are and how they work. You should also be cautious about any unsolicited contact from individuals or organizations you don’t know and never give out your personal information or passwords.

If you think you may have been a victim of social engineering, report it to authorities and the proper government agencies immediately, and if your business could use an upgrade to its cyber security with the help of a technology growth partner, consider contacting Ozark Technology today!


Ozark Technology is a Business Technology Provider that helps organizations across the country rethink the value technology brings to their business. Want to partner with us? Let’s chat.

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