You may be asking, what are social engineering attacks? Well, they aren’t something you’ll find in the latest thriller film. (Although if they were, we could at least cover our eyes during the scary parts.) Unfortunately, these types of cyber attacks are a reality of the innovative digital era, and that is about as scary and dangerous as it gets.

Let’s pull back the curtain on the world of cyber “con artistry” and discuss some handy hints on how to spot, stop and sidestep social engineering attacks.

What Is Social Engineering?

Let’s take a moment to decode this enigmatic term. Some might think it involves engineers “socially gathering” to chat about the latest in digital technology, right? In reality, it’s a fancy term for manipulative tactics used by cyber scoundrels (and others) to trick innocent internet users (like yourself) into revealing sensitive information. And no, these aren’t the charming pickpockets we see in the movies. These are digital grifters lurking on the other side of their screens, anxiously waiting to put the moves on your data.

Picture this: You’re at your favorite coffee shop and unsuspectingly, you connect to their free Wi-Fi. The next thing you know, BOOM! Your data is gone faster than your latte. This is a very unfortunate reality of cyber attacks and a small glimpse into the twisted maze of social engineering.

What Are the Different Types of Social Engineering Attacks?

You might be thinking, “Surely, not all attacks are as scary as that faux Wi-Fi scenario, right?” Wrong. Let’s look at some of the most popular forms of social engineering attacks:

Phishing

The classic bait-and-switch. You receive an email, seemingly from your bank or your boss, asking for some sensitive info. You panic, reply hastily and wham, the bad guys have your data. According to an Astra security audit, 36 percent of all data breaches involved a phishing attack in 2022, and an estimated 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily. That’s quite the haul for one day of phishing!

Baiting

Here, our cyber con artist dangles an irresistible carrot: like a free Amazon gift card. Once you take the bait, they’ve got you. Baiting is a form of social engineering in which an attacker lures a victim (you) with a false promise that appeals to greed or curiosity. For example, a USB drive carrying a malicious payload may “accidentally” be left in a lobby or a parking lot. In reality, the attacker hopes someone’s curiosity (yours) will lead them to plug the USB drive into a device, at which point the malware it carries can be installed. (Cue the Doomsday music.) 

Pretexting

This involves the attacker creating a fabricated scenario (the pretext), such as pretending to be an IT support person with the intention of asking for and, well, simply stealing your data.

Quid Pro Quo

Quid pro quo scams target both individuals and businesses. It starts off as a seemingly innocent exchange: The attacker usually claims to provide a service in return for something seemingly inconsequential to the target. For example, a quid pro quo attack in a business environment may offer a fix for computer problems in exchange for a password.

Tailgating

Before all you football fans get too excited, this is usually something that happens in corporate environments. An unauthorized person might physically follow an authorized person into a restricted area. And yeah, it’s totally understandable to think something like this only happens in the movies. Unfortunately, it happens way more often than you might think. According to a report generated by Globe NewsWire in 2021, the tailgating detection system market is expected to skyrocket from $63.5 million to $99.5 million by 2028. Pretty scary stuff, right?

How Can You Dodge These Types of Digital Deception?

The big question now is, “Okay, so if these social engineering attacks are really as scary as they sound, how do I avoid them?” Fear not! At Afidence, our team of cybersecurity consultants remains ever vigilant to protect your data with some handy tips to help you beat those social engineering attacks:

1. Stay informed: It’s important to understand the common types of social engineering attacks. If you know what you’re up against, you’re less likely to fall for it. Knowledge is our greatest weapon, so keep learning.
2. Think before you click: If an email looks fishy (phishy?), it probably is. Make it a rule not to click on any links or download any attachments from an unfamiliar source. Trust your instincts and your training.
3. Guard your personal info: If you get a call from “tech support” asking for your password, don’t give it out. Legitimate companies will never ask for your password over the phone or via email.
4. Use multi-factor authentication: This is like a fortress for your online accounts. It’s one extra step for you but one giant leap for cyber safety.
5. Install and update antivirus software: If you think of social engineering attacks as pests, then antivirus software is your pest control (should they be successful). Make sure it’s up to date for the best protection.
6. Be careful with freebies: Free stuff is always nice, but remember what our parents said about taking candy from strangers? If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The world of social engineering attacks may seem as convoluted and scary as a haunted maze. Still, with a little cyber crime awareness, you can navigate it like a pro. With these tips in your cybersecurity toolkit, you’re ready to face the tricks of the trade head-on. And remember, the key to avoiding these attacks is staying vigilant and always, always questioning anything that seems suspicious.

Let’s keep our digital world safe and secure. Contact us today so we can help ensure you stay sharp, stay safe and stay skeptical.