Social engineering is a category of network threats that exploits human and manipulation to gain unauthorized access to information or systems. These attacks rely on deceiving individuals or groups of people to reveal sensitive information, perform certain , or compromise security measures. Common social engineering network threats include phishing attacks, where attackers send deceptive emails or messages that appear legitimate but are designed to trick recipients into revealing confidential like login credentials or financial details.
One targeted form of phishing is called , where attackers customize their messages for specific individuals or organizations by gathering personal information to make the emails more convincing. Another tactic is , or voice phishing, which involves attackers making phone calls to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information over the phone. Pretexting is another method, involving creating a fabricated scenario to manipulate individuals into providing information or performing actions they wouldn't otherwise do. Additionally, attacks offer something enticing to lure victims into unwittingly installing malware or revealing sensitive data.
To defend against social engineering attacks, it is crucial to educate users about various social engineering tactics and how to recognize and respond to suspicious . Implementing advanced email filtering and spam detection can significantly reduce phishing attempts. Additionally, enabling (MFA) adds an extra layer of security, while strict access controls limit access to sensitive information only to authorized personnel. Establishing verification protocols is essential for confirming the identity of individuals requesting sensitive information or actions, and having incident plans in place allows for swift action in addressing security breaches.
