Social engineering is a category of network threats that exploits human and manipulation to gain unauthorized access to or systems. These attacks rely on deceiving individuals or groups of people to reveal sensitive information, perform certain actions, or compromise security measures. Common social engineering network threats include , where attackers send deceptive emails or messages designed to trick recipients into revealing confidential information like login credentials.
Another type of social engineering is , a targeted form of phishing where attackers customize their messages for specific individuals or organizations. They often gather information to make their emails more convincing. Additionally, vishing, or voice phishing, involves attackers making calls to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information over the phone, such as credit card numbers or login credentials. Pretexting involves creating a fabricated to manipulate individuals into providing information or performing actions they wouldn't otherwise do.
To defend against social engineering attacks, user training is essential; educating users about various social engineering tactics and how to recognize and respond to suspicious requests can significantly reduce risk. Implementing advanced email and spam detection can help reduce phishing attempts, while enabling multi-factor (MFA) adds an extra layer of security. It's also crucial to establish strict access controls, limiting access to sensitive information only to authorized personnel. Developing and practicing incident response plans allows for swift action in the event of security breaches, and establishing verification protocols helps ensure individuals requesting sensitive information are properly .
