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 or compromise security measures. Common social engineering network threats include phishing, where attackers send deceptive emails or messages designed to trick recipients into revealing confidential information like login credentials or financial details.
Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing where attackers customize their messages for specific or organizations, often gathering personal information to make the emails more convincing. Another tactic is vishing, which involves attackers making phone calls to trick individuals into revealing sensitive over the phone, such as credit card numbers. Pretexting is a method that involves creating a fabricated scenario to manipulate individuals into providing information or performing actions they wouldn't otherwise do. Baiting attacks offer something enticing, like a free download, to lure victims into installing malware on their devices or revealing sensitive data.
To defend against social engineering attacks, user training is essential. Educating users about the various social engineering tactics and how to recognize and respond to requests can decrease vulnerability. Implementing advanced email filtering and spam detection helps reduce phishing attempts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of , while strict access controls limit access to sensitive information only to authorized personnel. Developing incident response plans is crucial for swiftly addressing security breaches and establishing verification protocols ensures the identity of individuals requesting sensitive information is confirmed.
Keywords
security | information | information | psychology | individuals | suspicious |
