Social engineering, the central theme of Cybermoi/s 2023, is a set of methods and tactics used by malicious actors to manipulate, influence or deceive people in order to obtain sensitive information, gain access to protected systems or carry out actions for the benefit of the attackers.
In an increasingly digitized world, social engineering is emerging as a silent but formidable threat to businesses. Far beyond simple viruses or malware, it targets the most vulnerable element of any organization: the human being. By exploiting our emotions, habits and trust, cybercriminals are able to steal valuable information. Understanding social engineering is essential to protect against these devious tactics, and to learn how to thwart them.
The main methods of social engineering attack
There are a variety of methods employed by cybercriminals that can result in major losses for businesses, asrecently proven by the ransomware attack on major Las Vegas casinos. That’s why it’s so important to understand social engineering and how best to protect against it.
Here are some of the most common attacks:
Phishing
This technique consists of sending an electronic message (e-mail, SMS), claiming to come from a reliable source, enticing the victim to divulge information such as logins or passwords. Phishing can also lead to counterfeit websites that harvest personal data or infect the computer with malware.
Identity theft
Attackers who have obtained information about a person may impersonate that person in order to obtain more information from other individuals or organizations, or to demand that actions be taken that further their interests. Impersonation often involves extensive research into the target’s habits, behavior and contacts.
Telephone phishing (vishing)
This method is based on telephone calls in which theattacker poses as a high-level employee or superior. In this way, the victim can be asked to perform a specific action, provide confidential data or transmit secure access in order to compromise internal systems.
Manipulating trust
Malicious actors sometimes manage to infiltrate social networks and professional forums to forge links with their targets. They can also create false identities and attractive profiles to gain the trust of individuals, and potentially obtain sensitive information by simple conversation.
Protecting your company against social engineering attacks
Employee awareness and training is the crucial first step in preventing this type of attack. Employees need to be aware of the risks, know how to detect warning signals and know the procedures to follow in the event of suspicion.
Establish IT security policies
Establishing clear rules for password management, access to sensitive resources, information sharing and internal communication will help protect your organization. Regular audits and monitoring of practices also help minimize risks.
Implement advanced security solutions
Effective tools and technologies to protect IT systems are essential. Anti-phishing devices, spam filters, firewalls and intrusion detection software all contribute to strengthening defense against social engineering attacks.
The importance of prevention in the fight against social engineering
Given the growing diversity and sophistication of the techniques employed by cybercriminals, it is essential to understand that prevention and training are the main keys to limiting the damaging consequences of social engineering attacks on businesses.
Establishing a strong IT security culture within organizations, and taking the human factor into account in policies and procedures relating to risk and cybersecurity management, are essential to anticipating and countering these increasingly insidious threats.
