As Alexander Pope put it, to err is human—it’s in our nature. Unfortunately, there are people out there who capitalize on this vulnerability, especially in the cyber sphere. Human hacking has risen in the ranks of security threats by luring unsuspecting users into sharing confidential information and spreading malicious system infections. This is credited to the proliferation of scams built on social engineering, which focuses on human behavior.
While most cybercriminals count on the sophistication of their scams to weasel into systems, social engineering plays on people’s minds to get what they want. Unfortunately, this thinking works because of humans’ innate proclivity to be trustful and helpful. According to Dr. Robert Cialdini, there are six principles of influence and persuasion that social engineers prey on: Reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. Hackers then break down these psychological pillars.
Social engineering attacks feed off manipulation by understanding these principles in a way to deceive targets based on behavioral patterns. Above all, hackers aim to exploit knowledge gaps when it comes to leveraging technology. With future-forward companies adopting a plethora of platforms to run operations, many users are unaware of the threats that loom—or that their personal data holds valuable information that is detrimental in the wrong hands. So, how can we ensure that all stakeholders are equipped with the expertise needed to expel these attackers?
How Hackers Hook You In
Before the dawn of the digital age, criminals would exploit businesses in person—known as a confidence game. Today’s cybersecurity landscape has made it easier for attackers to gain access and infiltrate systems by obtaining sensitive data and taking destructive action. Social engineering occurs 90% of the time during cyberattacks and is most commonly used to break down security controls, like firewalls, Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), and endpoint detection. To get ahead of these threats, you first need to understand how these attackers operate.
1. Phishing
Enterprises on the precipice of innovation rely on email, phone, and SMS to communicate with and entice users to engage with them. Phishing, one of the most prevalent forms of cyber infiltration, targets these channels as a ploy for users to interact with malicious links, extract threatening files, or leak confidential data. Phishers use public resources, such as social media sites, to gather information that pertains to targets’ personal and work lives. This positions malicious actors to use confidential information against the victims through fake, yet oddly reliable messages. Attackers will create fraudulent websites mimicking reputable entities, such as associated banks or workplaces, then siphon private data like passwords and payment details.
Avoiding Phishing
Often, phishers try to forcibly encourage immediate action by creating a sense of urgency in emails. The hope is that targets will hurriedly read through the content without scrutiny and miss inconsistencies.
Phishers tend to use incorrect language or tone that doesn’t match that of the alleged sender and triggers suspicion. For example, a target may receive an email from a usually ‘colorful’ friend who now converses very rigidly and formally.
Grammatical errors and misspellings are a surefire sign of a phishing attack. Most organizations employ spell-checking software to revise client emails for outgoing communications, so these errors would indicate fraud.
2. Baiting
Scammers love making false promises to lure targets into sharing sensitive data or leaking malware into systems. This method of cyberattack is aptly known as baiting—whereby an attacker plays on temptation through ads or online promotions. When targets engage with these, malicious actors then steal their passwords in the hopes that they are the same ones used on other sites. Baiters can also physically attack infrastructure by leaving an infected flash drive in susceptible areas. Targets will then use the flash drive to find out who it belongs to, and inadvertently install malware.
Avoiding Baiting
Your company’s greatest line of defense is the power of knowledge. To successfully prevent an attack, your employees need to be equipped with the expertise to protect themselves. This is achieved through training and by keeping staff abreast with evolving malware trends and threats for better insight.
It’s incredibly important for employees to check external devices, like USB flash drives, for malware prior to using them. To do so, staff should be required to scan an external device for viruses first.
3. Diversion Theft
Originally as an offline manipulation tactic, con men would persuade delivery personnel to drop off packages to incorrect recipients. In the digital age, hackers use diversion theft to steal sensitive data by deceiving targets into sending it to the wrong recipients. This method uses spoofing, whereby cybercriminals mimic trusted sources using forged GPS locations and IP addresses. This then positions hackers to access systems and extort assets. For example, if you order a new phone, a hacker can deliver an infected product to both double the profit and spy on your private life.
Avoiding Diversion Theft
When employees receive an email, it’s essential to verify information with the proper authority prior to proceeding. This requires stringent confirmation from the courier, such as requesting ID proof or their organization’s contact information.
The essence of social engineering is to exploit human error. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure your teams are well-informed about the what’s and how’s of the hacker mindset through awareness campaigns.
Conclusion
In an era where human behavior and technology intertwine, advancing system security on a software basis isn’t the end of the line. The importance of empowering a well-informed workforce has skyrocketed and signifies a paradigm shift. As the business world evolves, organizations need to unlock innovative means to educate employees with the knowledge needed to diminish threats.
At the end of the day, we are only human—even the hackers. So, akin to cybercriminals prying on people’s vulnerabilities, workers themselves need to deeply understand how manipulative tactics, like phishing, baiting, and diversion theft, play against them. By fostering a culture of vigilance and continuous learning, your workplace can confidently man up against manipulation.
