As we continue through Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Vijilan Security’s third tip focuses on a type of attack that targets the most vulnerable part of any security system—human trust. Social engineering and impersonation scams are methods attackers use to manipulate individuals into giving up sensitive information or access to systems, often by pretending to be someone trustworthy.
In this blog, we’ll explore common social engineering tactics, including real-life examples, and share tips to help you recognize and avoid these dangerous manipulations.
What is Social Engineering?
Social engineering is a cyberattack strategy that relies on human interaction to deceive people into breaking normal security protocols. Instead of hacking systems directly, social engineers manipulate their victims emotionally—through trust, fear, or urgency—to trick them into handing over confidential information, such as login credentials, bank details, or sensitive company data.
These attacks are highly effective because they exploit natural human tendencies to trust and help others. Even the most tech-savvy individuals can fall victim to social engineering scams if they aren’t aware of the warning signs.
Common Social Engineering Tactics
Social engineering can take many forms, but the goal is always the same: to manipulate the target into revealing sensitive information. Below are some of the most common tactics used by cybercriminals.
1. Pretexting
Pretexting occurs when an attacker fabricates a believable scenario to convince the target to share sensitive information or grant access to systems. The attacker usually pretends to be someone in authority or someone the victim knows, such as a company executive, a trusted colleague, or even a government official.
- Example: An attacker poses as an IT department representative, calling an employee and claiming they need to verify login credentials to fix a technical issue. Believing the call is legitimate, the employee provides their username and password.
2. Impersonation Scams
Impersonation involves an attacker pretending to be someone they are not, often through email, phone calls, or social media. These scams can range from fake tech support calls to more elaborate schemes where the attacker poses as a CEO or financial manager (CEO fraud) to convince employees to transfer funds or share sensitive business information.
- Example: In a common “CEO scam,” an attacker sends an urgent email to a finance department employee, impersonating the company’s CEO. The message demands an immediate wire transfer to a foreign bank account for a supposed business transaction. Pressured by the urgency and authority of the request, the employee may comply without verification.
3. Baiting
Baiting uses enticing offers or “bait” to trick individuals into giving away personal or confidential information. This could be a free download, a job offer, or even physical bait, such as a USB drive labeled “Confidential” left in a public place.
- Example: A USB drive labeled “Confidential Payroll Data” is left in an office parking lot. Curious, an employee plugs the drive into their computer, unknowingly installing malware that compromises the company’s network.
4. Phishing
While phishing can be a broader category, it’s still a key social engineering technique. Attackers send fraudulent emails or messages designed to trick people into revealing personal information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading harmful attachments.
- Example: An email claiming to be from a bank asks the recipient to verify their account details by clicking on a link. The link directs them to a fake website where the victim unknowingly enters their login credentials, which are then stolen by the attacker.
Real-Life Example of Social Engineering
In 2016, a major European energy company was scammed out of €220,000 when a cybercriminal impersonated the CEO of their parent company. The scammer used AI-powered software to mimic the CEO’s voice and instructed a senior executive to wire the funds to a foreign bank account for a fictitious deal. Believing they were acting under legitimate orders, the executive complied, making it one of the most notable impersonation scams in recent history.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Social Engineering Attacks
Awareness and vigilance are your best defenses against social engineering and impersonation scams. Here are some key strategies to help you stay secure:
1. Verify Identities
Never take any request for sensitive information at face value, even if it appears to come from someone you trust or someone in authority. Always verify the identity of the person making the request:
- Use known contact methods (like calling a known phone number or using an official email) to confirm the legitimacy of the request.
- Be especially cautious with urgent requests for financial transactions or sensitive information, even if they appear to come from high-ranking officials.
2. Question Unusual Requests
If something feels off, it probably is. Always ask yourself:
- Is this a usual request? Is it common practice to send this information via email or phone?
- Does the person making the request normally handle this kind of transaction?
- Is there a rush to complete the action, and why?
3. Be Wary of Unexpected Communications
Whether it’s an unsolicited email, phone call, or social media message, be cautious of unexpected communications asking for personal details or sensitive information. Legitimate companies or colleagues rarely request confidential information without prior communication or protocol.
4. Train Employees to Recognize Social Engineering
In business environments, staff should be educated about the risks of social engineering and impersonation scams. Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training that covers:
- How to spot suspicious emails, calls, and messages.
- Reporting procedures for potential social engineering attacks.
- Verification protocols for sensitive transactions.
5. Use Strong Security Protocols
Enforce strong security measures to limit the risk of a successful social engineering attack:
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security when logging into accounts.
- Establish clear company policies for verifying financial transactions or access requests.
- Regularly update passwords and limit the sharing of confidential information.
6. Report Suspicious Activity
If you suspect a social engineering attempt, report it immediately to your IT or security team. Even if you didn’t fall for the scam, reporting the attempt helps others stay alert and strengthens overall security protocols.
Conclusion: Stay Alert and Stay Protected
Social engineering and impersonation scams prey on human nature—trust, helpfulness, and the desire to follow authority. By understanding these tactics and taking steps to verify requests and question unusual communications, you can protect yourself and your business from falling victim to these types of attacks.
At Vijilan Security, we are dedicated to providing practical cybersecurity tips throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month to help you stay safe in an increasingly dangerous online world. Follow us for more expert advice and learn how to keep your data secure.
For more tips on safeguarding your business from cyber threats, visit our website and explore additional resources designed to bolster your cybersecurity strategy.
Stay tuned for next week’s cybersecurity tip!
