Effective Strategies for Avoiding Common Social Engineering Tactics

Today’s cybercriminals operate on a completely different level from several years ago. With the development of new technologies and highly digitized environments, there are now even more opportunities for businesses to be exposed to various types of threats.

One of the most common strategies cybercriminals use is phishing, a type of social engineering. What makes this form of cyber manipulation so effective is its ability to exploit various elements of human psychology. By understanding what makes most people “tick,” cyber attackers can coerce individuals into knowingly or unknowingly passing on critical information that can be used to compromise user credentials and breach different systems and networks.

By recognizing how these tactics are performed and how to avoid them, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

The Psychology behind social engineering

While it can be unsettling to know, the reality is that cybercriminals know more about you than you think. This knowledge is less about the specific details of your life and more about how you’re likely to respond in certain situations. 

Human psychology is a significant factor in social engineering attacks. They’re designed specifically to exploit certain tendencies that all of us have when faced with certain situations - fear, curiosity, generosity, kindness. By understanding what drives each of these emotions, cybercriminals can design malicious campaigns aimed at extracting the most value out of these reactions.

Below are a few of the most common factors driving our emotions that impact our decision-making:

• Respect - Most individuals are conditioned from a young age to respect authority figures and follow certain rules and guidelines. Under the right circumstances, malicious individuals can exploit this by impersonating local authorities or government officials and agencies in hopes of getting quick responses from potential victims.
• Urgency - Fear of missing out, often referred to as “FOMO,” is a powerful psychological driver that’s even used by businesses when executing various sales and marketing initiatives. A good example of this at work is when you see “limited-time offers” that encourage you to purchase now and not wait. Cybercriminals can also leverage FOMO when sending clickbait for deals or promotions that actually redirect to harmful websites.
• Reciprocity  - Another fundamental element of human interaction is the inclination to return favors when others do something helpful for us. There is often a feeling of obligation that can be difficult to resist. Social engineers know this and work at building a rapport with their victims first, potentially offering something of value to increase the chances of having them let their guard down.

Common Social Engineering Tactics Used Today

Not all social engineering tactics are the same, and there is a wide range of ways cybercriminals try to manipulate their victims. Below are a few of the most common tactics used:

Baiting

Baiting is a common tactic used in social engineering that essentially promises something after taking a certain action, such as completing a survey or completing a series of steps. A primary example of this is when you’re offered a gift card to download and try out new software or provide personal details using a digital form. 

Many times, the opportunity to receive something for free leads individuals to relax and become more willing to click on malicious links or download files from unverified sources. 

Scareware

Scareware is another highly effective way to coerce individuals into purchasing unnecessary software to “protect” their systems and networks. These tactics are often used on less company-savvy individuals who, when receiving a “you have a virus on your computer” popup, are inclined to follow the instructions provided to correct the problem.

For example, attackers often use a series of fake pop-up messages or emails designed to look like an antivirus platform that has detected something malicious. In these situations, the victim is then prompted to purchase or upgrade their antivirus program to address the issues. However, when personal and financial information is provided during a credit card transaction, all of this information goes directly to the attacker.

Pretexting

A common element of social engineering is creating a deceptive narrative to deceive victims. This is known as pretexting, and it is used to help put an individual at ease when they receive an unsolicited phone call or email from an unknown sender.

In these situations, the attacker is trying to establish a report quickly while also proving the “legitimacy” of their claims. Depending on their goal, this type of social engineering could involve a long-term engagement to gain sensitive information over time or push an individual to take more urgent action. 

Effective strategies for avoiding social engineering attacks

Image Source: Pexels

Although social engineering attacks are becoming harder to spot due to advancements in AI technology and other malicious hacking tools, there are some proven strategies you can follow to significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming victimized.

Don’t be afraid to be skeptical

There is absolutely nothing wrong with maintaining a healthy level of skepticism day-to-day. Unfortunately, not everyone you meet has good intentions, and keeping your guard up both in-person and online is important.

When presented with a decision, whether over the phone or when receiving emails, carefully consider the motive of the source. While it’s unlikely that every one of these situations is harmful, having your guard up is a smart choice.

Think before you click

Harmful links are everywhere online and in your email inbox. Even the simple act of clicking on a link can cause irreparable damage to your computer, networks, or sensitive business databases. Before you or your employees click on any new links, take the time to assess this need.

In many cases the links included can be accessed directly from Google or when logging into your own user accounts. This is a safer and more secure way of navigating to the suggested link locations rather than clicking on them.

Safeguard your information

Whether you know it or not, every detail about yourself can compromise your own security or that of a business. This is why it’s important for you to never divulge too much personal information about yourself. This could be where you live, what your children’s names are, or even your likes and dislikes.

To help with this, avoid oversharing on social media or other online forums. For businesses, understanding and following certain data security and compliance standards will also help you protect your partners and clients. 

Use stronger passwords

Always use strong passwords when securing your online accounts. Although shorter passwords are easier to remember, they’re also much easier for hackers to extract using advanced tools.

Instead, be sure that all of your passwords are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. This can make it much more difficult for your credentials to become compromised.

Be wary of public Wif-Fi

Cyber attackers will often try to mimic legitimate businesses like coffee shops or restaurants to trick individuals into thinking they’re safely connecting to the internet. However, cybercriminals host their own “internet services” where they’re able to spy on devices connected, capturing the sites individuals visit and capturing their keystrokes.

Avoid using public wifi whenever possible, especially when using it to access sensitive information. If you need to do any online banking, it’s better to wait until you’re back to a secured internet connection or use your mobile data.

Invest in cybersecurity training

Knowledge is power when trying to avoid social engineering schemes. This is why it’s important to invest in regular cybersecurity training for you and your employees. Having regularly scheduled training sessions with the primary focus of breaking down the most common security threats and how to protect yourself from them greatly lowers your risk profile.

Training sessions don’t have to strictly be a one-way conversation. In many cases, it can be much more effective to create various exercises that employees can complete together. These exercises could include real-life simulations of potential social engineering emails and allow employees to test their ability to spot real from fake ones and follow certain predefined procedures.

Part of these training exercises should include certain best practices when adopting and implementing security protocols. For example, while AI tools can be a great addition to any cybersecurity initiative, it’s also important to consider certain compliance standards regarding their use. 

Trust your instincts

Unfortunately, the frequency and effectiveness of modern-day social engineering attacks is only continuing to increase each year. While there are many protective measures you can take, the reality is that fake emails are becoming harder to spot, and many individuals are regularly falling victim to them.

The most important thing you can do is to trust your instincts, especially when receiving emails or phone calls you weren’t expecting. In most cases, if something tells you that something looks or sounds off, it’s best to avoid them altogether, deleting the email in question or hanging up the phone.

Keep your business protected

With social engineering being a common tactic for cybercriminals, it’s important to take certain steps to protect your business. By following the strategies discussed, you’ll better prepare yourself and your employees for the dangers currently present and how to avoid them.

Article by Nazy Fouladirad:
Nazy Fouladirad is the President and COO of Tevora, a leading global cybersecurity consultancy. She has dedicated her career to creating a more secure business and online environment for organizations across the country and the world. She is passionate about serving her community and acts as a board member for a local nonprofit organization.

Subscribe to weekly updates

You’ll also receive some of our best posts today