Social Engineering: How Cybercriminals Exploit Human Psychology
Duncan van Essen
5/1/2023
Social engineering has long been the oldest trick in the book for cybercriminals. It capitalizes on human psychology to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or taking actions that compromise security. As social engineering tactics evolve, they pose significant threats to both businesses and individuals. In this blog post, we'll explore common social engineering techniques and provide tips to help you safeguard yourself against these cyber threats.
Phishing is the most prevalent form of social engineering. It typically involves cybercriminals sending deceptive emails or messages that appear to come from trusted sources. These communications often contain links, images, or attachments that, when clicked or downloaded, grant hackers unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Let's take a look at 2 of the most common methods to exploit the human psyche
Reciprocity: Exploiting the Sense of Obligation
Reciprocity is a powerful social engineering technique that leverages the victim's sense of indebtedness. Cybercriminals offer a gift or free service in exchange for personal information, making the victim feel obligated to reciprocate. For instance, an email might promise a prize in exchange for the user's personal details, ranging from their email address to sensitive banking information.
Pretexting: Gaining Trust Through False Authority
Pretexting involves building a false sense of trust based on perceived authority. Cybercriminals impersonate someone in a position of authority to manipulate their targets into divulging sensitive information or taking certain actions. For example, an attacker might contact a company's IT department, pretending to have lost their password. The IT staff, believing the caller to be genuine, may reset the password, inadvertently granting the attacker access to sensitive data.
To protect yourself against pretexting, exercise caution when someone requests sensitive information. Verify their identity by asking questions that only the actual person you believe you're speaking with would know the answers to.
Staying Ahead of Social Engineering Threats
As cybercriminals continually devise new social engineering tactics, it's essential to remain vigilant and informed about potential threats. To minimize your risk of falling victim to these attacks, always be cautious of emails, messages, and other communications from unverified sources. Verify the identities of those you're communicating with, and never share sensitive information without first confirming the legitimacy of the request.
By staying aware of social engineering techniques and adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, you can safeguard your personal and professional information against potential cyber threats.
About Soul:
Soul revolutionizes digital identity verification by harnessing the power of blockchain technology, providing a secure, innovative, and efficient solution to combat identity theft, fraud, misinformation, and regulatory compliance. With a user-friendly mobile app and seamless integration with the Solana Blockchain, Soul empowers users to prove their identity and inspire trust online. The company is dedicated to creating a more secure digital world with its innovative blockchain-based identity protocol.
