Stay Ahead of the Latest Social Engineering Trends

Stay Ahead of the Latest Social Engineering Trends

Social engineering is a growing concern in the world of cybersecurity. This type of attack relies on human interaction to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or granting access to systems and data. It can come in various forms, from phishing emails to deceptive websites. Social engineering tactics can result in data loss, financial damage, and even reputational harm for unprepared companies.

However, companies can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to a social engineering attack by understanding the trends and incorporating robust cybersecurity measures into their overall strategy.

Below are some of the most popular social engineering attacks cybercriminals use today.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which an attacker poses as a trusted entity to trick victims into divulging sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information. Phishing attacks are typically carried out via email, although they can also occur through instant messaging and text messages.

One common type of phishing attack is spear phishing, in which attackers target a specific individual or organization with tailored messages that appear to come from a trusted source. Another popular type of phishing attack is called whaling, in which attackers go after high-value targets, such as executives or CEOs.

Phishing attacks can be difficult to detect, but some telltale signs, such as misspellings and grammatical errors, can tip you off that an email is not legitimate. Misspelled URLs or email addresses are another glaring sign.

Vishing

Vishing, or voice phishing, is another common social engineering attack. This type of attack typically involves a malicious actor calling an unsuspecting victim and posing as a representative from an organization, such as the IRS or a credit card company. The attacker will then attempt to gain sensitive information such as passwords or financial data by asking the victim to verify account details over the phone.

Due to the persuasive tactics of vishing attackers, this type of attack can be very effective, often resulting in the compromise of sensitive personal information or financial accounts.

Baiting

In a baiting attack, the attacker uses some form of lure to entice the victim into taking action, such as opening an email attachment or clicking on a link. Once the victim takes the bait, the attacker then has an opportunity to deliver malicious payloads or steal sensitive information.

An attacker may also leave behind a physical bait outside the digital space, such as a USB drive or a QR code, which they hope someone will use. Once the victim uses the USB drive or scans the QR code, their device becomes infected with malware, giving the attacker access to sensitive information.

Deepfake

As technology gets more sophisticated by the day, one of the most concerning and growing cyberattack trends is deepfake. This technology uses digitally altered audio or video to impersonate specific people with a near-perfect simulation. It is used primarily for entertainment, such as television and film, but it is increasingly used in cyberattacks against companies worldwide.

While many employees know how to spot a phishing email and when to report a suspicious phone call, that may not be the case if they think they’re communicating with someone they know—such as a CEO—in a phone call or video chat. This technique tricks an employee into transferring funds or offering sensitive information.

Next Steps

Social engineering is a serious threat to organizations of all sizes, and it’s essential to have a cybersecurity strategy in place to help mitigate your risk. If you want more information about cybersecurity solutions, please contact a member of our information security team. 


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Stay Ahead of the Latest Social Engineering Trendshttps://www.cbiz.com/Portals/0/Images/Hero-StayAhead.jpg?ver=ypso-p_EGyuPvAckU3GYwQ%3d%3dhttps://www.cbiz.com/Portals/0/Images/Thumbnail-StayAhead.jpg?ver=B41Y5iBX0AZgW7E8hfNbWg%3d%3dSocial engineering is a growing concern in the world of cybersecurity. This type of attack relies on human interaction to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or granting access to systems and data. 2022-05-24T17:00:00-05:00

Social engineering is a growing concern in the world of cybersecurity. This type of attack relies on human interaction to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or granting access to systems and data.

Risk MitigationCyber & Information SecurityYes