Phishing and social engineering are two closely related techniques used by cybercriminals to deceive individuals and organisations into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that can lead to financial loss or data breaches.
Common Tactics
- Phishing Emails: These emails often mimic legitimate organisations (e.g., banks, social media platforms) to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links or downloading attachments that contain malware.
- Spear Phishing: A more targeted form of phishing that uses personal information about the victim to make the emails appear more convincing.
- Smishing: Phishing attacks that use text messages as the attack vector.
- Vishing: Voice phishing attacks that use phone calls to trick victims into revealing sensitive information.
- Pretexting: Creating a false scenario or pretext to gain trust and manipulate victims into divulging information.
- Baiting: Offering something enticing (e.g., free gift, discount) to lure victims into clicking on malicious links or downloading malware.
- Quid Pro Quo: Offering something in exchange for something else, often with a hidden malicious request.
Prevention Strategies
- Be Skeptical: Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls, especially those asking for personal or financial information.
- Verify the Sender: Always verify the sender’s email address and phone number before responding or clicking on links.
- Do Not Open Attachments from Unknown Senders: Avoid opening attachments from unknown or suspicious senders.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible.
- Keep Software Updated: Keep your operating system, web browser, and other software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Be Cautious of Phishing Websites: Avoid clicking on links in emails or text messages. Instead, type the URL directly into your web browser.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest phishing and social engineering tactics and educate your employees about these threats.
- Use Security Tools: Employ security tools like antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems to protect your devices and networks.
By understanding common phishing and social engineering tactics and implementing effective prevention strategies, individuals and organisations can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to these attacks.
