What are Social Engineering Attacks?
Social engineering attacks are manipulative tactics used by threat actors to trick individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. These attacks exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities and are as old as time itself. The Trojan Horse (Greeks deception to infiltrate Troy) is a great example. Below are 10 common types of social engineering attacks with a brief example.
10 Common Types of Social Engineering Attacks
Phishing
Phishing is the most prevalent form of social engineering attack, and it is no surprise it is on top of the list. Threat actors send fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, social media platforms, or colleagues. The goal is to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or providing sensitive information.
-
- Example: An employee receives an email that looks like it’s from their company’s HR department, asking them to update their information by clicking on a link. The link leads to a fake website that captures their login credentials.
Spear Phishing
Social engineering attack spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing. Threat actors customize their messages based on information they have gathered about the victim, making the attack more convincing.
-
- Example: An executive receives an email that appears to be from a trusted business partner, requesting sensitive financial information. Moreover, the email includes specific details about recent business dealings, making it seem legitimate.
Pretexting
Pretexting is a social engineering attack that involves creating a fabricated scenario to obtain information from the victim. The threat actor often pretends to be someone in a position of authority or trust.
-
- Example: A threat actor calls an employee, pretending to be from the company’s HR department. Initially, they claim they need to verify the employee’s personal information for payroll purposes. Then they proceed to ask for their Social Security number and bank account details.
Baiting
Another social engineering attack is baiting. It involves enticing the victim with something appealing, such as free software, music, or a USB drive, to trick them into compromising their security.
-
- Example: An employee finds a USB drive labeled “Confidential” in the company parking lot. Curious, they plug it into their computer, unknowingly installing malware that gives the threat actor access to the company’s network.
Quid Pro Quo
Quid pro quo is a social engineering attack that involves offering a service or benefit in exchange for information or access. The threat actor pretends to provide help or support to the victim.
-
- Example: A threat actor calls an employee, claiming to be from the Managed Service Provider (MSP) support team. They offer to fix a non-existent issue with the employee’s computer in exchange for “other information”.
Tailgating
Tailgating, also known as piggybacking, involves a threat actor gaining physical access to a restricted area by following someone who has legitimate access.
-
- Example: A threat actor waits near the entrance of a secure building and follows an employee inside when they use their access card. The threat actor pretends to have forgotten their card and relies on the employee’s courtesy to gain entry.
Vishing
Another social engineering attack is voice phishing which involves using phone calls to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. Threat actors often use caller ID spoofing to make the call appear legitimate.
-
- Example: A threat actor calls the victim, posing as a representative from their bank. First, they claim there has been suspicious activity on the victim’s account. Then, they proceed to ask for the victim’s account number and PIN, supposedly to verify their identity.
Smishing
SMS phishing, involves sending fraudulent text messages to trick victims into clicking on malicious links or providing personal information.
-
- Example: A victim receives a text message claiming to be from their mobile service provider, stating that their account will be suspended unless they click on a link to verify their information. The link leads to a fake website that captures their login credentials.
Impersonation
Impersonation involves the threat actor pretending to be someone the victim trusts, such as a colleague, friend, or authority figure, to gain information or access.
-
- Example: A threat actor pretends to be a new employee and asks a colleague for access to the company’s internal systems, claiming they need it to complete their onboarding process.
Watering Hole Attack
In a watering hole attack, the threat actor targets a specific group by compromising a website or online resource that the group frequently visits. When members of the group visit the compromised site, they are infected with malware.
-
- Example: A threat actor identifies a website frequently visited by employees of a particular company. They compromise the site with malware, which infects the employees’ computers when they visit the site.
How To Prevent Social Engineering Attacks?
Preventing social engineering attacks requires a combination of awareness, training, and technical measures. Here are some strategies to protect against these attacks:
- Education and Training: Regularly educate employees about the different types of social engineering attacks and how to recognize them. Conduct simulated phishing exercises to test their awareness.
- Verification Procedures: Implement procedures for verifying the identity of individuals requesting sensitive information. For example, employees should verify requests for information or access through a separate communication channel.
- Access Controls: Limit access to sensitive information and systems based on the principle of least privilege. Ensure that employees only have access to the information and systems necessary for their job roles.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use MFA to add an extra layer of security to accounts and systems. Even if a threat actor obtains login credentials, they will need the second factor to gain access.
- Incident Response Plan: Develop and implement an incident response plan to quickly address and mitigate the impact of social engineering attacks. Ensure that employees know how to report suspicious activities.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities in systems and processes. This includes reviewing access logs and monitoring for unusual activities.
By understanding the various types of social engineering attacks and implementing robust security measures, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these manipulative tactics. To learn more, contact ION Technology Group at 1.856.719.1818.
