In today’s digital landscape social engineering attacks have emerged as one of the most prevalent threats to individuals and organizations alike. Unlike traditional cyber threats that exploit technical vulnerabilities, social engineering relies on manipulating human psychology to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Working with permission and under legal constraints ethical hackers make sure to uncover and fix all the vulnerabilities in systems before malicious hackers can exploit them
Social engineering encompasses a variety of tactics used by attackers to deceive individuals into divulging confidential information. A report from Cybersecurity threat trends states that nearly 90% of data breaches begin with social engineering attacks and these can range from email phishing which appear legitimate.
Phishing is one of the most commonly used methods attackers craft emails that mimic reputable sources. To safeguard from social engineering attacks spreading awareness about common tactics is important. Anti Phishing working group states that the number of phishing attacks increased by 220% in 2021 also voice phishing and SMS phishing are on rise. Ethical hackers stress on the importance of concern on receiving unsolicited communications particularly those requesting personal information.
Ponemon Institute found in a survey that organizations that implemented security awareness training saw a 70% reduction in phishing attacks highlighting need for a continuous education and implementing security conscious culture within organizations
Embracing robust security practice is an effective way to defend against social engineering and regular training sessions for employees reduce susceptibility to attacks
Moreover ethical hackers recommend the use of two-factor authentication whenever possible. By requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code or authentication app, even if an attacker manages to obtain a password, they are unlikely to gain access without the second factor. Statistics show that 2FA can block up to 99.9% of automated attacks, underscoring its importance in protecting sensitive information.
A study by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency found that simple verification methods could thwart up to 70% of social engineering attempts.
If you receive a request for sensitive information via email or phone take the time to verify the request. This involve contacting the person directly through an official channel . A study by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency found that simple verification methods could thwart up to 70% of social engineering attempts.
According to a study by Kaspersky 63% of users reported being targeted based on their social media activity hence adjusting privacy settings and being selective about what is shared can greatly reduce the risk of being targeted by social engineers.
Ethical hackers recommend limiting the amount of personal information shared on social media platforms as attackers often gather intelligence through publicly available data. Everyone should be mindful of online presence.
In conclusion, protecting from social engineering attacks requires a dynamic approach centered on awareness and careful observation. Empower yourself with knowledge and you will be better equipped to treat of social engineering.
