What should new users know about social engineering?

Protect yourself against malicious attacks by remaining vigilant, recognizing suspicious messages, utilizing strong passwords, and reporting any questionable activity.

Feb 09, 2025 at 01:36 pm

Key Points

• Social engineering is a form of cybercrime that manipulates human behavior to gain access to sensitive information or financial assets.
• Attackers use various techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in human psychology and behavior, such as phishing scams, malware, and impersonation.
• New users need to be aware of the different types of social engineering attacks and how to protect themselves from becoming victims.

Article Content

Understand the Types of Social Engineering Attacks

Social engineering attacks take many forms, each designed to exploit specific human weaknesses. Common techniques include:

• Phishing scams: Attackers send fraudulent emails or text messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks or government agencies. These messages typically contain links that lead to fake websites or downloads that install malware.
• Malware: Malware is malicious software that can infect a user's computer or mobile device when they click on a link or download an attachment from a phishing email. Malware can track user activity, steal passwords, and compromise financial accounts.
• Impersonation: Attackers pretend to be trusted individuals, such as friends, family members, or colleagues, to gain access to sensitive information. They may contact victims via email, phone, or social media.
• Shoulder surfing: Attackers observe users from a distance to steal their passwords or credit card numbers when they enter them into a device.
• Pretexting: Attackers create a false scenario to trick victims into providing sensitive information. For example, they may pretend to be tech support staff and call victims asking for their login credentials.

Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Attacks

To protect yourself from social engineering attacks, you should:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails and text messages: Never click on links or open attachments from messages that appear to be from unknown or suspicious sources.
• Check the sender's email address carefully: Attackers often create email addresses that look similar to legitimate addresses to trick users. Always verify the email address before clicking on any links or attachments.
• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication: Strong passwords make it harder for attackers to guess, and two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or app notification.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Be mindful of who you share sensitive information with and avoid entering it in public places where others may be able to observe you.
• Trust your instincts: If something about an email, text message, or phone call doesn't feel right, it's probably best to ignore it. Don't feel obligated to reply or take action.

Additional Tips for New Users

• Educate yourself about social engineering: Learn about common attack techniques and how to protect yourself from them.
• Use a password manager: Password managers store your passwords securely and automatically generate strong passwords for your different accounts.
• Enable security features on your devices: Many devices have security features that can help protect you from social engineering attacks, such as browser pop-up blockers and anti-virus software.
• Be cautious when using social media: Don't share personal information or sensitive data on social media platforms, and be mindful of who you accept as friends or followers.
• Report suspicious activity: If you receive or encounter anything that looks like a social engineering attack, report it to the relevant authorities or organizations.

FAQs

• What are the most common social engineering scams? Phishing, malware, and impersonation are the most prevalent forms of social engineering scams.
• How do I report a social engineering attack? Report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local police department.
• What are the best ways to protect myself from social engineering attacks? Be suspicious of unsolicited emails and text messages, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts.
• What should I do if I become a victim of a social engineering attack? If you become a victim of a social engineering attack, contact your financial institution and credit bureaus immediately to freeze your accounts and report the fraud.