In the world of online security, we often talk about protecting our computers and phones from hackers. But did you know that there's another way bad guys can get your personal information? It's called social engineering, and it's all about tricking people instead of hacking computers.
What is Social Engineering?
Social engineering is a fancy term for when cybercriminals try to trick people into giving up their private information. Instead of breaking into a computer system, these bad guys target humans by taking advantage of our trust, curiosity, and fear.
How Does Social Engineering Work?
A typical social engineering attack has four steps:
- Preparation: The attacker picks their targets and learns about them, like what they like, what they do for work, and what they post on social media.
- Deception: The attacker tries to gain the victim's trust by pretending to be someone they're not, like a company employee or tech support person.
- Exploitation: Once the victim trusts them, the attacker tricks them into giving up sensitive information, like passwords or credit card numbers.
- Disengagement: After the attack is done, the attacker stops talking to the victim to avoid getting caught.
Common Social Engineering Tricks
There are a few different types of social engineering tricks to watch out for:
- Phishing: Attackers pretend to be a trusted person or company to get you to share personal information, often through fake emails or websites.
- Quid Pro Quo: Attackers offer to do something for you in exchange for information, like claiming to fix a computer problem if you give them your password.
- Baiting: Attackers might promise free or special items to trick you into giving up your login information or installing a virus on your computer.
- Tailgating: This is when someone who isn't supposed to be in a secure area follows an employee into the building to steal stuff or information.
3 Tips to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering
- Be careful when making friends online: Not everyone on the internet is who they say they are. Be careful about sharing personal information with people you haven't met in real life.
- Don't open messages from people you don't know: If you get an unexpected email or message from someone you don't know, don't click on any links or download any attachments. They might contain viruses.
- Know your company's security rules: Make sure you know who you're allowed to let into your workplace and when. If you're not sure, ask your boss or the IT department.
By understanding how social engineering works and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help stop these types of attacks and keep your personal information safe.
