PureCyber Microbytes: How to Protect Your SME against Social Engineering
What is a Social Engineering Attack?
While cyber security often focuses on securing our devices and networks, one area that deserves equal attention for businesses is safeguarding against social engineering attacks.
Social engineering is usually performed by cyber criminals trying to manipulate, influence or deceive an individual. This typically results in them trying to get sensitive information, confidential data or exploit individuals in some way to the attacker's advantage.
What makes social engineering particularly dangerous is that it employs manipulative tactics to exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. It preys on our innate instincts, such as trust, curiosity, or fear, to trick us into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise our security. One of the most common forms of social engineering is phishing.
How to Prevent and Respond to Social Engineering Attacks
LIMIT WHAT YOU SHARE ONLINE
Be cautious about sharing personal information on social media and other online platforms. Scammers often gather information from your online profiles to craft convincing social engineering attacks. Be aware that the content you share could be used maliciously.
Top Tip: We suggest individuals review privacy settings on social media platforms and restrict who can access your personal details.
EMPLOY MULTI FACTOR AUTHENTICATION
Applying multi factor authentication to your business and personal network adds an extra layers of security by requiring you to provide multiple forms of verification before gaining access to your accounts. Even if a scammer gets your password, MFA is designed to create additional barriers to get through.
Top Tip: Activate Multi-Factor Authentication on your devices and online accounts
TRAIN EMPLOYEES AND FAMILY
Ensuring that employees are educated so that they know how to identify and respond to social engineering attacks is also important. Gaining cyber essentials certification can help to implement basic controls and protocols. This is the first step to gain essential cyber knowledge to help prevent data breaches because of successful social engineering attacks. Testing employees with simulated Phishing attacks is also an effective way to measure the vigilence of employees and keep cyber security at the forefront of minds.
Top Tip: Ensure employees have access to cyber awareness training, are tested by simulated phishing attacks and are kept up to date with cyber trends.
STAY CALM
Scammers may use various emotional tactics to manipulate you. Stay calm and composed when faced with high-pressure situations. Take your time to assess the situation and make informed decisions. Above all, trust your instinct; If it seems to be good to be true it most likely is.
Top Tip: Think before you click! Urgency is a feeling that cyber criminals like to create because they know you’re more likely to act on their request.
VERIFY URLS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES
Always verify the authenticity of links by hovering the URL before clicking. There may also be subtle misspellings or grammatical mistakes in email addresses that attackers used to mimic legitimate senders.
Top Tip: Attackers gather data to make their request as legitimate as possible, they are also likely to time the request when you could be busy and more likely to fall for an attack. Always check email authenticity before you react.
Stay Aware
Social engineering attacks are a persistent threat in for individuals and small businesses, but with the right knowledge and practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to them.
By staying informed, being cautious, and following these top cyber security tips, you can protect yourself and your digital identity against social engineering attacks and keep your online life secure.
The most common form of social engineering is executed through phishing. If you are looking for more help or advice you can read our phishing 101 guide to learn more or get in touch with our cyber experts by clicking the button below.