#Social Engineering Awareness: Protecting Yourself from Psychological Cyber Attacks

Table of Contents

Were you always afraid of catching malware while browsing the internet? Not to make you paranoid, but there is a bigger threat on the web that you should fear more — social engineering attacks.

Phishing, a type of social engineering attack, is on the rise. An analysis by security provider SlashNext found 255 million attacks within a six-month period in 2022. That is a 61% increase compared to 2021.

Falling prey to these attacks can be severely harmful to your mental health. If you want to protect yourself, we are here to help. In this article, we will detail methods to fortify your defense online.

Let’s go!

What is Social Engineering?

Let’s start by understanding what social engineering is. Social engineering is a trick used by malicious actors on the internet to trick people into giving them their personal information. It can also be used to persuade victims to do things they shouldn’t do.

Unlike traditional hacking, social engineering doesn’t target computer programs. Instead, it tries to deceive users through their feelings and thoughts. Below are the common practices of those who use social engineering:

Pretend to be someone you know
Claim to be a member of a famous, reputable organization
Instill fear through an imaginary threat
Create a sense of urgency
Ask for sensitive information
Urge you to click on suspicious links

These malicious actors can reach you through emails, phone calls, text messages, chats, and even in person.

How to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Attacks

No one feels great after being scammed online. It can cause great emotional and mental distress and can even ruin lives. Thankfully, you have plenty of ways to reduce your risk of being a victim. The practices below can fortify your personal defense or secure your remote work environment.

1. Stay Informed and Educate Yourself

It’s important to know about social engineering attacks to defend yourself effectively. Stay updated with the latest tactics used by cybercriminals. Learn to recognize warning signs such as unexpected requests for personal information, urgent or threatening messages, or suspicious attachments or links.

Understanding how social engineers operate will help you develop a skeptical mindset and think critically before taking any action. To learn how much risk you’re currently exposed to, consider performing an information security risk assessment.

2. Confirm the Sender’s Identity

Don’t blindly trust unsolicited messages, even if they appear to be from familiar sources. Always verify the authenticity of the sender before sharing sensitive information or complying with their requests.

Moreover, use trusted and verified means of communication, like official websites or known contact information. These are valuable in confirming the legitimacy of the request. Remember, reputable organizations will never ask for sensitive information via email or insecure channels.

3. Strengthen Passwords and Use MFA

Protect your online accounts with strong and unique passwords. Combine letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid using easily guessable information. Additionally, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) if possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a fingerprint or a unique code sent to your mobile device, along with your password.

4. Be Cautious of Unsolicited Calls and Messages

Exercise caution when receiving unexpected phone calls or messages, particularly if they request personal information, financial details, or login credentials. Legitimate organizations usually don’t ask for such information over the phone. If you receive such a call, avoid sharing sensitive data and hang up. To verify the call’s legitimacy, independently contact the organization using official contact information.

5. Keep Your Devices Updated and Secure

Regularly update your devices and software to protect yourself from social engineering attacks. Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit. Also, use reputable security software, such as antivirus and anti-malware programs, and keep them up to date to effectively detect and prevent known threats.

6. Practice Safe Browsing Habits

Exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading files, especially from unknown or suspicious sources. Before clicking, hover over links to see their destinations and confirm they lead to legitimate websites. Be wary of shortened URLs, as they can hide the real destination. It’s best to avoid downloading files from untrusted websites or clicking on pop-up ads.

7. Be Mindful of Your Social Media Presence

Be cautious about the info you share on social media. Do not post personal details such as your full name, address, phone number, or vacation plans, as social engineers can use these to target you. Adjust your privacy settings to limit the visibility of your posts and only accept friend requests from people you know and trust.

Always keep in mind that other people can access what you share online, so think twice before revealing sensitive information or engaging in discussions that may compromise your security.

8. Trust Your Instincts

Most importantly, trust your gut feeling. If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Social engineers often manipulate emotions like fear, urgency, or curiosity to deceive their victims. If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a request or communication, be cautious and investigate further before proceeding.

Final words

Following the tips above can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to social engineering attacks. Yet, your online safety is in your hands. Being informed and proactive is crucial for protecting yourself from psychological cyber threats.

by Austin Page

If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on Google News too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.