Social engineering is a psychological manipulation technique used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. While these attacks don’t rely on technical vulnerabilities, they exploit human emotions and behaviors to gain access to sensitive data, making them extremely effective.
In this article, we’ll explore the six key principles of social engineering used by attackers and provide strategies on how to defend against them.
The principle of reciprocity is based on the social norm that if someone gives you something, you feel obligated to give something back. Social engineers exploit this by offering something seemingly harmless or valuable, such as a free service, advice, or small gift, in the hopes of receiving sensitive information or access in return.
Example: An attacker may pose as a helpful IT support worker offering assistance with a “free” software tool, then ask for your login credentials to complete the process.
How to Defend Against It:
The principle of commitment and consistency revolves around the idea that once people commit to something, they are more likely to follow through. Social engineers exploit this by gaining small commitments at first, building trust over time, and then escalating to larger, more compromising requests.
Example: An attacker may start by asking for simple, non-sensitive information such as your job title or department. Once rapport is built, they move on to asking for more sensitive details, like your access credentials.
How to Defend Against It:
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Social proof is the psychological phenomenon where people assume that if others are doing something, it must be the right thing to do. Attackers use this to their advantage by creating a false sense of trust through fake endorsements or by pretending to be part of a group of trusted individuals.
Example: An attacker might claim that your colleagues have already shared their login information for a supposed security audit, convincing you to do the same.
How to Defend Against It:
The principle of authority plays on our tendency to obey figures of authority, especially when the request seems legitimate. Social engineers pose as authority figures—such as IT administrators, executives, or government officials—to pressure individuals into complying with their demands.
Example: An attacker might impersonate your boss, asking for sensitive information such as client data or access to restricted systems, making the request seem urgent and important.
How to Defend Against It:
Attackers often use the liking principle by establishing a friendly rapport or making themselves seem likable and trustworthy. This can be done through compliments, finding common ground, or even pretending to share similar interests or hobbies. Once they’ve gained your trust, they will attempt to exploit that relationship to extract sensitive information.
Example: An attacker may engage in casual conversation, building a sense of friendship before subtly asking for access to confidential data or systems.
How to Defend Against It:
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The principle of scarcity is based on the idea that people are more likely to act when they believe something is in limited supply or available for a short time. Social engineers use this to create a false sense of urgency, prompting their targets to act quickly without thoroughly considering the consequences.
Example: An attacker may send a fake email claiming that your account will be deactivated within 24 hours unless you click a link and enter your login information.
How to Defend Against It:
Social engineering attacks are highly effective because they exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. To defend against them, it’s important to stay aware of these principles and use common-sense strategies to verify any requests for information or access.
Here’s a quick summary of how to defend yourself:
At Securafy, we specialize in helping businesses strengthen their cybersecurity defenses, including providing training and solutions to protect against social engineering attacks. Contact us today to learn how we can help safeguard your organization from these threats.