Social engineering: manipulation in cyberspace and how to protect yourself

Social engineering is a method in which perpetrators use psychological tricks to obtain sensitive information. Unlike technical hacking attacks, social engineering aims to build trust or apply pressure to get people to provide information or take actions. A well-known example is “phishing,” in which perpetrators use fake emails to trick users into entering passwords or bank details. Other techniques include faking an identity or situation to trick the victim into revealing confidential information.

The psychology behind the fraud

The effectiveness of social engineering is based on the exploitation of basic human needs such as the desire for recognition, the need to help or the fear of making mistakes. Perpetrators often use the principle of reciprocity by first doing the victim an apparent favor and then demanding something in return. Another common tactic is to create urgency to discourage deliberate action and push the victim to make rash decisions.

Protective measures: How to prepare yourself

The best protection against social engineering is education and critical thinking. The following measures can help:

1. Be wary of unexpected requests : Be wary of requests that require sensitive data, especially if they seem unexpected or urgent.
2. Verify sources : Verify the identity of people or companies before disclosing information.
3. Protecting personal information : Be cautious about disclosing personal or company information, especially on social networks.
4. Regular training : It is crucial for companies to regularly train employees on the risks and techniques of social engineering.

Questions and answers about social engineering

Question 1: What is the difference between social engineering and traditional hacking?
Answer 1: Social engineering relies on psychological manipulation to get people to provide information or take actions, while traditional hacking uses technical methods to overcome security systems.

Question 2 : How do you recognize a phishing email?
Answer 2 : Phishing emails can be identified by unusual sender addresses, spelling errors, unexpected attachments or links, and requests for sensitive information.

Question 3 : Can social engineering also take place outside the Internet?
Answer 3 : Yes, it can also be done in person or over the phone, for example in the case of fraud or identity theft.

Conclusion

Social engineering is a serious threat in the digital world. However, the risk can be significantly reduced through education and critical questioning. It's important to be aware of tactics and remain attentive in any type of communication, whether digital or in-person. Implementing regular security training in companies can further help protect employees and ensure the security of company data.

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For further information and training, we recommend the Mimikama newsletter ( https://www.mimikama.org/mimikama-newsletter/ ) as well as online lectures and workshops from Mimikama ( https://www.mimikama.education/online-vortrag-von -mimikama/ ).

Also read:

• What is Identity Theft? A basic introduction
• Psychological toll: The consequences of identity theft on victims
• The scams of online fraudsters: From phishing to identity theft