Preventing Social Engineering Attacks: Understanding the Threat

What are some examples of social engineering attacks?

Which of the following fall(s) into the category of social engineering attacks? (Select all that apply)
a. MITM attack
b. Spear phishing
c. Dictionary attack
d. Shoulder surfing
e. Zero-day attack
f. Tailgating

Answer:

Spear phishing, shoulder surfing, and tailgating are classified as social engineering attacks since they involve manipulation of individuals through human interaction to circumvent security protocols.

Social engineering attacks encompass methods where the perpetrator uses human interaction to manipulate individuals into breaking normal security procedures. Some common examples of social engineering attacks include:

Spear Phishing

Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing where an attacker learns about the victim and crafts a personalized message. By tailoring the message, the attacker increases the likelihood that the victim will reveal sensitive information or click on malicious links.

Shoulder Surfing

Shoulder surfing occurs when an attacker observes a victim entering sensitive information, such as a PIN at an ATM or a password on their computer screen. The attacker gains access by visually obtaining the information without the victim's knowledge.

Tailgating

Tailgating involves an attacker attempting to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas by closely following a legitimate user without being detected. The attacker relies on blending in with others to bypass security measures.

It's important to be aware of these social engineering tactics and take necessary precautions to protect sensitive information and prevent security breaches.