Social engineering attacks represent one of the most deceptive forms of cybercrime—targeting people, not systems, by manipulating them into giving up sensitive information or performing risky actions. For businesses, these cybersecurity challenges pose serious threats to data security, operations, and reputations.
This blog will take you through the common tactics employed by attackers, from phishing to pretexting, and provide practical steps to protect your organisation. By understanding these methods and proactively implementing countermeasures, you can empower your team to guard against ingenious cyber threats.
What is social engineering?
Social engineering is a cybersecurity attack strategy that takes advantage of human behaviour and emotions, such as trust, fear, or curiosity. The goal? To manipulate individuals into sharing confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Unlike technical hacking, social engineering attacks focus on people as the weakest link in the security chain. For organisations, this means even the best technical defences can be undermined if employees fall victim to these manipulative techniques. Ultimately, defending against these attacks requires a blend of vigilance, education, and effective tools.
Social engineering attack techniques
Attackers use a wide range of tactics to achieve their malicious goals, targeting organisations and employees specifically. Below are some of the most relevant techniques businesses should be aware of:
Baiting
Baiting plays on curiosity by tempting the victim with an appealing lure, such as a free gift or exclusive content. For example, an attacker might leave corrupted USB drives labelled “Confidential Budget” in a common area, hoping someone will pick it up and plug it into a work computer, unknowingly introducing malware into the company network.
Scareware
This method uses fear tactics, presenting fake alerts or pop-ups that scream urgency, like “Your computer is infected! Download antivirus now!” Victims, panicked by the alarm, might follow these instructions and download malware disguised as a security application.
Angler phishing
One particular kind of phishing attempt that makes use of social media is called “angler phishing.” Angler phishing attacks use fake business social media profiles, in contrast to classical phishing, which uses emails impersonating trustworthy organisations.
Pretexting
Here, attackers create a convincing backstory to gain the victim’s trust. For example, someone pretending to be from the company’s IT department calls an employee and asks for login credentials to “fix a system issue.” By establishing a credible pretext, attackers can extract valuable information with ease.
Phishing
Perhaps the most well-known technique, phishing, uses emails or messages designed to look legitimate but contain malicious links or attachments. Phishing campaigns may impersonate banks, suppliers, or even senior executives to trick victims into providing sensitive details or executing fraudulent transactions.
Business email compromise (BEC)
BEC is a specific type of phishing that targets organisations. Attackers use spoofed email addresses to impersonate executives or business partners, requesting urgent transfers of funds or sensitive data. Because these emails appear to come from trusted sources, employees often comply before realising the deception.
Spear phishing
This targeted variation of phishing goes a step further, using personal or organisation-specific information to craft highly convincing emails. For instance, an attacker might reference a recent business deal or personal detail to gain trust and manipulate the recipient into taking action.
USB baiting
Physically leaving infected USB devices in offices or public areas is another common method. Employees may inadvertently introduce malware into their organisation’s networks simply by plugging these devices into their computers.
How to defend against social engineering attacks
Social engineering attacks thrive on human error, making proactive defences essential for every organisation. Here’s how you can protect your business and employees:
Build a positive security culture
A strong security culture starts with empowering employees to recognise and report suspicious behaviour. Encourage staff to communicate openly about potential risks without fear of reprimand and foster an environment where security awareness becomes second nature. By making cybersecurity a shared responsibility, you strengthen your organisation’s defences.
Educate and train employees
Knowledge is a powerful deterrent. Regularly train employees on how to identify and respond to social engineering threats. Use real-world examples, like phishing simulations, to help sharpen their understanding and keep security top of mind. Employee awareness and continuous learning can set your organisation apart from the millions that fall victim to preventable attacks.
Use multifactor authentication
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a simple yet effective solution. By requiring a secondary verification step—such as a mobile code or fingerprint, the impact of stolen credentials is minimised. Even if an attacker obtains a password, MFA acts as an additional barrier to block unauthorised access.
Implement technological cybersecurity measures
Advanced technology can bolster human efforts. Email filtering tools, firewalls, and endpoint security solutions can help detect and neutralise many social engineering threats before they reach employees. Additionally, regularly updating technology and performing IT assurance review can address gaps before attackers exploit them.
How OneAdvanced can help
The business landscape today is very interconnected, proactively mitigating social engineering threats is essential for safeguarding organisational integrity and data security. By fostering a culture of security awareness and investing in comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, businesses can empower their teams to identify and counteract these deceptive attacks effectively. Prioritising education, robust technological measures, and vigilant practices not only strengthens defences but also ensures operational continuity and resilience against evolving threats.
At OneAdvanced, we understand the complexities of combating social engineering and offer managed cybersecurity solutions to meet your organisation’s unique needs. Our expertise lies in empowering businesses to stay ahead of these threats through team training, advanced risk assessments, and cutting-edge technology. Acting as a trusted partner, we’ll work alongside you to create a security framework that supports your goals.
Connect with us today to discover more.