Securing sensitive information is becoming increasingly difficult. As companies rely on networked systems and online communication, the art of manipulation has taken on a new form: social engineering. Such cyberattacks are not based on complex algorithms or impenetrable codes, but on the exploitation of the human psyche and trust. According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 74% of breaches in 2022 involved a human component, further indicating that this type of cybercrime should be taken seriously.

Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into revealing sensitive information or taking actions that could compromise security. Social engineering takes advantage of the human element and uses tactics that instill fear and urgency. These attacks take different forms, with digital threats being particularly insidious because they can target a wide range of victims simultaneously.

Below are seven of the most common tricks cybercriminals use to break into data and corporate systems:

1. Phishing: This fraudulent technique involves sending seemingly legitimate emails to victims in an attempt to trick them into revealing personal information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading infected attachments. For example, a cybercriminal could pose as a legitimate bank and send customers an email asking them to update their account information by clicking on a link that takes them to a fraudulent website.
2. fishing: This is an abbreviation for “voice phishing”, a method in which people’s sensitive data is obtained through telephone conversations. By posing as a trusted party, such as a bank or government agency, scammers trick victims into verbally disclosing passwords, Social Security numbers or financial information.
3. Smiling: This method is similar to vishing, but uses text messages to trick recipients. Scammers send text messages with malicious links or instructions asking victims to call a fake number to provide credit card, banking or other personal information. The text message may also contain instructions on how to install malware with a similar mission.

• whaling: The stakes are high in these attacks, and cybercriminals target decision makers or people at the top or within an organization. The goal of whaling attacks is to gain access to critical business information or financial data by using people with certain status, authority, or credentials to more secure systems.

• pretext: In this approach, criminals create clever stories or scenarios to gain victims’ trust and trick them into revealing sensitive information. A common example is a scammer posing as an IT technician and asking for login details under the guise of general maintenance or testing.

• Business Email Compromise (BEC): Attacks of this type often target finance departments, where a cybercriminal impersonates someone from the top of a company or organization in an email message. Scammers request urgent money transfers or ask for sensitive financial information, playing on the sender’s perceived authority.

• Piggyback: This is a form of social engineering in which an attacker physically follows authorized personnel to gain access to restricted areas. By abusing someone’s trust, the attacker gains unauthorized access to sensitive locations. Call centers and server rooms are vulnerable to these types of attacks.

Limit the risks

Reducing the chances of a successful social engineering attack requires a multi-pronged approach that combines technology and vigilance. By properly educating your customers about the different types of social engineering attacks and providing real-world examples, they will be better equipped to detect such attacks and respond effectively. Show the importance of being skeptical and careful when communicating digitally with regular training. By deploying email filters and anti-phishing software to detect and prevent social engineering attacks, you can detect malicious content and potential threats before they reach your customers’ inboxes.

Be proactive

As a reliable tech partner, you play a central role in protecting your customers from all types of cyber attacks. By staying ahead of the tactics cybercriminals are developing, you can provide valuable insight and support to end users. Keep everyone up to date on the latest scams and tricks so customers can identify and respond to potential threats faster.

Another proactive measure is to organize mandatory cybersecurity awareness training for customer employees. Such initiatives help create a culture where everyone is clear about what security means. Regular exercise keeps people alert and well prepared. In addition, they have the knowledge and skills to quickly detect and mitigate social engineering attacks.

Timely communication is another useful strategy. It’s good practice to send regular updates about the ever-changing landscape of social engineering threats. This not only keeps customers informed and prepared, but also increases their confidence in your ability to protect their interests. By maintaining open lines of communication and actively sharing insights, you can build a strong relationship with your customers that will only strengthen their cybersecurity position.

Defense against cybercrime

Social engineering attacks pose a serious threat to corporate security in today’s connected world. By understanding the tricks cybercriminals use and implementing effective countermeasures, you can play a critical role in strengthening your customers’ defenses.

The fight against social engineering requires constant vigilance, clear training decisions, and a concerted effort to stay one step ahead of attackers. As the digital landscape changes, the role of MSPs in ensuring a secure and resilient digital environment becomes increasingly important.

Remember that cybersecurity is a collaborative effort that requires constant adaptation and training. Stay informed and be prepared.

This is a post from Rick Hebly, Director of Product Management at Acronis. Acronis is committed to providing security solutions that protect your customers. With Cyber ​​​​Protect Cloud, MSPs can offer their customers backup, disaster recovery, security, automation and management services, all seamlessly integrated into one easy-to-use platform. Cyber ​​​​Protect Cloud also integrates with more than 150 other turnkey solutions that you probably already use every day. By choosing a unified solution, you can work as efficiently as possible and provide your customers with the best service.