{"id":7388,"date":"2022-09-21T08:19:59","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T12:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.4kcc.com\/blog\/?page_id=7388"},"modified":"2023-03-30T10:10:34","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T14:10:34","slug":"social-engineering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.4kcc.com\/blog\/social-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Social Engineering is the number one way hackers break into computer systems and networks. As I explain in my blog post, Social Engineering: The Weakest Link In The Chain<\/a><\/strong>, the person operating a computing device is the weakest link in the security chain. Someone will click on a phishing email or be tricked into allowing someone onto his or her computer and the deed is done. Let’s first define Social Engineering and then look at some of the Social Engineering tricks and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it relates to the computing world, Social Engineering involves manipulating individuals by exploiting human weaknesses. You can find a complete meaning HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Three Social Engineering Methods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In my experience, I’ve found that there are three methods hackers and scammers use when it comes to Social Engineering. I mention these in the same Weakest Link<\/em> post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or Windows or Apple. They tell you that your computer has issues and you need to let them onto your computer to fix them.\u00a0This is an attempt to use fear as a motivator.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. An email comes to you stating that a friend is in trouble, lost their wallet, has no money, and can\u2019t get home. This is an attempt to appeal to your willingness to help others.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Congratulations! Someone emails you because you\u2019ve been recommended to help them move some money from their country to the US. And, if you\u2019re willing to help, they will give you a percentage of the money. This is an attempt to tap into your dreams.<\/em><\/strong> Who wouldn\u2019t like some easy money?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Those are the three methods I see being used: using fear as a motivator; appealing to your willingness to help others; and, attempting to tap into your dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fear Example<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    My very first YouTube video addressed an example of how scammers will use fear to trick you into doing something you shouldn’t do. If you haven’t watched this before, now would be a good time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n