How to Avoid the 4 Points of a Social Engineering Attack

two people looking at their laptops and talking

Using deception to persuade people into revealing confidential information, social engineering is a frequent tactic of scammers. This type of hacking exploits our human tendency towards trust and relies on human interaction in order to be successful. By tricking users into disregarding security protocols, these attacks can cause substantial damage if left undetected.

In this article, we will explore the four points of social engineering attacks and how you can safeguard against them.

The basics of social engineering

Cybercriminals may resort to phishing emails in an attempt to gain access to your passwords or personal financial data through social engineering. This deceitful activity often involves them pretending they're technical support via phone calls, sending text messages, and even face-to-face interactions so as to persuade you into downloading malicious software on your device. Social media is another common channel for these types of scams since it can be quite simple for criminals to gather private information from a person's multiple online accounts.

Avoid becoming a victim of cyber criminals' social engineering attacks by recognizing the warning signs. Many such assaults follow an identical pattern, so be proactive and identify the red flags promptly. These are the four distinct points of a social engineering attack:

Point 1 – Reconnaissance

At this point of a cyberattack, the scammer collects intel about their victim. They may use social media to take advantage of you by trying to establish a connection with you. They can then rummage through your posts for private information. By doing so, they can gain access to small yet significant pieces of data that give them an opening into your life.

Furthermore, for business owners, a hacker could try to acquire private information about your employees or other system users in order to craft a more convincing narrative and convince you into taking the bait.

Point 2 – Elicitation

In an attempt to gain access to valuable data, such as passwords or logins, the hacker may masquerade as a customer or staff member on a mission. Additionally, they can send out phishing emails that appear legitimate due to their previous stages of reconnaissance. The deception could be so convincing that it appears like the message is coming straight from someone within your organization.

Cybercriminals will capitalize on whatever allows them to build a strong relationship with you. It will be one that they can later exploit and use to extract confidential information. This process may start subtly, but it will likely progressively increase until the hacker has access to your private data which they can misuse for their own unlawful activities.

Point 3 – Exploitation

Once the hacker has collected sufficient information, they will try to take advantage of it by gaining access to your system or network. This can be done by sending you a seemingly authentic link about something that interests you or deceiving you into giving away your email address or password. This may involve utilizing stolen login credentials, deploying malware on your computer, or even calling up pretending to be authorized personnel looking for account help.

Giving away any details of your identity may be used to manipulate you and should be avoided. This is a prime moment to take action, as training could mean the difference between your data being protected or it being stolen from right under your nose. The information needed from you might appear harmless, such as where you live, however, it can quickly develop into more sensitive matters like bank account info or passwords for important data. Therefore, it is important to stay vigilant!

Point 4 – Installation

Once the hacker gets inside your system, they will likely deploy malicious scripts and other tools to keep themselves in control. You might not even be aware that you have been hacked until it's too late. By then, the scammer would already have vanished and left no traces of their activities.

Although this is a typical structured social engineering attack, not all attacks are the same. It's essential to recognize these patterns in order to spot any type of social engineering attempt.

Avoiding a Social Engineering Attack

To protect yourself and your business from becoming a target of fraud, here are some reliable approaches you can take.

1. Keep your personal information protected at all times

When dealing with unsolicited contact, be it via telephone or email, never provide any personal information to anyone you don't know and trust. If a stranger requests passwords or social security numbers, do not reply. Make sure your IT team is informed so they can take the appropriate steps if necessary.

2. Take advantage of antivirus software and firewall programs 

Ensure that your software is always up-to-date, and stay cautious of any pop-ups or websites that request you to download something or update your Flash player. When out in a public setting, protect your screen as best as possible by utilizing specific phone settings or making sure to conceal the screen when entering passwords and other confidential information.

3. Exercise caution when it comes to the personal information you distribute on the internet.

Never share your confidential information such as your Social Security Number, home address, or other sensitive information on public-facing social media accounts and blogs. By doing so, you are at risk of being scammed by criminals who could use this data to carry out fraudulent activities against you or gain access to your accounts. Protect yourself from the potential danger of identity theft; do not divulge personal details online!

By practicing these tips, you can guard yourself against social engineering attacks. Exercise caution when browsing the web, and if you have any inquiries concerning how to secure your data, reach out to us at KotmanTechnology. We are here to be your dependable managed service provider.


Kotman Technology has been delivering comprehensive technology solutions to clients in California and Michigan for nearly two decades. We pride ourselves on being the last technology partner you'll ever need. Contact us today to experience the Kotman Difference.

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