How to spot a social engineering scam
What are some of the most recent social engineering scams?
“In these attacks, the attacker has to get the user to interact.” Tom explains.“So, they may send a very convincing text message to the victim purporting to be the fraud department of the bank.” This text message will say something like, “Did you make this purchase? showcasing a supposedly fraudulent amount, usually concerning enough to panic the victim into replying “no” as quickly as possible. When they do this, they may receive a response saying, Thank you. Someone from our fraud team will be in touch with you shortly.”
From there, the attacker and the victim are now in direct communication, where they can be tricked into handing over their sensitive information. In other scenarios, they may be told they need to download specific software to mitigate whichever situation the scammer convinced them of. With this software, the scammer can control their entire device.
Though there are other variations of this new social engineering style, they all involve taking advantage of the victim’s emotions and vulnerability to commit their deceptive act. When we asked Tom how we can expect social engineering scams to change with this current wave of AI-supported, AI-generated scams, he said, “It’s just the wind before the storm.”
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How should you adjust your outlook to recognize better and combat social engineering scams?
Many brands have told their customers, “We’ll never call you,” to fight these impersonation scams. It makes sense but only leads scammers to devise new ways to trick their victims. Not only this but according to Tom, there’s another issue with telling your users that you won’t call them. “As brand loyalists, enthusiasts, and supporters, that’s not really what we want our favorite brands to say.” He’s right. After all, one of the reasons customers may choose one brand over the competition is the ease with which they can talk to somebody if they have a question or concern.
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Beyond gut feelings: Navigating the blurred lines of AI-driven scams
Tom says, “Of course, if someone calls you, you want to be aware of what you’re being asked to do, and if it sounds fishy, don’t do it.” But because of AI’s sophistication and the clever, innovative tricks that scammers have up their sleeves, asking you to go with your ‘gut feeling’ is simply not enough. “The line between what feels fishy and what feels real is gone.”
Proactive steps against sophisticated social engineering scams
Protecting yourself from social engineering scams, especially in the age of AI, requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some steps to help you safeguard against such threats.
1) Stay aware: Keep up-to-date with the latest scam tactics and cybersecurity news. Awareness is the first line of defense.
2) Verify independently: If contacted by someone claiming to be from a company, verify the claim by contacting the company directly through official channels.
3) Guard personal information: Be cautious about sharing personal information, especially in response to unsolicited communications.
4) Use two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of security.
5) Be skeptical: Approach too-good-to-be-true offers and urgent requests for action with skepticism.
8) Secure communications: Use encrypted communication channels and avoid discussing sensitive information over unsecured networks.
9) Regularly update systems: Keep operating systems and cybersecurity software up-to-date to protect against known vulnerabilities.
10) Avoid unknown links and downloads: Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware.
By implementing these steps, individuals and organizations can build a stronger defense against the evolving landscape of social engineering scams. It’s important to remember that as technology advances, so do the tactics of scammers. Continuous education and vigilance are key to staying protected.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Have you ever encountered a social engineering scam? What red flags helped you recognize it? Let us know in the comments below.
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