As our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, social engineering attacks have become more prevalent than ever before. The aim of social engineering attacks is to manipulate individuals into performing actions or divulging sensitive information. The attacks might involve phishing emails, fraudulent phone calls, or other forms of communication designed to trick us into handing over sensitive details or performing fraudulent actions. Here are some tips to help you avoid social engineering attacks while browsing online or communicating with people you don't know in person.
1. Practice caution with emails and phone calls
One of the most common forms of social engineering attacks is phishing via email. It starts with a seemingly genuine email that requests you to click on a link or download an attachment. These links might direct the user to fake web pages that capture sensitive information or install malicious malware on their device. Hackers might also impersonate someone you are familiar with and ask for details that they should already know. Therefore, always look out for unusual grammar or phrasing, and also do your research before downloading anything or clicking any links.
Similarly, fraudulent phone calls have become more prevalent, with many scammers pretending to be calling from banks, credit card companies, or other legitimate organizations, and requesting sensitive details from people. It is crucial to remember that genuine companies will never ask for sensitive information over the phone or via email.
2. Update your computers and mobile devices
It might be easy to put off installing software and security updates. However, they are crucial in keeping your devices secure from social engineering attacks. Most updates contain patches that fix security vulnerabilities that scammers can use to infiltrate your device. Make sure you install updates from reputable sources, and if you are unsure if an update request is legitimate, check with your device manufacturer or IT department.
3. Use reliable software and firewalls
As much as we are advised to use reliable software programs and firewalls, not very many of us take this advice seriously. Software and firewalls enhance the security of our devices as well as protect our private information from hackers. They monitor outgoing and incoming traffic for suspicious activity that might signify an attempt to hijack your device. Ensure that you also configure and maintain your firewall settings to prevent intrusions and other malware from infiltrating your device.
4. Always monitor your accounts
Keep a close eye on your accounts, whether it is your email, social media, financial institution, or any other account that contains sensitive details. Monitor and regularly check if any unusual activity happens on your accounts. Additionally, check bank statements or credit reports frequently to confirm if anyone has stolen your identity or committed fraud under your name. In case of unusual activity, contact the company to report the issue and change your account credentials accordingly.
5. Use complex passwords
Do not use passwords that relate to sensitive details such as your name, date of birth, or address. Instead, use a complex combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You can also consider using a password manager to generate and store passwords of varying lengths and with different characters. Ensure you also use two-factor authentication as an additional layer of security.
6. Train your staff
Most of the time, social engineering attacks happen to employees or team members of companies. Since they are the primary targets, companies need to focus more on training their employees on how to avoid social engineering attacks. Hold regular cyber-security training sessions to ensure that all your staff members are aware of any new techniques that hackers use and to advise them to always use best practices when using their devices and communicating with others on the internet.
In conclusion, the best way to avoid falling victim to social engineering attacks is to maintain a cautious attitude during your online activities. Always verify communications with competent authorities before taking any action if ever suspicious circumstances arise. Consider using security applications and firewalls, using complex passwords, update your devices regularly and never take any chances that could lead to jeopardizing your online security. In this rapidly advancing era of technology, having these practices will help you avoid falling prey to the hackers.
