Social Engineering Attacks to Watch Out For

Not all cyberattacks require technical skills. Social engineering is one of those techniques that is highly effective without requiring a threat actor to understand the complex and inner workings of security systems.

Social engineering is the process of manipulating victims into giving up confidential information or providing access to restricted resources. The technique relies on human interaction and psychology and it is used to circumvent normal security procedures.

Businesses are often targeted with social engineering attacks to gain access to information such as account passwords, banking information as well as access to the victim’s computer.
It could also be used to install malicious software for remote control and information theft.

Social engineering is popular because it is much easier to exploit people’s behavior and emotion than find security vulnerabilities.

How social engineering works
Social engineering usually starts with research and reconnaissance of the target. Cybercriminals often gather intelligence about the organization structure, business partners, employees’ behavioral patterns, and internal communication tools.

The discovered information is then used to design social engineering attacks.

Social Engineering Tactics
There are various tactics used by social engineers to gain the trust of their target. Some of them are covered below

1. Message from a Trusted Partner
A common social engineering tactic is to send a phishing email to impersonate a trusted business partner. The hacker will present a valid reason, a pretext, for the contact and then demand the victim hand over their login credentials and other personal data. Often, personal information is obtained via malicious links included in the email.

This is commonly deployed against financial institutions and their partners.

This social engineering method may include an email or call asking for details of an ongoing transaction, a boss’ weekly calendar, charity donation, or a scam urgent request for help from a stranded friend.

2. Baiting Tactics
This is also known as quid pro quo. This method relies on dangling gifts or benefits in front of people to encourage them to take actions in favor of the attacker.

Hackers may offer popular movies, music, and premium software for free or at heavily discounted prices. Such offers are distributed on peer-to-peer websites, online advertisements, and social media platforms.

The free offers are often embedded with malware to compromise victims’ systems and steal confidential information. For premium products sold at a fraction of the cost, the promoters harvest the buyers’ credit cards and account details which are then used for automatic debits or emptying victims’ accounts.

Social engineers may drop infectious USB drives in the business premises with the hope that an employee will plug them in directly into the system causing infection.

3. Creating Distrust
Attackers can also create distrust among friends and colleagues and take advantage of the ensuing chaos.

This involves having unauthorized access to a victim’s email and social media account and then manipulating them to achieve the desired outcome.

The malicious actor pretends to be the account owner and sends carefully crafted messages in order to cause disaffection among parties. Old messages may be edited or previously private conversations leaked to the subject of discussion. The strained relationship may then be exploited for various purposes.

4. Unsolicited assistance
In this case, malicious actors offer unsolicited assistance to victims or pretend to be responding to a call for help.

The attackers impersonate an employee from a different branch or a support agent for popular companies in industries such as banking, health, and software development.

Attackers may send out emails or make calls offering to fix the victim’s computer. A recent cybersecurity incident could also be referenced as the reason for offering a fake security update that is actually malware.

Cybercriminals may request personal information from the victims as part of the fix.

5. Faking Trust
Cybercriminals can best impersonate a person when they have access to their emails and other online accounts.

They can send messages to the victim’s contacts leveraging their existing relationship. Such messages are not properly scrutinized because of their trusted origin.

The messages may include malicious links and attachments disguised as cute pictures and salary upgrades. Victims’ devices are infected when such links are opened.

Such impersonation may also be used to obtain sensitive information about a victim’s personal and professional life.

6. Tailgating
This is when a cybercriminal gains physical access into a secure location by following and pretending to be associated with authorized personnel.

How to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Attack

  1. Avoid all unsolicited offers of winnings or gifts.
  2. Block and report any request for passwords or financial information.
  3. Reject all unsolicited offers for help and only use official channels for communication.
  4. Organizations should regularly carry out social engineering awareness training and penetration testing.
  5. Anti-virus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems should be installed and kept up to date.
  6. Deploy advanced security systems and processes for employees with access to sensitive and financial information.
  7. Install anti-spam software on your network to block malicious emails.
  8. Don’t overshare personal information online or in gatherings.
  9. Don’t click on links in email, visit the site directly via browser.
  10. Don’t leave your devices unattended.
  11. Monitor your accounts closely to quickly detect unauthorized logins.

Social engineering will continue to be a favorite method of hacking because of its simplicity and effectiveness. Cybercriminals can use social engineering attacks in unlimited ways to steal personal information and compromise systems.

To protect yourself and your organization from various social engineering tactics, follow the recommended tips discussed above. Security-aware employees can better detect attack attempts and block them.

Do you want to protect your business from social engineering attacks? Get in touch today.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.