Social engineering (security): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information}} |
{{short description|Psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} |
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{{For|the influencing of attitudes and social behaviors on a large scale|social engineering (political science)}} |
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[[File:OPSEC alert -- What is social engineering....jpg|thumb|400px|[[OPSEC]] alert|alt=Definition of Social Engineering in Layman's Terms ]] |
[[File:OPSEC alert -- What is social engineering....jpg|thumb|400px|[[OPSEC]] alert|alt=Definition of Social Engineering in Layman's Terms ]] |
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In the context of [[information security]], '''social engineering''' is the [[psychological manipulation]] of people into performing actions or divulging [[Confidentiality|confidential information]]. A type of [[confidence trick]] for the purpose of information gathering, fraud, or system access, it differs from a traditional "con" in the sense that it is often one of the many steps in a more complex fraud scheme.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ILaY4jBWXfcC|title=Security engineering: a guide to building dependable distributed systems|last=Anderson|first=Ross J.|publisher=Wiley|year=2008|isbn=978-0-470-06852-6|edition=2|location=Indianapolis, IN|page=1040|author-link=Ross J. Anderson}} Chapter 2, page 17</ref> It has also been defined as "any act that influences a person to take an action that may or may not be in their best interests."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.social-engineer.org/framework/general-discussion/social-engineering-defined/|title=Social Engineering Defined |work=Security Through Education|access-date=3 October 2021|language=en-TH}}</ref> |
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{{Information security}} |
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In the context of [[information security]], '''social engineering''' is the [[psychological manipulation]] of people into performing actions or divulging [[Confidentiality|confidential information]]. This differs from social engineering within the social sciences, which does not concern the divulging of confidential information. A type of [[confidence trick]] for the purpose of information gathering, fraud, or system access, it differs from a traditional "con" in that it is often one of many steps in a more complex fraud scheme.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ILaY4jBWXfcC|title=Security engineering: a guide to building dependable distributed systems|last=Anderson|first=Ross J.|publisher=Wiley|year=2008|isbn=978-0-470-06852-6|edition=2nd|location=Indianapolis, IN|page=1040|author-link=Ross J. Anderson}} Chapter 2, page 17</ref> |
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Research done in 2020 has indicated that social engineering will be one of the most prominent challenges of the upcoming decade. Having proficiency in social engineering will be increasingly important for organizations and countries, due to the impact on [[geopolitics]] as well. Social engineering raises the question of whether our decisions will be accurately informed if our primary information is engineered and biased.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Guitton |first=Matthieu J. |date=2020-06-01 |title=Cybersecurity, social engineering, artificial intelligence, technological addictions: Societal challenges for the coming decade |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563220300613 |journal=Computers in Human Behavior |volume=107 |pages=106307 |doi=10.1016/j.chb.2020.106307 |s2cid=214111644 |issn=0747-5632}}</ref> |
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It has also been defined as "an act that influences a person to take an action that may or may not be in their best interests."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.social-engineer.org/framework/general-discussion/social-engineering-defined/|title=Social Engineering Defined |work=Security Through Education|access-date=3 October 2021|language=en-TH}}</ref> |
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Social engineering attacks have been increasing in intensity and number, cementing the need for novel detection techniques and cyber security educational programs.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Salahdine |first=Fatima |date=2019 |title=Social Engineering Attacks: A Survey |url=https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/11/4/89 |journal=School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of North Dakota |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=89}}</ref> |
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An example of social engineering is the use of the "forgot password" function on most websites which require login. An improperly-secured password-recovery system can be used to grant a malicious attacker full access to a user's account, while the original user will lose access to the account. |
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==Information security culture== |
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Employee behavior can have a big impact on information security in organizations. Cultural concepts can help different segments of the organization work effectively or work against effectiveness towards information security within an organization. "Exploring the Relationship between Organizational Culture and Information Security Culture" provides the following definition of information security culture: "ISC is the totality of patterns of behavior in an organization that contribute to the protection of information of all kinds."<ref>Lim, Joo S., et al. "[https://ro.ecu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=ism Exploring the Relationship between Organizational Culture and Information Security Culture]." Australian Information Security Management Conference.</ref> |
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Andersson and Reimers (2014) found that employees often do not see themselves as part of the organization Information Security "effort" and often take actions that ignore organizational information security best interests.<ref name="Andersson & Reimers 2014">Andersson, D., Reimers, K. and Barretto, C. (March 2014). [https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_facarticles/529/ Post-Secondary Education Network Security: Results of Addressing the End-User Challenge].publication date 11 March 2014 publication description INTED2014 (International Technology, Education, and Development Conference)</ref> Research shows Information security culture needs to be improved continuously. In "Information Security Culture from Analysis to Change," authors commented that "it's a never ending process, a cycle of evaluation and change or maintenance." They suggest that to manage information security culture, five steps should be taken: Pre-evaluation, strategic planning, operative planning, implementation, and post-evaluation.<ref name="Schlienger, Thomas 2003">{{cite journal | last1 = Schlienger | first1 = Thomas | last2 = Teufel | first2 = Stephanie | year = 2003 | title = Information security culture-from analysis to change | url =https://www.researchgate.net/publication/220102979 | journal = South African Computer Journal | volume = 31 | pages = 46–52 }}</ref> |
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*Pre-Evaluation: to identify the awareness of information security within employees and to analyse current security policy. |
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*Strategic Planning: to come up with a better awareness-program, we need to set clear targets. Clustering people is helpful to achieve it. |
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*Operative Planning: set a good security culture based on internal communication, management-buy-in, and security awareness and training program.<ref name="Schlienger, Thomas 2003"/> |
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*Implementation: four stages should be used to implement the information security culture. They are commitment of the management, communication with organizational members, courses for all organizational members, and commitment of the employees.<ref name="Schlienger, Thomas 2003"/> |
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==Techniques and terms== |
==Techniques and terms== |
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All social engineering techniques are based on |
All social engineering techniques are based on human nature of a human humanity [[decision-making]] known as [[List of cognitive biases|cognitive biases]].<ref>Jaco, K: "CSEPS Course Workbook" (2004), unit 3, Jaco Security Publishing.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kirdemir|first=Baris|date=2019|title=HOSTILE INFLUENCE AND EMERGING COGNITIVE THREATS IN CYBERSPACE|journal=Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep21052}}</ref> |
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One example of social engineering is an individual who walks into a building and posts an official-looking announcement to the company bulletin that says the number for the help desk has changed. So, when employees call for help the individual asks them for their passwords and IDs thereby gaining the ability to access the company's private information. |
One example of social engineering is an individual who walks into a building and posts an official-looking announcement to the company bulletin that says the number for the help desk has changed. So, when employees call for help the individual asks them for their passwords and IDs thereby gaining the ability to access the company's private information. |
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Another example of social engineering would be that the hacker contacts the target on a [[social networking site]] and starts a conversation with the target. Gradually the hacker gains the trust of the target and then uses that trust to get access to sensitive information like password or bank account details.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hatfield|first=Joseph M|date=June 2019|title=Virtuous human hacking: The ethics of social engineering in penetration-testing|journal=Computers & Security|volume=83|pages=354–366|doi=10.1016/j.cose.2019.02.012|s2cid=86565713}}</ref> |
Another example of social engineering would be that the hacker contacts the target on a [[social networking site]] and starts a conversation with the target. Gradually the hacker gains the trust of the target and then uses that trust to get access to sensitive information like password or bank account details.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hatfield|first=Joseph M|date=June 2019|title=Virtuous human hacking: The ethics of social engineering in penetration-testing|journal=Computers & Security|volume=83|pages=354–366|doi=10.1016/j.cose.2019.02.012|s2cid=86565713}}</ref> |
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Social engineering relies heavily on the six principles of influence established by [[Robert Cialdini]]. Cialdini's theory of influence is based on six key principles: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, scarcity. |
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===Six key principles=== |
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====Authority==== |
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In social engineering, the attacker may pose as authority to increase the likelihood of adherence from the victim. |
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====Intimidation==== |
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{{Main articles|Intimidation}} |
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Attacker (potentially disguised) informs or implies that there will be negative consequences if certain actions are not performed. Consequences could include subtle intimidation phrases such as "I'll tell your manager" to much worse. |
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====Consensus/Social proof==== |
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{{Main articles|Social proof}} |
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People will do things that they see other people are doing. For example, in one experiment{{Which one|date=February 2022}}, one or more confederates would look up into the sky; bystanders would then look up into the sky to see what they were missing. At one point this experiment was aborted, as so many people were looking up that they stopped traffic. See [[Conformity (psychology)|conformity]], and the [[Asch conformity experiments]]. |
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====Scarcity==== |
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{{Main articles|Scarcity (social psychology)}} |
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Perceived scarcity will generate [[demand]]. The common advertising phrase "while supplies last" capitalizes on a sense of scarcity. |
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==== Urgency ==== |
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Linked to scarcity, attackers use urgency as a time-based psychological principle of social engineering. For example, saying offers are available for a "limited time only" encourages sales through a sense of urgency. |
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==== Familiarity / Liking ==== |
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{{Main article|Friendship}} |
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People are easily persuaded by other people whom they like. Cialdini cites the marketing of [[Tupperware]] in what might now be called [[viral marketing]]. People were more likely to buy if they liked the person selling it to them. Some of the many biases favoring more attractive people are discussed. See [[physical attractiveness stereotype]]. |
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===Four social engineering vectors=== |
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====Vishing==== |
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Vishing, otherwise known as "[[voice phishing]]", is the criminal practice of using social engineering over a [[PSTN|telephone system]] to gain access to private personal and financial information from the public for the purpose of financial reward.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Choi|first1=Kwan|last2=Lee|first2=Ju-lak|last3=Chun|first3=Yong-tae|date=2017-05-01|title=Voice phishing fraud and its modus operandi|url=http://link.springer.com/10.1057/sj.2014.49|journal=Security Journal|language=en|volume=30|issue=2|pages=454–466|doi=10.1057/sj.2014.49|s2cid=154080668|issn=0955-1662}}</ref> It is also employed by attackers for [[reconnaissance]] purposes to gather more detailed [[Intelligence analysis|intelligence]] on a target organization. |
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====Phishing==== |
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{{Main|Phishing}} |
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Phishing is a technique of fraudulently obtaining private information. Typically, the phisher sends an e-mail that appears to come from a legitimate business—a bank, or [[credit card company]]—requesting "verification" of information and warning of some [[Loss aversion|dire consequence]] if it is not provided. The e-mail usually contains a link to a fraudulent web page that seems legitimate—with company logos and content—and has a form requesting everything from a home address to an [[ATM card]]'s [[Personal identification number|PIN]] or a [[credit card number]]. For example, in 2003, there was a phishing scam in which users received emails supposedly from [[eBay]] claiming that the user's account was about to be suspended unless a link provided was clicked to update a [[credit card]] (information that the genuine eBay already had).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Austen|first=Ian|date=2005-03-07|title=On EBay, E-Mail Phishers Find a Well-Stocked Pond|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/07/technology/on-ebay-email-phishers-find-a-wellstocked-pond.html|access-date=2021-05-01|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By mimicking a legitimate organization's HTML code and logos, it is relatively simple to make a fake Website look authentic. The scam tricked some people into thinking that eBay was requiring them to update their account information by clicking on the link provided. By indiscriminately [[spamming]] extremely large groups of people, the "phisher" counted on gaining sensitive financial information from the small percentage (yet large number) of recipients who already have eBay accounts and also fall prey to the scam. |
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====Smishing==== |
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The act of using [[SMS]] text messaging to lure victims into a specific course of action. Like [[phishing]] it can be clicking on a malicious link or divulging information. Examples are text messages that claim to be from a common carrier (like FedEx) stating a package is in transit, with a link provided. |
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====Impersonation==== |
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Pretending or [[pretexting]] to be another person with the goal of gaining access physically to a system or building. Impersonation is used in the "[[SIM swap scam]]" fraud. |
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==Other concepts== |
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===Pretexting=== |
===Pretexting=== |
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{{Main|Pretexting}} |
{{Main|Pretexting}} |
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'''Pretexting''' (adj. '''pretextual''') is the act of creating and using an invented scenario (the [[pretext]]) to engage a targeted victim in a manner that increases the chance the victim will divulge information or perform actions that would be unlikely in ordinary circumstances.<ref>The story of HP pretexting scandal with discussion is available at {{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/62262162/HP-Pretexting-Scandal|title=HP Pretexting Scandal by Faraz Davani|date=14 August 2011|via=Scribd|access-date=15 August 2011|first1=Faraz|last1=Davani}}</ref> An elaborate [[lie]], it most often involves some prior research or setup and the use of this information for impersonation (''e.g.'', date of birth, [[Social Security number]], last bill amount) to establish legitimacy in the mind of the target.<ref>"[http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre10.shtm Pretexting: Your Personal Information Revealed]", [[Federal Trade Commission]]</ref> |
'''Pretexting''' (adj. '''pretextual'''), also known in the UK as '''blagging''',<ref name="b163">{{cite web | title=Fundamentals of cyber security | website=BBC Bitesize | date=19 March 2019 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/znnny4j/revision/4 | access-date=7 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240707042547/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/znnny4j/revision/4|archive-date=7 July 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> is the act of creating and using an invented scenario (the [[pretext]]) to engage a targeted victim in a manner that increases the chance the victim will divulge information or perform actions that would be unlikely in ordinary circumstances.<ref>The story of HP pretexting scandal with discussion is available at {{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/62262162/HP-Pretexting-Scandal|title=HP Pretexting Scandal by Faraz Davani|date=14 August 2011|via=Scribd|access-date=15 August 2011|first1=Faraz|last1=Davani}}</ref> An elaborate [[lie]], it most often involves some prior research or setup and the use of this information for impersonation (''e.g.'', date of birth, [[Social Security number]], last bill amount) to establish legitimacy in the mind of the target.<ref>"[http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre10.shtm Pretexting: Your Personal Information Revealed]", [[Federal Trade Commission]]</ref> |
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This technique can be used to fool a business into disclosing customer information as well as by [[private investigator]]s to obtain telephone records, utility records, banking records and other information directly from company service representatives.<ref name="The Serial Swatter">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/magazine/the-serial-swatter.html|title=The Serial Swatter|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|last1=Fagone|first1=Jason|access-date=25 November 2015|date=24 November 2015}}</ref> The information can then be used to establish even greater legitimacy under tougher questioning with a manager, ''e.g.'', to make account changes, get specific balances, etc. |
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Pretexting can also be used to impersonate co-workers, police, bank, tax authorities, clergy, insurance investigators—or any other individual who could have perceived authority or right-to-know in the mind of the targeted victim. The pretexter must simply prepare answers to questions that might be asked by the victim. In some cases, all that is needed is a voice that sounds authoritative, an earnest tone, and an ability to think on one's feet to create a pretextual scenario. |
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===Vishing=== |
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{{Main|Voice phishing}} |
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Phone phishing (or "[[vishing]]") uses a rogue [[interactive voice response]] (IVR) system to recreate a legitimate-sounding copy of a bank or other institution's IVR system. The victim is prompted (typically via a phishing e-mail) to call in to the "bank" via a (ideally toll free) number provided in order to "verify" information. A typical "vishing" system will reject log-ins continually, ensuring the victim enters PINs or passwords multiple times, often disclosing several different passwords. More advanced systems transfer the victim to the attacker/defrauder, who poses as a customer service agent or [[security]] expert for further questioning of the victim. |
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===Spear phishing=== |
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{{Main|Spear phishing}} |
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Although similar to "phishing", spear phishing is a technique that fraudulently obtains private information by sending highly customized emails to few end users. It is the main difference between phishing attacks because phishing campaigns focus on sending out high volumes of generalized emails with the expectation that only a few people will respond. On the other hand, spear-phishing emails require the attacker to perform additional research on their targets in order to "trick" end users into performing requested activities. The success rate of spear-phishing attacks is considerably higher than phishing attacks with people opening roughly 3% of phishing emails when compared to roughly 70% of potential attempts. When users actually open the emails phishing emails have a relatively modest 5% success rate to have the link or attachment clicked when compared to a spear-phishing attack's 50% success rate.<ref name="The Real Dangers of Spear-Phishing Attacks">{{cite web|url=https://www.fireeye.com/current-threats/best-defense-against-spear-phishing-attacks.html|title=The Real Dangers of Spear-Phishing Attacks|year=2016|publisher=FireEye|access-date=9 October 2016}}</ref> |
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Spear-phishing success is heavily dependent on the amount and quality of [[OSINT]] (open-source intelligence) that the attacker can obtain. [[Social media]] account activity is one example of a source of OSINT. |
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===Water holing=== |
===Water holing=== |
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{{Main|Watering hole attack}} |
{{Main|Watering hole attack}} |
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Water holing is a targeted social engineering strategy that capitalizes on the trust users have in websites they regularly visit. The victim feels safe to do things they would not do in a different situation. A wary person might, for example, purposefully avoid clicking a link in an unsolicited email, but the same person would not hesitate to follow a link on a website they often visit. So, the attacker prepares a trap for the unwary prey at a favored watering hole. This strategy has been successfully used to gain access to some (supposedly) very secure systems.<ref name="Forbes.com watering hole attack">{{cite web|url=https://www.invincea.com/2015/02/chinese-espionage-campaign-compromises-forbes/|title=Chinese Espionage Campaign Compromises Forbes.com to Target US Defense, Financial Services Companies in Watering Hole Style Attack|date=10 February 2015|publisher=invincea.com|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> |
Water holing is a targeted social engineering strategy that capitalizes on the trust users have in [[Website|websites]] they regularly visit. The victim feels safe to do things they would not do in a different situation. A wary person might, for example, purposefully avoid clicking a link in an unsolicited email, but the same person would not hesitate to follow a link on a website they often visit. So, the attacker prepares a trap for the unwary prey at a favored watering hole. This strategy has been successfully used to gain access to some (supposedly) very secure systems.<ref name="Forbes.com watering hole attack">{{cite web|url=https://www.invincea.com/2015/02/chinese-espionage-campaign-compromises-forbes/|title=Chinese Espionage Campaign Compromises Forbes.com to Target US Defense, Financial Services Companies in Watering Hole Style Attack|date=10 February 2015|publisher=invincea.com|access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> |
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The attacker may set out by identifying a group or individuals to target. The preparation involves gathering information about websites the targets often visit from the secure system. The information gathering confirms that the targets visit the websites and that the system allows such visits. The attacker then tests these websites for vulnerabilities to inject code that may infect a visitor's system with [[malware]]. The injected code trap and malware may be tailored to the specific target group and the specific systems they use. In time, one or more members of the target group will get infected and the attacker can gain access to the secure system. |
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===Baiting=== |
===Baiting=== |
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Baiting is like the real-world [[Trojan horse]] that uses physical media and relies on the curiosity or greed of the victim.<ref name="Social Engineering, the USB Way">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1|title=Social Engineering, the USB Way|date=7 June 2006|publisher=Light Reading Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060713134051/http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1|archive-date=13 July 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> In this [[attack (computing)|attack]], attackers leave [[malware]]-infected [[floppy disk]]s, [[CD-ROM]]s, or [[USB flash drive]]s in locations people will find them (bathrooms, elevators, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.), give them legitimate and curiosity-piquing labels, and wait for victims. |
Baiting is like the real-world [[Trojan horse]] that uses physical media and relies on the curiosity or greed of the victim.<ref name="Social Engineering, the USB Way">{{cite web|url=http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1|title=Social Engineering, the USB Way|date=7 June 2006|publisher=Light Reading Inc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060713134051/http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1|archive-date=13 July 2006|url-status=dead|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> In this [[attack (computing)|attack]], attackers leave [[malware]]-infected [[floppy disk]]s, [[CD-ROM]]s, or [[USB flash drive]]s in locations people will find them (bathrooms, elevators, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.), give them legitimate and curiosity-piquing labels, and wait for victims. |
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For example, an attacker may create a disk featuring a corporate logo, available from the target's website, and label it "Executive Salary Summary Q2 2012". The attacker then leaves the disk on the floor of an elevator or somewhere in the lobby of the target company. An unknowing employee may find it and insert the disk into a computer to satisfy their curiosity, or a good Samaritan may find it and return it to the company. In any case, just inserting the disk into a computer installs malware, giving attackers access to the victim's PC and, perhaps, the target company's internal [[computer network]]. |
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Unless computer controls block infections, insertion compromises PCs "auto-running" media. Hostile devices can also be used.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://md.hudora.de/presentations/firewire/PacSec2004.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011191205/http://md.hudora.de/presentations/firewire/PacSec2004.pdf |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> For instance, a "lucky winner" is sent a free [[digital audio player]] compromising any computer it is plugged to. A "'''road apple'''" (the colloquial term for horse [[manure]], suggesting the device's undesirable nature) is any [[removable media]] with malicious software left in opportunistic or conspicuous places. It may be a CD, DVD, or [[USB flash drive]], among other media. Curious people take it and plug it into a computer, infecting the host and any attached networks. Again, hackers may give them enticing labels, such as "Employee Salaries" or "Confidential".<ref>{{Cite book|title=Principles of Computer Security, Fourth Edition (Official Comptia Guide)|last1=Conklin|first1=Wm. Arthur|last2=White|first2=Greg|last3=Cothren|first3=Chuck|last4=Davis|first4=Roger|last5=Williams|first5=Dwayne|publisher=McGraw-Hill Education|year=2015|isbn=978-0071835978|location=New York|pages=193–194}}</ref> |
Unless computer controls block infections, insertion compromises PCs "auto-running" media. Hostile devices can also be used.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://md.hudora.de/presentations/firewire/PacSec2004.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011191205/http://md.hudora.de/presentations/firewire/PacSec2004.pdf |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref> For instance, a "lucky winner" is sent a free [[digital audio player]] compromising any computer it is plugged to. A "'''road apple'''" (the colloquial term for horse [[manure]], suggesting the device's undesirable nature) is any [[removable media]] with malicious software left in opportunistic or conspicuous places. It may be a CD, DVD, or [[USB flash drive]], among other media. Curious people take it and plug it into a computer, infecting the host and any attached networks. Again, hackers may give them enticing labels, such as "Employee Salaries" or "Confidential".<ref>{{Cite book|title=Principles of Computer Security, Fourth Edition (Official Comptia Guide)|last1=Conklin|first1=Wm. Arthur|last2=White|first2=Greg|last3=Cothren|first3=Chuck|last4=Davis|first4=Roger|last5=Williams|first5=Dwayne|publisher=McGraw-Hill Education|year=2015|isbn=978-0071835978|location=New York|pages=193–194}}</ref> |
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One study |
One study published in 2016 had researchers drop 297 USB drives around the campus of the University of Illinois. The drives contained files on them that linked to webpages owned by the researchers. The researchers were able to see how many of the drives had files on them opened, but not how many were inserted into a computer without having a file opened. Of the 297 drives that were dropped, 290 (98%) of them were picked up and 135 (45%) of them "called home".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/blogs/bhusa-dropped-usb-experiement/|title=#BHUSA Dropped USB Experiment Detailed|last=Raywood|first=Dan|date=4 August 2016|website=info security|access-date=28 July 2017}}</ref> |
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==Law== |
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===''Quid pro quo''=== |
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In [[common law]], pretexting is an invasion of [[privacy]] tort of appropriation.<ref>Restatement 2d of Torts § 652C.</ref> |
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Quid pro quo means ''something for something'': |
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===Pretexting of telephone records=== |
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*An attacker calls random numbers at a company, claiming to be calling back from technical support. Eventually this person will hit someone with a legitimate problem, grateful that someone is calling back to help them. The attacker will "help" solve the problem and, in the process, have the user type commands that give the attacker access or launch [[malware]]. |
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In December 2006, [[United States Congress]] approved a Senate sponsored bill making the pretexting of telephone records a federal [[felony]] with fines of up to $250,000 and ten years in prison for individuals (or fines of up to $500,000 for companies). It was signed by [[George W. Bush|President George W. Bush]] on 12 January 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4709/|title=Congress outlaws pretexting|work=109th Congress (2005–2006) H.R.4709 – Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006 |year=2007}}</ref> |
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*In a 2003 [[information security]] survey, 91% of office workers gave researchers what they claimed was their [[password]] in answer to a survey question in exchange for a cheap [[pen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/04/18/office_workers_give_away_passwords/|title=Office workers give away passwords|last=Leyden|first=John|date=18 April 2003|work=The Register|access-date=11 April 2012}}</ref> Similar surveys in later years obtained similar results using chocolates and other cheap lures, although they made no attempt to validate the passwords.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3639679.stm|title=Passwords revealed by sweet deal|date=20 April 2004|work=BBC News|access-date=11 April 2012}}</ref> |
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=== |
===Federal legislation=== |
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The 1999 [[Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act]] (GLBA) is a [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Federal]] law that specifically addresses pretexting of banking records as an illegal act punishable under federal statutes. When a business entity such as a private investigator, SIU insurance investigator, or an adjuster conducts any type of deception, it falls under the authority of the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC). This federal agency has the obligation and authority to ensure that consumers are not subjected to any unfair or deceptive business practices. US Federal Trade Commission Act, Section 5 of the [[Federal Trade Commission Act|FTCA]] states, in part: |
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{{Main|Piggybacking (security)}} |
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"Whenever the Commission shall have reason to believe that any such person, partnership, or corporation has been or is using any unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce, and if it shall appear to the Commission that a proceeding by it in respect thereof would be to the interest of the public, it shall issue and serve upon such person, partnership, or corporation a complaint stating its charges in that respect." |
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An attacker, seeking entry to a restricted area secured by unattended, electronic [[access control]], e.g. by [[RFID]] card, simply walks in behind a person who has legitimate access. Following common courtesy, the legitimate person will usually hold the door open for the attacker or the attackers themselves may ask the employee to hold it open for them. The legitimate person may fail to ask for identification for any of several reasons, or may accept an assertion that the attacker has forgotten or lost the appropriate identity token. The attacker may also fake the action of presenting an identity token. |
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The statute states that when someone obtains any personal, non-public information from a financial institution or the consumer, their action is subject to the statute. It relates to the consumer's relationship with the financial institution. For example, a pretexter using false pretenses either to get a consumer's address from the consumer's bank, or to get a consumer to disclose the name of their bank, would be covered. The determining principle is that pretexting only occurs when information is obtained through false pretenses. |
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===Other types=== |
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Common [[confidence trick]]sters or fraudsters also could be considered "social engineers" in the wider sense, in that they deliberately deceive and manipulate people, exploiting human weaknesses to obtain personal benefit. They may, for example, use social engineering techniques as part of an IT fraud. |
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While the sale of cell telephone records has gained significant media attention, and telecommunications records are the focus of the two bills currently before the [[United States Senate]], many other types of private records are being bought and sold in the public market. Alongside many advertisements for cell phone records, wireline records and the records associated with calling cards are advertised. As individuals shift to VoIP telephones, it is safe to assume that those records will be offered for sale as well. Currently, it is legal to sell telephone records, but illegal to obtain them.<ref>Mitnick, K (2002): "The Art of Deception", p. 103 Wiley Publishing Ltd: Indianapolis, Indiana; United States of America. {{ISBN|0-471-23712-4}}</ref> |
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As of the early 2000s, another type of social engineering technique includes spoofing or hacking IDs of people having popular e-mail IDs such as [[Yahoo!]], [[Gmail]], or [[Hotmail]]. Additionally, some spoofing attempts included emails from major online service providers, like [[PayPal]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Email Spoofing – What it Is, How it Works & More - Proofpoint US|url=https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-reference/email-spoofing|access-date=2021-10-11|website=www.proofpoint.com|date=26 February 2021|language=en}}</ref> This led to the "proposed standard" of [[Sender Policy Framework]] RFC 7208 dated April 2014, in combination with [[DMARC]], as means to combat spoofing. Among the many motivations for this deception are: |
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===1st Source Information Specialists=== |
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* [[Phishing]] credit-card account numbers and their passwords. |
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U.S. Rep. [[Fred Upton]] (R-[[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]], Michigan), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, expressed concern over the easy access to personal mobile phone records on the Internet during a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing on "'''Phone Records For Sale:''' ''Why Aren't Phone Records Safe From Pretexting?''" [[Illinois]] became the first state to sue an online records broker when Attorney General Lisa Madigan sued 1st Source Information Specialists, Inc. A spokeswoman for Madigan's office said. The Florida-based company operates several Web sites that sell mobile telephone records, according to a copy of the suit. The attorneys general of Florida and [[Missouri]] quickly followed Madigan's lead, filing suits respectively, against 1st Source Information Specialists and, in Missouri's case, one other records broker – First Data Solutions, Inc. |
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* Cracking private e-mails and chat histories, and manipulating them by using common editing techniques before using them to extort money and creating distrust among individuals. |
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* Cracking websites of companies or organizations and destroying their reputation. |
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* Computer [[virus hoax]]es |
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* Convincing users to run malicious code within the web browser via [[self-XSS]] attack to allow access to their web account |
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Several wireless providers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and Cingular filed earlier lawsuits against records brokers, with Cingular winning an injunction against First Data Solutions and 1st Source Information Specialists. U.S. Senator [[Charles Schumer]] (D-New York) introduced legislation in February 2006 aimed at curbing the practice. The Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006 would create [[felony]] [[Criminal law|criminal]] penalties for stealing and selling the records of mobile phone, [[landline]], and [[Voice over Internet Protocol]] (VoIP) subscribers. |
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Another type is to read sensitive information of unshielded or unprotected Displays and input devices, called [[Shoulder surfing (computer security)|Shoulder surfing]]. |
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=== |
===Hewlett Packard=== |
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[[Patricia C. Dunn|Patricia Dunn]], former chairwoman of [[Hewlett-Packard|Hewlett Packard]], reported that the HP board hired a private investigation company to delve into who was responsible for leaks within the board. Dunn acknowledged that the company used the practice of pretexting to solicit the telephone records of board members and journalists. Chairman Dunn later apologized for this act and offered to step down from the board if it was desired by board members.<ref name="com">[http://news.cnet.com/HP-chairman-Use-of-pretexting-embarrassing/2100-1014_3-6113715.html?tag=nefd.lede HP chairman: Use of pretexting 'embarrassing'] Stephen Shankland, 8 September 2006 1:08 PM PDT ''[[CNET]] News.com''</ref> Unlike Federal law, California law specifically forbids such pretexting. The four felony charges brought on Dunn were dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/Calif.-court-drops-charges-against-Dunn/2100-1014_3-6167187.html|title=Calif. court drops charges against Dunn|date=14 March 2007|publisher=CNET|access-date=11 April 2012}}</ref> |
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Organizations reduce their security risks by: |
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==Notable social engineering incidents== |
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'''Training to Employees''': Training employees in security protocols relevant to their position. (e.g., in situations such as tailgating, if a person's identity cannot be verified, then employees must be trained to politely refuse.) |
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{{Expand section|date=May 2024}} |
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'''Standard Framework''': Establishing frameworks of trust on an employee/personnel level (i.e., specify and train personnel when/where/why/how sensitive information should be handled) |
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===Equifax breach help websites=== |
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'''Scrutinizing Information''': Identifying which information is sensitive and evaluating its exposure to social engineering and breakdowns in security systems (building, computer system, etc.) |
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Following the [[2017 Equifax data breach]] linked to [[China]]'s [[People's Liberation Army]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/four-members-of-china-s-military-indicted-for-massive-equifax-breach-11581346824 | title = Four Members of China's Military Indicted Over Massive Equifax Breach | date= February 11, 2020 | work = [[The Wall Street Journal]] }}</ref> in which over 150 million private records were leaked (including [[Social Security numbers]], and [[drivers license]] numbers, birthdates, etc.), warnings were sent out regarding the dangers of impending security risks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/07/credit-reporting-firm-equifax-says-cybersecurity-incident-could-potentially-affect-143-million-us-consumers.html |title=Credit reporting firm Equifax says data breach could potentially affect 143 million US consumers |date=7 Sep 2018 |publisher=CNBC|access-date=3 May 2024}}</ref> In the day after the establishment of a legitimate help website (equifaxsecurity2017.com) dedicated to people potentially victimized by the breach, 194 malicious domains were reserved from small variations on the URL, capitalizing on the likelihood of people mistyping.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/entertainmentlife/20171001/straight-talk-beware-scams-related-to-equifax-data-breach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206021332/https://www.cantonrep.com/entertainmentlife/20171001/straight-talk-beware-scams-related-to-equifax-data-breach |title=Straight Talk: Beware scams related to Equifax data breach |archive-date=6 Dec 2020 |url-status=dead}} </ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.social-engineer.org/framework/attack-vectors/phishing-attacks-2/ |title=Phishing |website=Security Through Education |publisher=Social-Engineer}}</ref> |
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'''Security Protocols''': Establishing security protocols, policies, and procedures for handling sensitive information. |
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=== 2016 United States Elections Leaks === |
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'''Event Test''': Performing unannounced, periodic tests of the security framework. |
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During the [[2016 United States elections|2016 United States Elections]], hackers associated with [[GRU (Russian Federation)|Russian Military Intelligence (GRU)]] sent phishing emails directed to members of [[Hillary Clinton]]'s campaign, disguised as a Google alert.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-12-27 |title=2016 Presidential Campaign Hacking Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/26/us/2016-presidential-campaign-hacking-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Many members, including the chairman of the campaign, [[John Podesta]], had entered their passwords thinking it would be reset, causing their personal information, and thousands of private emails and documents to be leaked.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-07-13 |title=Office of Public Affairs {{!}} Grand Jury Indicts 12 Russian Intelligence Officers for Hacking Offenses Related to the 2016 Election {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/grand-jury-indicts-12-russian-intelligence-officers-hacking-offenses-related-2016-election |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en}}</ref> With this information, they hacked into other computers in the [[Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee]], implanting malware in them, which caused their computer activities to be monitored and leaked.<ref name=":0" /> |
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=== Google and Facebook phishing emails === |
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'''Inoculation''': Preventing social engineering and other fraudulent tricks or traps by instilling a resistance to persuasion attempts through exposure to similar or related attempts.<ref>Treglia, J., & Delia, M. (2017). [https://its.ny.gov/sites/default/files/documents/joe_treglia_melissa_delia.pdf Cyber Security Inoculation]. Presented at NYS Cyber Security Conference, Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, NY, 3–4 June.</ref> |
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Two tech giants—[[Google]] and [[Facebook]]—were phished out of $100 million by a [[Lithuania]]n fraudster. He impersonated a hardware supplier to falsely invoice both companies over two years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Tom Huddleston |date=2019-03-27 |title=How this scammer used phishing emails to steal over $100 million from Google and Facebook |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/27/phishing-email-scam-stole-100-million-from-facebook-and-google.html |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> Despite their technological sophistication, the companies lost the money.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Famous Phishing Incidents from History {{!}} Hempstead Town, NY |url=https://www.hempsteadny.gov/635/Famous-Phishing-Incidents-from-History |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.hempsteadny.gov}}</ref> |
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=== Sony pictures leak === |
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'''Review''': Reviewing the above steps regularly: no solutions to information integrity are perfect.<ref>Mitnick, K., & Simon, W. (2005). "The Art of Intrusion". Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing.</ref> |
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On [[2014 Sony Pictures hack|24 November 2014]], the [[Hacker (computer security)|hacker]] group "[[Lazarus Group|Guardians of Peace]]"<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sony Pictures Breach: A Deep Dive into a Landmark Cyber Attack - Sep 15, 2023 |url=https://www.frameworksec.com/post/the-sony-pictures-breach-a-deep-dive-into-a-landmark-cyber-attack |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.frameworksec.com |language=en}}</ref> (probably linked to [[North Korea]])<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2014/12/19/sony-the-interview-hackers-gop/20635449/ | title = FBI confirms North Korea behind Sony hack | first1 = Elizabeth | last1 = Weise | first2 = Kevin | last2 = Johnson | work = [[USA Today]] | date = December 19, 2014 | access-date = December 19, 2014 | archive-date = December 19, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141219204906/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2014/12/19/sony-the-interview-hackers-gop/20635449/ | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Internet leak|leaked]] confidential data from the film studio [[Sony Pictures|Sony Pictures Entertainment]]. The data included emails, executive salaries, and employees' personal and family information. The phishers pretended to be high up employees to install malware on workers' computers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous Phishing Incidents from History {{!}} Hempstead Town, NY |url=https://www.hempsteadny.gov/635/Famous-Phishing-Incidents-from-History#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Trade%20Commission%20released,information%20to%20claim%20the%20prize. |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.hempsteadny.gov}}</ref> |
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'''Waste Management''': Using a waste management service that has dumpsters with locks on them, with keys to them limited only to the waste management company and the cleaning staff. Locating the dumpster either in view of employees so that trying to access it carries a risk of being seen or caught, or behind a locked gate or fence where the person must trespass before they can attempt to access the dumpster.<ref>Allsopp, William. Unauthorised access: Physical penetration testing for it security teams. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2009. 240–241.</ref> |
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==The lifecycle of social engineering== |
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#'''[[Information gathering]]''': Information gathering is the first and foremost step of the lifecycle. It requires much patience and keenly watching habits of the victim. This step gathering data about the victim's interests, [[personal information]]. It determines the success rate of the overall attack. |
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#'''Engaging with victim''': After gathering required amount of information, the attacker opens a conversation with the victim smoothly without the victim finding anything inappropriate. |
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#'''Attacking''': This step generally occurs after a long period of engaging with the target and during this information from the target is retrieved by using social engineering. In phase, the attacker gets the results from the target. |
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#'''Closing interaction''': This is the last step which includes slowly shutting down the communication by the attacker without arising any suspicion in the victim. In this way, the motive is fulfilled as well as the victim rarely comes to know the attack even happened.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwinfosec/tag/social-engineering/|title=social engineering – GW Information Security Blog|website=blogs.gwu.edu|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref> |
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==Notable social engineers== |
==Notable social engineers== |
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=== Frank Abagnale Jr. === |
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[[Frank Abagnale|Frank Abagnale Jr.]] is an American security consultant known for his background as a former con man, check forger, and impostor while he was between the ages of 15 and 21. He became one of the most notorious impostors,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P41ij0GoFL4C&q=Abagnale|title=Encyclopedia of White-Collar & Corporate Crime|last=Salinger|first=Lawrence M.|date=2005|publisher=SAGE|isbn=978-0-7619-3004-4|language=en}}</ref> claiming to have assumed no fewer than eight identities, including an airline pilot, a physician, a U.S. Bureau of Prisons agent, and a lawyer. Abagnale escaped from police custody twice (once from a taxiing airliner and once from a U.S. federal penitentiary) before turning 22 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-collar/2008/05/19/how-frank-abagnale-would-swindle-you|title=How Frank Abagnale Would Swindle You|date=17 December 2019|website=U.S. News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130428110005/http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-collar/2008/05/19/how-frank-abagnale-would-swindle-you|archive-date=28 April 2013|access-date=17 December 2019}}</ref> The popular Steven Spielberg movie [[Catch Me If You Can]] is based on his life. |
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===Kevin Mitnick=== |
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[[Kevin Mitnick]] is an American [[computer security]] consultant, author and [[hacker]], best known for his high-profile 1995 arrest and later five-year conviction for various computer and communications-related crimes.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/Pre_96/February95/89.txt.html |title=Kevin Mitnick sentenced to nearly four years in prison; computer hacker ordered to pay restitution to victim companies whose systems were compromised |date=9 August 1999 |publisher=[[United States Attorney's Office]], Central District of California |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613162729/http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/Pre_96/February95/89.txt.html |archive-date=13 June 2013 |
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}}</ref> |
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===Susan Headley=== |
===Susan Headley=== |
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[[Susan Headley]] |
[[Susan Headley]] became involved in [[phreaking]] with [[Kevin Mitnick]] and Lewis de Payne in [[Los Angeles]], but later framed them for erasing the system files at US Leasing after a falling out, leading to Mitnick's first conviction. She retired to professional poker.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hafner|first1=Katie|title=Kevin Mitnick, unplugged|journal=Esquire|date=August 1995|volume=124|issue=2|pages=80(9)|url=http://www.tomandmaria.com/ST297/Readings/mitnick%20esquire.htm}}</ref> |
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=== |
===Mike Ridpath === |
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Mike Ridpath is a security consultant, published author, speaker and previous member of [[w00w00]]. He is well known for developing techniques and tactics for social engineering through [[cold calling]]. He became well known for live demonstrations as well as playing recorded calls after talks where he explained his thought process on what he was doing to get passwords through the phone.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Wa9AwAAQBAJ|title=Social Engineering: Manipulating the human|date=16 May 2013|publisher=Scorpio Net Security Services|isbn=9789351261827 |accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/2548183|title=Mobile Devices and the Military: useful Tool or Significant Threat|journal=Proceedings of the 4th Workshop on Ict Uses in Warfare and the Safeguarding of Peace 2012 (Iwsp 2012) and Journal of Information Warfare |date=|publisher=academia.edu|accessdate=11 May 2013|last1=Niekerk |first1=Brett van }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAb0si2u8eI|title=Social Engineering: Manipulating the human|date=7 October 2011|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/17736407|title=BsidesPDX Track 1 10/07/11 02:52PM, BsidesPDX Track 1 10/07/11 02:52PM BsidesPDX on USTREAM. Conference|date=7 October 2011|publisher=Ustream.tv|accessdate=11 April 2012|archive-date=4 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804183916/http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/17736407|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/170/34997|title=Automated Social Engineering|date=29 September 2011|publisher=BrightTALK|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref> As a child, Ridpath was connected with Badir Brothers and was widely known within the [[phreaking]] and [[Hacker (computer security)|hacking]] community for his articles with popular underground [[ezines]], such as, Phrack, B4B0 and 9x on modifying Oki 900s, blueboxing, [[Broadcast signal intrusion|satellite hacking]] and RCMAC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://revistaie.ase.ro/content/70/01%20-%20Greavu,%20Serban.pdf|title=Social Engineering a General Approach|date=|publisher=Informatica Economica journal|accessdate=11 Jan 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cePEDwAAQBAJ|title=Cyber Crime|date=7 November 2018|publisher=Hays|isbn=9781839473036 |accessdate=11 Jan 2020}}</ref> |
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[[James Linton (hacker)|James Linton]] is a British hacker and social engineer who in 2017 used OSINT and spear phishing techniques to trick a variety of targets over email including the CEOs of Major Banks, and members of the Trump White House Administration. He then went to work in email security where he socially engineered BEC (Business Email Compromise) threat actors to collect specific threat intelligence. |
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===Badir Brothers=== |
===Badir Brothers=== |
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Brothers Ramy, Muzher, and Shadde Badir—all of whom were blind from birth—managed to set up an extensive phone and computer fraud scheme in [[Israel]] in the 1990s using social engineering, voice impersonation, and [[Refreshable |
Brothers Ramy, Muzher, and Shadde Badir—all of whom were blind from birth—managed to set up an extensive phone and computer fraud scheme in [[Israel]] in the 1990s using social engineering, voice impersonation, and [[Refreshable braille display|Braille-display computers]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.02/phreaks_pr.html|title=Wired 12.02: Three Blind Phreaks|date=14 June 1999|magazine=Wired|access-date=11 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://library.nic.in/e-journalNew/Dataquest/Archives/DQNov2012-Oct13/dq_i1_feb13/dq_i1_feb13/64%20-%20Social%20Engineering%20A%20Young%20Hacker's%20Tale.pdf|title=Social Engineering A Young Hacker's Tale.|date=15 February 2013|access-date=13 January 2020|magazine=DATAQUEST}}</ref> |
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===Christopher J. Hadnagy=== |
===Christopher J. Hadnagy=== |
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[[Christopher J. Hadnagy]] is an American social engineer and information technology security consultant. He is best known as an author of 4 books on social engineering and cyber security<ref name="BookAuthority">{{cite web | title=43 Best Social Engineering Books of All Time | website=BookAuthority | url=https://bookauthority.org/books/best-social-engineering-books | access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="rsa">{{cite web |
[[Christopher J. Hadnagy]] is an American social engineer and information technology security consultant. He is best known as an author of 4 books on social engineering and cyber security<ref name="BookAuthority">{{cite web | title=43 Best Social Engineering Books of All Time | website=BookAuthority | url=https://bookauthority.org/books/best-social-engineering-books | access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="rsa">{{cite web | title=Bens Book of the Month Review of Social Engineering The Science of Human Hacking | website=RSA Conference | date=31 August 2018 | url=http://www.rsaconference.com/industry-topics/blog/bens-book-of-the-month-review-of-social-engineering-the-science-of-human-hacking | access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="ethical">{{cite web | title=Book Review: Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking | website=The Ethical Hacker Network | date=26 July 2018 | url=https://www.ethicalhacker.net/features/book-reviews/book-review-social-engineering-the-science-of-human-hacking/ | access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref><ref name="Isaca">{{cite web | last1=Hadnagy | first1=Christopher | last2=Fincher | first2=Michele | title=Phishing Dark Waters: The Offensive and Defensive Sides of Malicious E-mails | website=ISACA | date=22 January 2020 | url=https://www.isaca.org/Journal/archives/2016/volume-2/Pages/phishing-dark-waters-the-offensive-and-defensive-sides-of-malicious-e-mails.aspx | access-date=22 January 2020}}</ref> and founder of Innocent Lives Foundation, an organization that helps tracking and identifying child trafficking by seeking the assistance of information security specialists, using data from open-source intelligence (OSINT) and collaborating with law enforcement.<ref>[https://wtvr.com/2019/09/03/protect-your-kids-from-online-threats/ "WTVR:"Protect Your Kids from Online Threats"]</ref><ref name="[[CNN]]">{{cite news|last=Larson|first=Selena|title=Hacker creates organization to unmask child predators|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/08/14/technology/business/innocent-lives-foundation-hackers-child-predators/index.html |access-date=14 November 2019|publisher=CNN|date=14 August 2017}}</ref> |
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==Law== |
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In [[common law]], pretexting is an invasion of privacy tort of appropriation.<ref>Restatement 2d of Torts § 652C.</ref> |
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===Pretexting of telephone records=== |
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In December 2006, [[United States Congress]] approved a Senate sponsored bill making the pretexting of telephone records a federal [[felony]] with fines of up to $250,000 and ten years in prison for individuals (or fines of up to $500,000 for companies). It was signed by President George W. Bush on 12 January 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4709/|title=Congress outlaws pretexting|work=109th Congress (2005–2006) H.R.4709 – Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006 |year=2007}}</ref> |
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===Federal legislation=== |
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The 1999 [[Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act|"GLBA"]] is a [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Federal]] law that specifically addresses pretexting of banking records as an illegal act punishable under federal statutes. When a business entity such as a private investigator, SIU insurance investigator, or an adjuster conducts any type of deception, it falls under the authority of the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC). This federal agency has the obligation and authority to ensure that consumers are not subjected to any unfair or deceptive business practices. US Federal Trade Commission Act, Section 5 of the [[Federal Trade Commission Act|FTCA]] states, in part: |
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"Whenever the Commission shall have reason to believe that any such person, partnership, or corporation has been or is using any unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce, and if it shall appear to the Commission that a proceeding by it in respect thereof would be to the interest of the public, it shall issue and serve upon such person, partnership, or corporation a complaint stating its charges in that respect." |
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The statute states that when someone obtains any personal, non-public information from a financial institution or the consumer, their action is subject to the statute. It relates to the consumer's relationship with the financial institution. For example, a pretexter using false pretenses either to get a consumer's address from the consumer's bank, or to get a consumer to disclose the name of their bank, would be covered. The determining principle is that pretexting only occurs when information is obtained through false pretenses. |
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While the sale of cell telephone records has gained significant media attention, and telecommunications records are the focus of the two bills currently before the [[United States Senate]], many other types of private records are being bought and sold in the public market. Alongside many advertisements for cell phone records, wireline records and the records associated with calling cards are advertised. As individuals shift to VoIP telephones, it is safe to assume that those records will be offered for sale as well. Currently, it is legal to sell telephone records, but illegal to obtain them.<ref>Mitnick, K (2002): "The Art of Deception", p. 103 Wiley Publishing Ltd: Indianapolis, Indiana; United States of America. {{ISBN|0-471-23712-4}}</ref> |
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===1st Source Information Specialists=== |
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U.S. Rep. [[Fred Upton]] (R-[[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]], Michigan), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, expressed concern over the easy access to personal mobile phone records on the Internet during a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing on "'''Phone Records For Sale:''' ''Why Aren't Phone Records Safe From Pretexting?''" [[Illinois]] became the first state to sue an online records broker when Attorney General Lisa Madigan sued 1st Source Information Specialists, Inc. A spokeswoman for Madigan's office said. The Florida-based company operates several Web sites that sell mobile telephone records, according to a copy of the suit. The attorneys general of Florida and [[Missouri]] quickly followed Madigan's lead, filing suits respectively, against 1st Source Information Specialists and, in Missouri's case, one other records broker – First Data Solutions, Inc. |
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Several wireless providers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and Cingular filed earlier lawsuits against records brokers, with Cingular winning an injunction against First Data Solutions and 1st Source Information Specialists. U.S. Senator [[Charles Schumer]] (D-New York) introduced legislation in February 2006 aimed at curbing the practice. The Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006 would create [[felony]] [[Criminal law|criminal]] penalties for stealing and selling the records of mobile phone, [[landline]], and [[Voice over Internet Protocol]] (VoIP) subscribers. |
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===HP=== |
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[[Patricia C. Dunn|Patricia Dunn]], former chairwoman of Hewlett Packard, reported that the HP board hired a private investigation company to delve into who was responsible for leaks within the board. Dunn acknowledged that the company used the practice of pretexting to solicit the telephone records of board members and journalists. Chairman Dunn later apologized for this act and offered to step down from the board if it was desired by board members.<ref name="com">[http://news.cnet.com/HP-chairman-Use-of-pretexting-embarrassing/2100-1014_3-6113715.html?tag=nefd.lede HP chairman: Use of pretexting 'embarrassing'] Stephen Shankland, 8 September 2006 1:08 PM PDT ''[[CNET]] News.com''</ref> Unlike Federal law, California law specifically forbids such pretexting. The four felony charges brought on Dunn were dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/Calif.-court-drops-charges-against-Dunn/2100-1014_3-6167187.html|title=Calif. court drops charges against Dunn|date=14 March 2007|publisher=CNET|access-date=11 April 2012}}</ref> |
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==Preventive measures== |
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Taking some precautions reduce the risk of being a victim to social engineering frauds. The precautions that can be made are as follows: |
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* Be aware of offers that seem "Too good to be true". |
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* Use multifactor authentication. |
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* Avoid clicking on attachments from unknown sources. |
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* Not giving out personal information to anyone via email, phone, or text messages. |
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* Use of [[spam filter]] software. |
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* Avoid befriending people that you do not know in real life. |
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* Teach kids to contact a trusted adult in case they are being bullied over the internet ([[cyberbullying]]) or feel [[threatened]] by anything online.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/social-engineering-attack/|title=What is Social Engineering {{!}} Attack Techniques & Prevention Methods {{!}} Imperva|website=Learning Center|language=en-US|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Advance-fee scam]] |
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* {{annotated link|Certified Social Engineering Prevention Specialist}} (CSEPS) |
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* {{annotated link|Code Shikara}} |
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* {{annotated link|Confidence trick}} |
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* {{annotated link|Countermeasure (computer)}} |
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* {{annotated link|Cyber-HUMINT}} |
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* {{annotated link|Cyberheist}} |
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* {{annotated link|Inoculation theory}} |
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* {{annotated link|Internet Security Awareness Training}} |
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* {{annotated link|IT risk}} |
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* {{annotated link|Media prank}}s, which often use similar tactics (though usually not for criminal purposes) |
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* {{annotated link|Penetration test}} |
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* {{annotated link|Phishing}} |
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* {{annotated link|Physical information security}} |
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* {{annotated link|Piggybacking (security)}} |
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* {{annotated link|SMS phishing}} |
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* {{annotated link|Threat (computer)}} |
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* {{annotated link|Voice phishing}} |
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* {{annotated link|Vulnerability (computing)}} |
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*[[Cyber security awareness]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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| Line 235: | Line 95: | ||
* Laribee, Lena. June 2006 ''[http://faculty.nps.edu/ncrowe/oldstudents/laribeethesis.htm Development of methodical social engineering taxonomy project]'' Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School. |
* Laribee, Lena. June 2006 ''[http://faculty.nps.edu/ncrowe/oldstudents/laribeethesis.htm Development of methodical social engineering taxonomy project]'' Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School. |
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* Leyden, John. 18 April 2003. ''[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/04/18/office_workers_give_away_passwords/ Office workers give away passwords for a cheap pen]''. [[The Register]]. Retrieved 2004-09-09. |
* Leyden, John. 18 April 2003. ''[https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/04/18/office_workers_give_away_passwords/ Office workers give away passwords for a cheap pen]''. [[The Register]]. Retrieved 2004-09-09. |
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* [[Johnny Long|Long, Johnny]]. (2008). ''No Tech Hacking – A Guide to Social Engineering, Dumpster Diving, and Shoulder Surfing'' Published by Syngress Publishing Inc. {{ISBN|978-1-59749-215-7}} |
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* Mann, Ian. (2008). ''Hacking the Human: Social Engineering Techniques and Security Countermeasures'' Published by Gower Publishing Ltd. {{ISBN|0-566-08773-1}} or {{ISBN|978-0-566-08773-8}} |
* Mann, Ian. (2008). ''Hacking the Human: Social Engineering Techniques and Security Countermeasures'' Published by Gower Publishing Ltd. {{ISBN|0-566-08773-1}} or {{ISBN|978-0-566-08773-8}} |
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* [[Kevin Mitnick|Mitnick, Kevin]], [[Alexis Kasperavičius|Kasperavičius, Alexis]]. (2004). ''[[CSEPS]] Course Workbook''. Mitnick Security Publishing. <!-- Is there an ISBN? --> |
* [[Kevin Mitnick|Mitnick, Kevin]], [[Alexis Kasperavičius|Kasperavičius, Alexis]]. (2004). ''[[CSEPS]] Course Workbook''. Mitnick Security Publishing. <!-- Is there an ISBN? --> |
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| Line 241: | Line 100: | ||
* Hadnagy, Christopher, (2011) ''Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking'' Published by Wiley. {{ISBN|0-470-63953-9}} |
* Hadnagy, Christopher, (2011) ''Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking'' Published by Wiley. {{ISBN|0-470-63953-9}} |
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* N.J. Evans. (2009). "Information Technology Social Engineering: An Academic Definition and Study of Social Engineering-Analyzing the Human Firewall." Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 10709. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/10709 |
* N.J. Evans. (2009). "Information Technology Social Engineering: An Academic Definition and Study of Social Engineering-Analyzing the Human Firewall." Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 10709. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/10709 |
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* Z. Wang, L. Sun and H. Zhu. (2020) "Defining Social Engineering in Cybersecurity," in IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 85094-85115, doi: |
* Z. Wang, L. Sun and H. Zhu. (2020) "Defining Social Engineering in Cybersecurity," in IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 85094-85115, [[doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2992807]]. |
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{{refend}} |
{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Social engineering (security)}} |
{{Commons category|Social engineering (security)}} |
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*[ |
*[https://community.broadcom.com/symantecenterprise/communities/community-home/librarydocuments/viewdocument?DocumentKey=891b1f29-e2e7-4484-89c0-a2137ee82f8b&CommunityKey=1ecf5f55-9545-44d6-b0f4-4e4a7f5f5e68&tab=librarydocuments Social Engineering Fundamentals] – ''Securityfocus.com''. Retrieved 3 August 2009. |
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*{{cite web |url=http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060713134051/http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1 |archive-date=13 July 2006 |title=Social Engineering, the USB Way |publisher=Light Reading Inc |date=7 June 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2014}} |
*{{cite web |url=http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060713134051/http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=95556&WT.svl=column1_1 |archive-date=13 July 2006 |title=Social Engineering, the USB Way |publisher=Light Reading Inc |date=7 June 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 April 2014}} |
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*[http://www.darknet.org.uk/2006/03/should-social-engineering-a-part-of-penetration-testing/ Should Social Engineering be a part of Penetration Testing?] – ''Darknet.org.uk''. Retrieved 3 August 2009. |
*[http://www.darknet.org.uk/2006/03/should-social-engineering-a-part-of-penetration-testing/ Should Social Engineering be a part of Penetration Testing?] – ''Darknet.org.uk''. Retrieved 3 August 2009. |
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*[http://www.epic.org/privacy/iei/sencomtest2806.html "Protecting Consumers' Phone Records"], [[Electronic Privacy Information Center]] ''US Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation'' |
*[http://www.epic.org/privacy/iei/sencomtest2806.html "Protecting Consumers' Phone Records"], [[Electronic Privacy Information Center]] ''US Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation''. Retrieved 8 February 2006. |
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*Plotkin, Hal. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012064802/http://www.plotkin.com/blog-archives/2006/09/memo_to_the_pre.html Memo to the Press: Pretexting is Already Illegal]. Retrieved 9 September 2006. |
*Plotkin, Hal. [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012064802/http://www.plotkin.com/blog-archives/2006/09/memo_to_the_pre.html Memo to the Press: Pretexting is Already Illegal]. Retrieved 9 September 2006. |
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{{Information security}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Social Engineering - Information Security}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Social Engineering - Information Security}} |
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[[Category:Social engineering ( |
[[Category:Social engineering (security)| ]] |
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[[Category:Cybercrime]] |
[[Category:Cybercrime]] |
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[[Category:Deception]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:07, 14 December 2024
In the context of information security, social engineering is the psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. A type of confidence trick for the purpose of information gathering, fraud, or system access, it differs from a traditional "con" in the sense that it is often one of the many steps in a more complex fraud scheme.[1] It has also been defined as "any act that influences a person to take an action that may or may not be in their best interests."[2]
Research done in 2020 has indicated that social engineering will be one of the most prominent challenges of the upcoming decade. Having proficiency in social engineering will be increasingly important for organizations and countries, due to the impact on geopolitics as well. Social engineering raises the question of whether our decisions will be accurately informed if our primary information is engineered and biased.[3]
Social engineering attacks have been increasing in intensity and number, cementing the need for novel detection techniques and cyber security educational programs.[4]
Techniques and terms
[edit]All social engineering techniques are based on human nature of a human humanity decision-making known as cognitive biases.[5][6]
One example of social engineering is an individual who walks into a building and posts an official-looking announcement to the company bulletin that says the number for the help desk has changed. So, when employees call for help the individual asks them for their passwords and IDs thereby gaining the ability to access the company's private information. Another example of social engineering would be that the hacker contacts the target on a social networking site and starts a conversation with the target. Gradually the hacker gains the trust of the target and then uses that trust to get access to sensitive information like password or bank account details.[7]
Pretexting
[edit]Pretexting (adj. pretextual), also known in the UK as blagging,[8] is the act of creating and using an invented scenario (the pretext) to engage a targeted victim in a manner that increases the chance the victim will divulge information or perform actions that would be unlikely in ordinary circumstances.[9] An elaborate lie, it most often involves some prior research or setup and the use of this information for impersonation (e.g., date of birth, Social Security number, last bill amount) to establish legitimacy in the mind of the target.[10]
Water holing
[edit]Water holing is a targeted social engineering strategy that capitalizes on the trust users have in websites they regularly visit. The victim feels safe to do things they would not do in a different situation. A wary person might, for example, purposefully avoid clicking a link in an unsolicited email, but the same person would not hesitate to follow a link on a website they often visit. So, the attacker prepares a trap for the unwary prey at a favored watering hole. This strategy has been successfully used to gain access to some (supposedly) very secure systems.[11]
Baiting
[edit]Baiting is like the real-world Trojan horse that uses physical media and relies on the curiosity or greed of the victim.[12] In this attack, attackers leave malware-infected floppy disks, CD-ROMs, or USB flash drives in locations people will find them (bathrooms, elevators, sidewalks, parking lots, etc.), give them legitimate and curiosity-piquing labels, and wait for victims.
Unless computer controls block infections, insertion compromises PCs "auto-running" media. Hostile devices can also be used.[13] For instance, a "lucky winner" is sent a free digital audio player compromising any computer it is plugged to. A "road apple" (the colloquial term for horse manure, suggesting the device's undesirable nature) is any removable media with malicious software left in opportunistic or conspicuous places. It may be a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, among other media. Curious people take it and plug it into a computer, infecting the host and any attached networks. Again, hackers may give them enticing labels, such as "Employee Salaries" or "Confidential".[14]
One study published in 2016 had researchers drop 297 USB drives around the campus of the University of Illinois. The drives contained files on them that linked to webpages owned by the researchers. The researchers were able to see how many of the drives had files on them opened, but not how many were inserted into a computer without having a file opened. Of the 297 drives that were dropped, 290 (98%) of them were picked up and 135 (45%) of them "called home".[15]
Law
[edit]In common law, pretexting is an invasion of privacy tort of appropriation.[16]
Pretexting of telephone records
[edit]In December 2006, United States Congress approved a Senate sponsored bill making the pretexting of telephone records a federal felony with fines of up to $250,000 and ten years in prison for individuals (or fines of up to $500,000 for companies). It was signed by President George W. Bush on 12 January 2007.[17]
Federal legislation
[edit]The 1999 Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) is a U.S. Federal law that specifically addresses pretexting of banking records as an illegal act punishable under federal statutes. When a business entity such as a private investigator, SIU insurance investigator, or an adjuster conducts any type of deception, it falls under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This federal agency has the obligation and authority to ensure that consumers are not subjected to any unfair or deceptive business practices. US Federal Trade Commission Act, Section 5 of the FTCA states, in part: "Whenever the Commission shall have reason to believe that any such person, partnership, or corporation has been or is using any unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce, and if it shall appear to the Commission that a proceeding by it in respect thereof would be to the interest of the public, it shall issue and serve upon such person, partnership, or corporation a complaint stating its charges in that respect."
The statute states that when someone obtains any personal, non-public information from a financial institution or the consumer, their action is subject to the statute. It relates to the consumer's relationship with the financial institution. For example, a pretexter using false pretenses either to get a consumer's address from the consumer's bank, or to get a consumer to disclose the name of their bank, would be covered. The determining principle is that pretexting only occurs when information is obtained through false pretenses.
While the sale of cell telephone records has gained significant media attention, and telecommunications records are the focus of the two bills currently before the United States Senate, many other types of private records are being bought and sold in the public market. Alongside many advertisements for cell phone records, wireline records and the records associated with calling cards are advertised. As individuals shift to VoIP telephones, it is safe to assume that those records will be offered for sale as well. Currently, it is legal to sell telephone records, but illegal to obtain them.[18]
1st Source Information Specialists
[edit]U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Kalamazoo, Michigan), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, expressed concern over the easy access to personal mobile phone records on the Internet during a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing on "Phone Records For Sale: Why Aren't Phone Records Safe From Pretexting?" Illinois became the first state to sue an online records broker when Attorney General Lisa Madigan sued 1st Source Information Specialists, Inc. A spokeswoman for Madigan's office said. The Florida-based company operates several Web sites that sell mobile telephone records, according to a copy of the suit. The attorneys general of Florida and Missouri quickly followed Madigan's lead, filing suits respectively, against 1st Source Information Specialists and, in Missouri's case, one other records broker – First Data Solutions, Inc.
Several wireless providers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and Cingular filed earlier lawsuits against records brokers, with Cingular winning an injunction against First Data Solutions and 1st Source Information Specialists. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) introduced legislation in February 2006 aimed at curbing the practice. The Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006 would create felony criminal penalties for stealing and selling the records of mobile phone, landline, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscribers.
Hewlett Packard
[edit]Patricia Dunn, former chairwoman of Hewlett Packard, reported that the HP board hired a private investigation company to delve into who was responsible for leaks within the board. Dunn acknowledged that the company used the practice of pretexting to solicit the telephone records of board members and journalists. Chairman Dunn later apologized for this act and offered to step down from the board if it was desired by board members.[19] Unlike Federal law, California law specifically forbids such pretexting. The four felony charges brought on Dunn were dismissed.[20]
Notable social engineering incidents
[edit]![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2024) |
Equifax breach help websites
[edit]Following the 2017 Equifax data breach linked to China's People's Liberation Army[21] in which over 150 million private records were leaked (including Social Security numbers, and drivers license numbers, birthdates, etc.), warnings were sent out regarding the dangers of impending security risks.[22] In the day after the establishment of a legitimate help website (equifaxsecurity2017.com) dedicated to people potentially victimized by the breach, 194 malicious domains were reserved from small variations on the URL, capitalizing on the likelihood of people mistyping.[23][24]
2016 United States Elections Leaks
[edit]During the 2016 United States Elections, hackers associated with Russian Military Intelligence (GRU) sent phishing emails directed to members of Hillary Clinton's campaign, disguised as a Google alert.[25] Many members, including the chairman of the campaign, John Podesta, had entered their passwords thinking it would be reset, causing their personal information, and thousands of private emails and documents to be leaked.[26] With this information, they hacked into other computers in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, implanting malware in them, which caused their computer activities to be monitored and leaked.[26]
Google and Facebook phishing emails
[edit]Two tech giants—Google and Facebook—were phished out of $100 million by a Lithuanian fraudster. He impersonated a hardware supplier to falsely invoice both companies over two years.[27] Despite their technological sophistication, the companies lost the money.[28]
Sony pictures leak
[edit]On 24 November 2014, the hacker group "Guardians of Peace"[29] (probably linked to North Korea)[30] leaked confidential data from the film studio Sony Pictures Entertainment. The data included emails, executive salaries, and employees' personal and family information. The phishers pretended to be high up employees to install malware on workers' computers.[31]
Notable social engineers
[edit]Susan Headley
[edit]Susan Headley became involved in phreaking with Kevin Mitnick and Lewis de Payne in Los Angeles, but later framed them for erasing the system files at US Leasing after a falling out, leading to Mitnick's first conviction. She retired to professional poker.[32]
Mike Ridpath
[edit]Mike Ridpath is a security consultant, published author, speaker and previous member of w00w00. He is well known for developing techniques and tactics for social engineering through cold calling. He became well known for live demonstrations as well as playing recorded calls after talks where he explained his thought process on what he was doing to get passwords through the phone.[33][34][35][36][37] As a child, Ridpath was connected with Badir Brothers and was widely known within the phreaking and hacking community for his articles with popular underground ezines, such as, Phrack, B4B0 and 9x on modifying Oki 900s, blueboxing, satellite hacking and RCMAC.[38][39]
Badir Brothers
[edit]Brothers Ramy, Muzher, and Shadde Badir—all of whom were blind from birth—managed to set up an extensive phone and computer fraud scheme in Israel in the 1990s using social engineering, voice impersonation, and Braille-display computers.[40][41]
Christopher J. Hadnagy
[edit]Christopher J. Hadnagy is an American social engineer and information technology security consultant. He is best known as an author of 4 books on social engineering and cyber security[42][43][44][45] and founder of Innocent Lives Foundation, an organization that helps tracking and identifying child trafficking by seeking the assistance of information security specialists, using data from open-source intelligence (OSINT) and collaborating with law enforcement.[46][47]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Anderson, Ross J. (2008). Security engineering: a guide to building dependable distributed systems (2 ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Wiley. p. 1040. ISBN 978-0-470-06852-6. Chapter 2, page 17
- ^ "Social Engineering Defined". Security Through Education. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ^ Guitton, Matthieu J. (1 June 2020). "Cybersecurity, social engineering, artificial intelligence, technological addictions: Societal challenges for the coming decade". Computers in Human Behavior. 107: 106307. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2020.106307. ISSN 0747-5632. S2CID 214111644.
- ^ Salahdine, Fatima (2019). "Social Engineering Attacks: A Survey". School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of North Dakota. 11 (4): 89.
- ^ Jaco, K: "CSEPS Course Workbook" (2004), unit 3, Jaco Security Publishing.
- ^ Kirdemir, Baris (2019). "HOSTILE INFLUENCE AND EMERGING COGNITIVE THREATS IN CYBERSPACE". Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies.
- ^ Hatfield, Joseph M (June 2019). "Virtuous human hacking: The ethics of social engineering in penetration-testing". Computers & Security. 83: 354–366. doi:10.1016/j.cose.2019.02.012. S2CID 86565713.
- ^ "Fundamentals of cyber security". BBC Bitesize. 19 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ The story of HP pretexting scandal with discussion is available at Davani, Faraz (14 August 2011). "HP Pretexting Scandal by Faraz Davani". Retrieved 15 August 2011 – via Scribd.
- ^ "Pretexting: Your Personal Information Revealed", Federal Trade Commission
- ^ "Chinese Espionage Campaign Compromises Forbes.com to Target US Defense, Financial Services Companies in Watering Hole Style Attack". invincea.com. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ "Social Engineering, the USB Way". Light Reading Inc. 7 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Conklin, Wm. Arthur; White, Greg; Cothren, Chuck; Davis, Roger; Williams, Dwayne (2015). Principles of Computer Security, Fourth Edition (Official Comptia Guide). New York: McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 193–194. ISBN 978-0071835978.
- ^ Raywood, Dan (4 August 2016). "#BHUSA Dropped USB Experiment Detailed". info security. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- ^ Restatement 2d of Torts § 652C.
- ^ "Congress outlaws pretexting". 109th Congress (2005–2006) H.R.4709 – Telephone Records and Privacy Protection Act of 2006. 2007.
- ^ Mitnick, K (2002): "The Art of Deception", p. 103 Wiley Publishing Ltd: Indianapolis, Indiana; United States of America. ISBN 0-471-23712-4
- ^ HP chairman: Use of pretexting 'embarrassing' Stephen Shankland, 8 September 2006 1:08 PM PDT CNET News.com
- ^ "Calif. court drops charges against Dunn". CNET. 14 March 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Four Members of China's Military Indicted Over Massive Equifax Breach". The Wall Street Journal. 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Credit reporting firm Equifax says data breach could potentially affect 143 million US consumers". CNBC. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Straight Talk: Beware scams related to Equifax data breach". Archived from the original on 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Phishing". Security Through Education. Social-Engineer.
- ^ "2016 Presidential Campaign Hacking Fast Facts". CNN. 27 December 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Office of Public Affairs | Grand Jury Indicts 12 Russian Intelligence Officers for Hacking Offenses Related to the 2016 Election | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Jr, Tom Huddleston (27 March 2019). "How this scammer used phishing emails to steal over $100 million from Google and Facebook". CNBC. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Famous Phishing Incidents from History | Hempstead Town, NY". www.hempsteadny.gov. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "The Sony Pictures Breach: A Deep Dive into a Landmark Cyber Attack - Sep 15, 2023". www.frameworksec.com. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Weise, Elizabeth; Johnson, Kevin (19 December 2014). "FBI confirms North Korea behind Sony hack". USA Today. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ "Famous Phishing Incidents from History | Hempstead Town, NY". www.hempsteadny.gov. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
- ^ Hafner, Katie (August 1995). "Kevin Mitnick, unplugged". Esquire. 124 (2): 80(9).
- ^ Social Engineering: Manipulating the human. Scorpio Net Security Services. 16 May 2013. ISBN 9789351261827. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ Niekerk, Brett van. "Mobile Devices and the Military: useful Tool or Significant Threat". Proceedings of the 4th Workshop on Ict Uses in Warfare and the Safeguarding of Peace 2012 (Iwsp 2012) and Journal of Information Warfare. academia.edu. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ "Social Engineering: Manipulating the human". YouTube. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "BsidesPDX Track 1 10/07/11 02:52PM, BsidesPDX Track 1 10/07/11 02:52PM BsidesPDX on USTREAM. Conference". Ustream.tv. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Automated Social Engineering". BrightTALK. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Social Engineering a General Approach" (PDF). Informatica Economica journal. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "Cyber Crime". Hays. 7 November 2018. ISBN 9781839473036. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ^ "Wired 12.02: Three Blind Phreaks". Wired. 14 June 1999. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Social Engineering A Young Hacker's Tale" (PDF). DATAQUEST. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "43 Best Social Engineering Books of All Time". BookAuthority. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "Bens Book of the Month Review of Social Engineering The Science of Human Hacking". RSA Conference. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "Book Review: Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking". The Ethical Hacker Network. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ Hadnagy, Christopher; Fincher, Michele (22 January 2020). "Phishing Dark Waters: The Offensive and Defensive Sides of Malicious E-mails". ISACA. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ^ "WTVR:"Protect Your Kids from Online Threats"
- ^ Larson, Selena (14 August 2017). "Hacker creates organization to unmask child predators". CNN. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
Further reading
[edit]- Boyington, Gregory. (1990). 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' Published by Gregory Boyington ISBN 0-553-26350-1
- Harley, David. 1998 Re-Floating the Titanic: Dealing with Social Engineering Attacks EICAR Conference.
- Laribee, Lena. June 2006 Development of methodical social engineering taxonomy project Master's Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School.
- Leyden, John. 18 April 2003. Office workers give away passwords for a cheap pen. The Register. Retrieved 2004-09-09.
- Mann, Ian. (2008). Hacking the Human: Social Engineering Techniques and Security Countermeasures Published by Gower Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-566-08773-1 or ISBN 978-0-566-08773-8
- Mitnick, Kevin, Kasperavičius, Alexis. (2004). CSEPS Course Workbook. Mitnick Security Publishing.
- Mitnick, Kevin, Simon, William L., Wozniak, Steve,. (2002). The Art of Deception: Controlling the Human Element of Security Published by Wiley. ISBN 0-471-23712-4 or ISBN 0-7645-4280-X
- Hadnagy, Christopher, (2011) Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking Published by Wiley. ISBN 0-470-63953-9
- N.J. Evans. (2009). "Information Technology Social Engineering: An Academic Definition and Study of Social Engineering-Analyzing the Human Firewall." Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 10709. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/10709
- Z. Wang, L. Sun and H. Zhu. (2020) "Defining Social Engineering in Cybersecurity," in IEEE Access, vol. 8, pp. 85094-85115, doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2992807.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Social engineering (security).
- Social Engineering Fundamentals – Securityfocus.com. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- "Social Engineering, the USB Way". Light Reading Inc. 7 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- Should Social Engineering be a part of Penetration Testing? – Darknet.org.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- "Protecting Consumers' Phone Records", Electronic Privacy Information Center US Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Retrieved 8 February 2006.
- Plotkin, Hal. Memo to the Press: Pretexting is Already Illegal. Retrieved 9 September 2006.
