Top Tips to Protect Against Social Engineering Attacks

Every year, millions of attacks are successfully carried out against businesses like yours. It’s important to know what you’re up against and how to protect yourself.

The most common social engineering tactic is phishing, often coupled with a strategy of pretexting. By gaining the trust of the victim, hackers are able to lure them into giving out sensitive personal information. Also, be on the lookout for baiting, in which attackers offer free downloads, such as movies or e-books, and demand personal information from the victim.

The best tools against phishing are online filters that automatically detect phishing scams, security programs, antivirus programs and education on best online practices. It should be obvious to your employees that giving out personal or company information is something they should never ever do outside of trusted sites that they can confirm are genuine. SmallBizTrends.com, 2/28/2019

Thanks to SmallBizTrends.com for this update. Now our twist on this – when it comes to email and which ones to open or click through, your staff need to take a lesson from your receptionist. Very few sales people can get past the front receptionist; they’re very good at weeding out the sales calls. It’s time to apply that same mentality to reviewing email; better to delete something and have to apologize later than to ‘hope’ it’s OK and suffer the consequences. Don’t give little details just to get a ‘free’ e-book; be on guard for yourself and for your staff. Don’t share personal information. We teach our children to run away from someone offering free candy; don’t take the bait! Any questions, let us know! – CMW