Social Engineering – Examples & How to Protect Your Business
- Juraj
- 7 February 2025
What is Social Engineering? (Quick Definition)
Social engineering is a cybersecurity attack technique that manipulates individuals into revealing sensitive information, performing actions, or granting unauthorized access. Instead of exploiting technical vulnerabilities, attackers exploit human psychology through deception, urgency, or authority. Common forms include phishing, pretexting, and baiting.
🚨 Common Examples & Usecases of Social Engineering
| Category | Example Attack Phrases & Tactics | 🚨 Warning Signs |
|---|---|---|
| 🔥 Urgent Requests | “Your account is locked! Reset now!” | Creates panic & forces quick action |
| 📩 Fake Login Pages | “Verify your password to continue.” | URL appears slightly different |
| 📞 Impersonation Calls | “This is IT support, share your login.” | Caller demands sensitive info |
| 🎁 Baiting | “Free gift card! Click here to claim.” | Offer seems too good to be true |
| 👤 Pretexting | “I’m your new vendor. Can you update payment details?” | Unexpected request from an unknown sender |
🛑 How Social Engineering Works (Step-by-Step Example)
Social engineering attacks typically follow these steps:
- Research & Targeting – Attackers gather information about their target through social media, public records, or previous breaches.
- Building Trust – The attacker impersonates a trusted entity (e.g., a boss, IT support, or a bank representative) to establish credibility.
- Exploiting Emotions – Using urgency, fear, or curiosity, the attacker persuades the victim to take an action (e.g., clicking a link, sharing login credentials, or sending money).
- Execution & Compromise – Once the victim complies, attackers gain access to sensitive systems or data, leading to fraud, data breaches, or malware infections.
Why is This Important for Small Businesses & SOHOs?
Small businesses are prime targets for social engineering attacks due to limited cybersecurity resources and less formal security training. A single compromised account can lead to financial loss, data breaches, or legal liabilities. Compliance with cybersecurity regulations like GDPR and NIST standards requires strong employee awareness. Implementing security training and multi-layered defenses can mitigate risks.
✅ How to Protect Your Business from Social Engineering
🔹 Employee Training – Conduct regular awareness training to recognize phishing and impersonation attempts.
🔹 Verification Procedures – Always confirm sensitive requests through a second communication channel (e.g., call the sender directly).
🔹 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Enforce MFA to prevent unauthorized access even if credentials are stolen.
🔹 Email Filtering & Anti-Phishing Tools – Use advanced security tools to detect and block malicious emails.
🔹 Least Privilege Access – Limit employee access to critical systems based on necessity.
🔹Incident Response Plan – Have a clear action plan for reporting and handling suspected attacks.
❓ FAQs
🔹 What are the most common social engineering tactics used against SMBs? Phishing emails, fake invoices, and CEO fraud (impersonating company executives) are among the most frequent attacks targeting small businesses.
🔹 How can SMBs train employees to recognize social engineering threats? Regular security awareness training, simulated phishing tests, and clear reporting procedures help employees identify and respond to threats effectively.
🔹 Can social engineering be prevented entirely? While no solution is 100% foolproof, strong security awareness, layered defenses, and strict access controls significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to social engineering attacks.
🔗 Related Terms
Additional Resources
📺 Recommended Video: What is Social Engineering?