Groups that are Most Vulnerable to Social Engineering Scams

Many people are uneducated about electronic security and expose themselves to social
engineering scams or phishing. Scams may appear as bait, such as a flash disk which is
preloaded with malware, click-jacking where user unintentionally gives out personal information
by clicking prompt buttons. Pharming redirects users to scam websites (FBI, 2016). Other
methods include responding to an innocent email or an irresistible topic, replying to unconfirmed
IRS forms, bank account update, and online job offer (Norton.com, 2016). Only three percent of
attacks are technical, but 97 percent of attacks target the users themselves by manipulating their
psychology (Lord, 2015).
To avoid being phished, users should vet all inbound communication using a firewall and
antivirus program. Do not share password and bank account details (Lord, 2015). Ignore
unsolicited mail with offers. Be safe from click-jacking by not clicking answer buttons, and
lingering around suspicious websites. Avoid pharming by typing out web links instead of
copying them (FBI, 2016).
Secure all your data devices from unauthorized access. If the mail, call, or text sound
suspicious then cut and recall them yourself. Ignore all pop-up menus and instead, search for
their identities. A genuine business person does not use odd names and pictures in their social
media accounts (FBI, 2016). Ignore pop-up messages and live by company policy on data
communication (Lord, 2015). A new scam is “ransomware”, when uploaded, locks down the
storage until a ransom fee is paid. Make regular backups of your crucial data (OnGuardOnline,
2016).
What do you expect when you “accept” a lottery win that you did not play” When a deal
is too good, think twice. Do you have a personal philosophy on how to use your communication
devices? The longer you communicate the higher the risk of being scammed. Who do you turn to
when you need help with your ATM card or a blocked SIM card? Do not take the help of a total
stranger a stranger (OnGuardOnline, 2016).

SOCIAL ENGINEERING SCAMS 2

Works Cited

FBI,. (2016). Internet Social Networking Risks. FBI. Retrieved 28 February 2016, from
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/counterintelligence/internet-social-networking-risks
Lord, N. (2015). Social Engineering Attacks: Common Techniques & How to Prevent an Attack.
Digitalgurardian.com. Retrieved 28 February 2016, from –
https://digitalguardian.com/blog/social-engineering-attacks-common-techniques-how-prevent-
attack
Norton.com,. (2016). Phishing – Antiphishing Protection. Us.norton.com. Retrieved 28 February
2016, from http://us.norton.com/security_response/phishing.jsp
OnGuardOnline,. (2016). Phishing | OnGuard Online. Onguardonline.gov. Retrieved 28 February
2016, from https://www.onguardonline.gov/phishing