It is striking that in the midst of the digital age, when we talk about cybersecurity, the premise immediately arises that users are considered the weakest link of the chain against cybercrime. However, it is in our hands to transform this “weakness” into an opportunity to become the strongest link.
The latest known cyberattacks in Chile and the rest of the world have set off alarms and forced the strengthening of security measures to prevent them. However, despite all the warnings, these illegals continue to occur. Why do thousands of people every day continue to rely on dubious content and remain the main gateway to cybercrime?
If there is one thing that all cyberattacks have in common is that they use human nature for their benefit and take advantage of our fears, curiosities and even our desire to help others. This type of manipulation (human or automated) is known in security as social engineering.
This is a key tool used by cybercriminals in more than 90% of their attacks, and it has proven to be very successful in requisitioning our information, manipulating emails, messages, phone calls; and monitoring social media to understand our digital habits. For what purpose? connect with our emotions, interests and personal needs, in order, in this way, to make us rely on a simple email.
Evidence of this is Verizon’s latest Data Breach 2020 (DBIR) report highlighting that attack actions came in 96% by email, while 3% went through a website and more than 1% were associated with phone or SMS.
To avoid being victims of these cybercriminals, there are three types of behaviors that we need to identify.
First of all, the pretext. They will develop a false but reliable identity. The cybercriminal could simulate, for example, being an executive of a financial institution, using the personal information collected and a context such as the delivery of bonds or benefits resulting from the pandemic.
The second step will be for us to take your attention and here we should be able to detect important details when we interact. Let us ask ourselves, does it make sense for this person to contact me at this time and in this way? Do you have the powers to give me what you offer: prize, credits, bonuses or others?
As a final step, criminals will seek to build relationships creating a sense of comfort and harmony, demonstrating a genuine intention to help in an emergency situation. The question we must answer is is is that a stranger cares so much about our personal or family situation?
If we pay attention to these points, we will see that many scammers are trying to build the pretext, linking a need and thus using psychological influences. As we do not fall into your attempts, do not hand over personal information and become more aware of these situations, digital users will become the strongest link in the chain.
The content poured into this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
