Today, the cybersecurity industry focuses a lot more on complicated solutions and tools. Companies are always looking to improve their security measures with the latest technologies. However, attackers often choose the simplest ways to attack. They use the easiest path because it works best. This idea follows Occam’s Razor, which means the simplest solution is usually the best.
Attackers target people because it’s one of the easiest ways to break security measures. No matter how advanced the technology is, it’s people who have access to this technology. Simple social engineering uses human nature to achieve its goals, making it a strong tool for cyber criminals.
Real-World Effectiveness of Simple Attacks
Simple methods like vishing (voice phishing) or combined attacks work well in real-life situations. For example, in a recent “hybrid” client attack simulation, a phishing email looked like an internal support ticket. It directed the target to call a phone number, which led to getting sensitive information, such as login credentials and MFA codes. This basic, straightforward approach caused almost everyone who called the number to give up most of their sensitive corporate information.
What’s even more striking is that many of these individuals provided their usernames, passwords, and MFA codes, with little to no hesitation. This highlights not only the effectiveness of a hybrid approach, but also reveals the inherent trust employees place in familiar-sounding requests. When employees commit to initiating the phone call, they feel a sense of obligation to follow through with the requests made during the call. This perceived commitment makes them likely to comply with further requests to disclose information over the duration of the call.
Statistics support this trend. According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 68% of breaches involved a non-malicious human element. This shows that basic methods are still a large threat. These attacks don’t need advanced technology. Instead, they influence human behavior, which is often simpler than breaking complex network systems.
Why Simple Social Engineering Tactics Work
Simple social engineering methods work because they use key psychological triggers. Attackers often use authority or fear to trick individuals. In the earlier example, we, the ones answering the calls, were seen as authority figures. The callers were curious or seeking help with the supposed “ticket” they had received. This authority, along with the sense of urgency in the phishing email, made employees act quickly without thinking deeply about the message. This urgency is a common factor in human-based attacks, leading to mistakes and potentially ending with a security breach.
People are more likely to respond to simple, seemingly legitimate requests. They trust their colleagues, support staff, and bosses. When requests seem normal, employees let their guard down. Attackers use these natural tendencies to access sensitive information.
Additionally, attackers use familiarity to their advantage. They might copy the language and tone of someone the employee knows. This makes the interaction feel real, increasing the chances of success. Attackers can use open-source intelligence (OSINT) to gather the information needed for this familiarity. This is exactly what we did for our client attack simulation.
Building a Strong Human Firewall
To protect against social engineering, it’s essential to test and train all employees. Building a strong human firewall starts with education. Teaching staff to recognize and respond to social engineering attempts by reporting all suspicious activity, is crucial. Regular training sessions help keep security important.
Additionally, creating a supportive environment encourages employees to participate and learn from their mistakes without fear of punishment. A positive approach like this leads to more effective training and a strengthened base of employees.
Simulated attacks are a useful training tool. By copying real attacks, employees can practice identifying and reporting to threats. This hands-on experience makes the training more effective and creates a culture of security within the organization.
Moreover, implementing clear policies and procedures reinforces good security practices. Employees should know the steps to take when they find potential threats. This clarity reduces the chances of mistakes and strengthens overall security.
Effective Measures to Counter Social Engineering
Even as cybersecurity defenses grow more complicated, attackers continue to use simplicity. Basic social engineering attacks remain a strong threat because they target people. Focusing on human security measures is essential for effective protection.
Strengthen your human firewall with our Hybrid Service, which combines elements of phishing, smishing, and vishing. Our simulations aim to replicate real-world attack vectors, helping employees learn to identify and respond to social engineering threats. This simulated testing, paired with ongoing training and education, can boost an organization’s security posture against the most common and evolving tactics.
Learn more about our Hybrid Service here:
https://www.www.social-engineer.com/managed-services/hybrid-service/
Written by:
Carter Zupancich
Human Risk Analyst at Social-Engineer, LLC
