Cybercriminals are not just skilled programmers, they’re expert manipulators. They don’t always need to crack complex codes or deploy sophisticated malware – sometimes, they simply trick people into handing over their own sensitive information. This is the essence of social engineering, one of the biggest threats in cyber security today.

What is Social Engineering?

If hacking were a magic trick, social engineering would be the sleight of hand. Instead of breaking into a system through technical means, social engineering attacks rely on deception and psychological manipulation to gain access to sensitive data, systems, or even physical locations. These scams exploit human behaviour (curiosity, trust, fear, urgency) to trick people into giving away passwords, transferring money, or clicking malicious links.

We’ve seen time and time again how businesses underestimate social engineering scams, only to fall victim to these highly effective cybercriminal tactics. Whether it’s an email that looks like it’s from your CEO, or a fake technician on the phone, these tricks are designed to bypass security measures by targeting the weakest link: people.

Why is Social Engineering One of the Biggest Cyber Security Threats?

While firewalls, encryption, and antivirus software are excellent tools, they won’t stop someone from willingly handing over their login credentials to a cybercriminal posing as a colleague. Social engineering attacks bypass traditional security measures by targeting psychology instead of technology.

No matter how advanced a company’s cyber security is, if an employee is manipulated into clicking a phishing link or revealing sensitive information, the entire system can be compromised. This makes social engineering tricks a go-to method for cybercriminals looking for easy access.

The Psychological Tactics Cybercriminals Use

Cybercriminals understand human nature frighteningly well. Let’s look at some of their favourite psychological techniques and how they exploit them in real-world attacks.

Urgency & Fear

Ever received an email claiming your bank account has been locked, urging you to “act now” or risk losing access? That’s urgency in action. Cybercriminals create panic to cloud judgement, making victims react before thinking critically. Ransomware attacks also play on fear. Victims are told their files will be deleted unless they pay a ransom immediately.

Impersonating Authority

People tend to comply with figures of authority. Cybercriminals take advantage of this by pretending to be law enforcement, government officials, or even company executives. One infamous example is the CEO fraud scam where an attacker impersonates a senior executive and requests an urgent wire transfer from an unsuspecting employee.

Trust Manipulation

Not all cyber criminal tactics rely on fear. Some use charm and familiarity. A scammer might pose as an IT support worker (not from Intrasource, obviously!) and request login credentials for “maintenance purposes”. Others exploit social media, befriending targets before gradually extracting information.

Real-World Examples of Social Engineering Scams

• Phishing Emails: Emails that look like they’re from trusted companies, containing links to fake login pages that steal credentials.

  Read more about phishing scams.

• Vishing (Voice Phishing): Attackers impersonate IT support or banks over the phone, tricking victims into revealing personal details.
• Baiting: Hackers leave infected USB sticks in public areas, hoping curious victims will plug them in.
• Pretexting: A scammer pretends to need information for a legitimate reason, such as verifying identity, but uses it to gain access instead.

How to Defend Against Social Engineering Attacks

Knowing the threats to cyber security is only half of the battle – prevention is key. Here’s how businesses can stay protected:

Employee Training and Awareness

The best defence against social engineering is awareness. At Intrasource, we provide tailored cyber security training to help businesses recognise social engineering scams before they happen. Employees should be trained to:

• Spot suspicious emails, calls, and requests.
• Verify identities before sharing sensitive information.
• Report anything unusual immediately.

Implement Multi-Facter Authentication (MFA)

Even if a cybercriminal tricks someone into revealing a password, MFA can stop them in their tracks. This extra layer of security ensures that even stolen credentials are useless without a second authentication step.

Adopt a Zero Trust Approach

Zero trust means never assuming anyone is trustworthy by default. Instead, businesses should verify every request, limit access to critical systems, and enforce strict security policies. At Intrasource, we help organisations build a zero trust framework to reduce the risk of insider threats and social engineering attacks.

Stay One Step Ahead of Cybercriminals

Social engineering tricks are evolving, but so are the ways we fight back. Awareness, training, and strong security policies make it much harder for cybercriminals to succeed. If your business needs expert cyber security protection, Intrasource are here to help. Contact us today to strengthen your defences against social engineering attacks and other cyber security threats.