How can you secure CE devices against social engineering attacks?

1 What is social engineering?

Social engineering is a technique that hackers use to manipulate people into performing actions or divulging information that they normally wouldn't. For example, a hacker might send you an email that looks like it comes from your bank, asking you to verify your account details or click on a link. Or, a hacker might call you pretending to be a tech support agent, asking you to install a remote access software or give them your password. The goal of social engineering is to gain access to your CE device, your network, or your online accounts, and steal your data, money, or identity.

2 How to spot social engineering attacks?

It's important to be aware of the signs and red flags that indicate a potential social engineering attack. For example, if you receive an unsolicited message or call asking for personal or financial information, or urging you to take immediate action, be suspicious. Check the sender's email address, the caller's phone number, and the link's URL for any misspellings, inconsistencies, or unfamiliar domains. Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown or untrusted sources as they may contain malware or phishing sites. You should also verify the identity and legitimacy of the sender or caller by contacting them through another channel such as their official website, phone number, or social media account. Finally, use common sense and trust your instincts - if something sounds too good to be true, too urgent, or too vague then it probably is.

3 How to secure your CE devices?

In addition to being alert and vigilant, there are several steps you can take to secure your CE devices and make them less vulnerable to social engineering attacks. For instance, use strong and unique passwords for each of your CE devices and online accounts, and remember to change them regularly. Additionally, you should enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible, especially for your email, banking, and social media accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code or use a biometric feature to verify your identity. Moreover, it is important to update your CE devices and applications regularly, install a reputable antivirus and firewall software on your CE devices, and encrypt your CE devices as well as backup your data in order to prevent unauthorized access or data loss in case of theft or damage.

4 How to respond to social engineering attacks?

If you suspect that you have been a victim of a social engineering attack, it is important to act quickly and calmly to minimize the damage and report the incident. You should disconnect your CE device from the internet and any other devices or networks that might be compromised, change your passwords, and revoke any permissions or access that you might have granted to the hacker. Additionally, contact your bank, credit card company, or any other service provider that might be affected and alert them of the potential fraud or identity theft. Scan your CE device for any malware or viruses and remove them if found. Finally, report the social engineering attack to the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), or the local police.

5 How to educate yourself and others about social engineering?

Education and awareness are the best defenses against social engineering. To stay informed about the latest social engineering trends and techniques, you should read or watch reliable sources such as the FTC's Consumer Information website, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) Cybersecurity Awareness website, or the National Cyber Security Alliance's (NCSA) Stay Safe Online website. Additionally, you should share your knowledge with friends and colleagues and encourage them to be cautious of any suspicious messages or calls they receive. You can also participate in online or offline training programs that teach how to recognize and prevent social engineering attacks, such as the SANS Institute's Securing The Human program, the Infosec Institute's Security Awareness Training program, or the EC-Council's Certified Secure Computer User (CSCU) program.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?