Unravelling Cybersecurity - Why Humans Are the Weakest Link?

We humans have become increasingly dependent on Information Technology in our personal lives for?communication, banking, social media, investments, research, and so much more. At present our businesses cannot exist and expect to stay competitive without adequately secured Information Technology systems.

The daily use of technology is also highlighting the increasing complexity of cybersecurity threats and how, despite technological advancements, human actions remain a significant vulnerability.

The Art of Phishing

Cybercriminals leverage psychological tactics to exploit human trust by crafting deceptive messages to trick people into giving up sensitive information, such as passwords, bank details, or personal data. Phishing attacks can also be used to install malware on the victim’s device, which can cause further damage or theft. Phishing attacks are very common and can target anyone who uses the internet. That is why we say whoever is connected to the Internet is vulnerable to cybercrime.

There are different types of phishing attacks, depending on the level of sophistication and the goal of the attacker. Some of the most common types are:

Deceptive phishing

The attacker pretends to be a legitimate entity, such as a bank, a social media platform, or a government agency and asks the victim to click on a link or provide some information. The link may lead to a fake website that looks like the real one, where the victim is asked to enter their credentials or other data. Alternatively, the link may download malware onto the victim’s device. A fake email from a bank asking you to verify your account details is an example of deceptive phishing.

Spear phishing

This is when the attacker targets a specific individual or organization and uses personalized information to make the message more convincing. The attacker may research the victim’s details such as name, job title, interests, or contacts, and use them to craft a more believable message. The goal may be to steal confidential information, money, or access to a network. An email pretending to be from your boss asking you to send a file or a payment is an example of spear phishing.?

HTTPS phishing

The attacker uses a website that has a secure connection (HTTPS) to make the victim believe that the site is trustworthy. The website may have a similar domain name or logo to a legitimate site, but it is controlled by the attacker. The victim may be lured to the site by a phishing email or a search engine result and then asked to log in or provide some information. A website that looks like Instagram but has a different URL is an example of HTTPS phishing.

If you like this post please share it with your networks, participate in cybersecurity training programs, and stay informed about evolving cyber threats. For training and other resources please visit www.zsecuredtech.com

Zsecuredtech is determined to combat cybercrime and raise awareness among the public and policymakers.