Understanding Pretexting in Cyber Security

Pretexting in cyber security is a social engineering technique used by cybercriminals to gain access to personal, sensitive, or confidential information.

It involves the creation of a fabricated scenario (the pretext) to convince a targeted victim to disclose valuable data.

According to a 2022 report, 27% of all social engineering breaches resulting in confirmed data disclosure to an unauthorised party can be attributed to pretexting attacks.

This article unravels the intricacies of pretexting in cyber security, its implications, and how to safeguard against it.

Defining pretexting in cyber security

Pretexting in cyber security is a form of deception where the attacker creates a credible pretext or story to trick the victim into divulging sensitive information.

The attacker typically impersonates a trusted individual or authority figure, such as a bank representative, information technology (IT) support personnel, or law enforcement officer, to gain the victim’s trust.

Unlike other forms of social engineering, pretexting in cyber security does not rely on exploiting system vulnerabilities.

Instead, it exploits human vulnerabilities by manipulating the victim’s trust and willingness to help.

The attacker often conducts extensive research on the victim to make the pretext more believable.

The mechanics of pretexting

In a pretexting attack, the cybercriminal first identifies the target and gathers as much information about them as possible.

This information is then used to build a convincing pretext.

The attacker might use a variety of methods to communicate with the victim, including phone calls, emails, or even face-to-face interactions.

Once the attacker has established trust with the victim, they proceed to request sensitive information.

This could be anything from passwords and credit card details to social security numbers and business secrets.

The victim, believing they are helping a trusted individual or organisation, unwittingly provides the requested information.

Implications of pretexting in cyber security

Pretexting in cyber security poses a significant threat to both individuals and organisations.

Either through error, privilege misuse, stolen credit cards, or social engineering, human involvement plays a significant role in 74% of all breaches.

For individuals, falling victim to a pretexting attack can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and personal distress.

For organisations, the consequences can be even more severe.

Businesses can suffer substantial financial losses due to pretexting attacks.

These losses can result from direct theft of funds, damage to the company’s reputation, or the loss of competitive advantage due to stolen business secrets.

Furthermore, businesses may also face legal repercussions if they fail to protect their customers’ data.

Case studies of pretexting attacks

One of the most notorious cases of pretexting in cyber security involved Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2006.

In an attempt to identify the source of boardroom leaks to the media, HP hired private investigators who used pretexting to obtain phone records of board members and journalists.

The scandal resulted in significant reputational damage and legal consequences for HP.

Another example is the 2016 (Inland Revenue Service) IRS scam, where cybercriminals impersonated IRS agents and convinced victims to pay thousands of dollars in non-existent tax debts.

The attackers used detailed knowledge about their victims, obtained through pretexting, to make their demands seem legitimate.

Preventing pretexting in cyber security

Preventing pretexting in cyber security requires a combination of technical measures and user education.

On the technical side, businesses can implement security measures such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and intrusion detection systems to protect sensitive data.

However, since pretexting in cyber security primarily exploits human vulnerabilities, user education is crucial.

Individuals and employees should be trained to recognise the signs of a pretexting attack and to verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information.

They should also be encouraged to report any suspicious activity to their IT department or the relevant authorities.

Best practices for preventing pretexting

There are several best practices that individuals and organisations can adopt to prevent pretexting in cyber security.

These include never sharing sensitive information over the phone or email, verifying the identity of the requester through a separate communication channel, and being wary of unsolicited communications requesting personal information.

Organisations can also establish clear policies and procedures for handling sensitive information.

These policies should include guidelines on how to respond to requests for information, who is authorised to access certain types of information, and what steps to take in the event of a suspected pretexting attack.

In conclusion

Pretexting in cyber security is a significant threat that exploits human trust to gain access to sensitive information.

Understanding the mechanics of pretexting and implementing preventative measures empowers individuals and organisations can protect themselves against this form of social engineering.

To strengthen your expertise in cybersecurity and effectively contribute to safeguarding digital assets, consider exploring the Institute of Data’s accredited Cyber Security program.

Alternatively, if you have questions about the Cyber Security program, don’t hesitate to schedule a career consultation with our team of experts.