Social Engineering: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Social Engineering''' is a type of non-technical retrieval of confidential information or gain of access to computer systems. It makes use of |
'''Social Engineering''' is a type of non-technical retrieval of confidential information or gain of access to computer systems. It makes use of characteristics in human behaviour. |
||
== Example: telephone call == |
|||
Hi, |
|||
this is Mallory Malicious from the IT security company. You know, I'm responsible for improving your network's safety. Excuse me for using your time, but I have changed the security mode. Now all users have to be updated if they are to have access again. Would you please give me your password, so I can adjust your account properly? |
|||
Thank you very much |
|||
== Example: virus warning == |
|||
''A "socially engineered" worm could be the following E-Mail:'' |
|||
Hi Alice, |
|||
have you heard of this horrible ABC virus? |
|||
I have been infected! All my files were deleted. It's a total chaos. |
|||
If you have this virus you MUST delete it! |
|||
It hides in your C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder. Look there and delete the EMM386.exe! |
|||
Have this mail posted to all your friends, too! They might be infected. |
|||
Bob |
Revision as of 19:50, 14 November 2004
Social Engineering is a type of non-technical retrieval of confidential information or gain of access to computer systems. It makes use of characteristics in human behaviour.
Example: telephone call
Hi,
this is Mallory Malicious from the IT security company. You know, I'm responsible for improving your network's safety. Excuse me for using your time, but I have changed the security mode. Now all users have to be updated if they are to have access again. Would you please give me your password, so I can adjust your account properly?
Thank you very much
Example: virus warning
A "socially engineered" worm could be the following E-Mail:
Hi Alice,
have you heard of this horrible ABC virus? I have been infected! All my files were deleted. It's a total chaos.
If you have this virus you MUST delete it! It hides in your C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM folder. Look there and delete the EMM386.exe!
Have this mail posted to all your friends, too! They might be infected.
Bob