Psychological principles exploited by attackers
Cyber attackers often rely on psychological manipulation to bypass technical defenses and exploit human vulnerabilities. By understanding and leveraging psychological principles, attackers can craft highly effective social engineering attacks that deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. Let's explore some of the fundamental psychological principles exploited by attackers:
- Authority: The principle of authority involves exploiting people’s tendency to comply with figures of authority. Attackers often impersonate authority figures, such as executives, IT personnel, or government officials, to gain trust and prompt immediate action. For example, an attacker might send an email pretending to be a CEO, instructing an employee to transfer funds urgently or disclose confidential information.
- Reciprocity: Reciprocity is the human inclination to return favors...
