Pretexting, in cybersecurity terms, is a criminal act that results in identity theft. It is the act of obtaining another person’s personal information by deceitful means. In doing so, the scammer can trick the victim into believing their story and divulging private information like credit card numbers, account passwords, and social security numbers. Venmo scams, grandparents scams, and catfishing are some examples of pretexting methods that scammers use, and learning about them can help prevent further scams.
Once a pretexter has successfully talked you out of providing the information, they will sell it on the dark web, enabling others to open credit accounts and carry out various forms of fraud using your identity. In this article, you will find ways to prevent yourself from falling for pretexting scams. prevent
Pretexting
Pretexting is a social engineering technique in which an attacker creates a false scenario to increase the likelihood of a future social engineering attack being successful. Hacking computers or using other technical means to get into systems is not what “pretexting” attacks depend on. Rather, pretexting scammers prey on people’s trust, leading them to unwittingly reveal personal information that compromises their security.
When using pretexting techniques, a con artist typically adopts a believable persona to create a false narrative that the target can identify with. These tales arouse a victim’s emotions, which persuades them to set aside any reservations they might have.
To gain access to private information or systems, social engineers will often pose as someone the target is more likely to trust, such as a coworker, delivery person, or government agency. Hackers use the technique of pretexting to access a network or steal data by pretending to be a legitimate user. This can be done in person or through a fake email account.
Pretexting attacks use authentic-looking message formats, images, tone, and wording to deceitfully tell a story. Examples of these include the use of government logos. Keep in mind that a pretexting attack can occur over the phone, online, or in person. The objective is to strengthen the attacker’s hand for a more effective assault in the future.
Con artists use pretexting, a form of social engineering, when they create stories that sound plausible to trick their victims into handing over sensitive information or granting them access to their accounts. To win over the victim’s trust and induce them to divulge specific information, these schemes fabricate a plausible-sounding but fake scenario.
How does Pretexting in Cybersecurity Work?
Attackers use a variety of strategies to seduce credulous targets and persuade them to divulge private information. Using an air of urgency, an offer that seems too good to be true, or an attempt to win over sympathy, pretexting prey on the emotions of the victim to deceive them. A few popular strategies are tailgating, phishing, piggybacking, scareware, baiting, and vishing/smishing.
Pretexting Attack Techniques
#1. Impersonation
When someone impersonates them, they act as though they are someone else, usually someone the victim knows and trusts, like a friend or coworker. This requires making an impression of legitimacy, typically through the use of made-up contact information.
#2. Tailgating
Intruders can use tailgating, a type of social engineering, to gain physical access to buildings. The term “tailing” is used to describe the practice of following an authorized individual into a building without drawing attention to oneself. The intruder can slip a hand, foot, or other object inside the doorway before it has a chance to close and latch.
#3. Piggybacking
When a legitimate user gives a malicious actor access to their account, this practice is known as “piggybacking.” For example, an intruder could show up at the front door of a building, approach a worker who is about to enter the building, and ask for help, claiming that they have lost their badge or access pass. The credibility of the act will determine whether or not the worker assists the intruder in entering the building.
#4. Baiting
The goal of a baiting attack is to gain access to private data or infect others with malware. This can entail supplying them with malware-infected flash drives. A logo or other recognizable design that makes the bait look real is often used.
#5. Phishing
Phishing involves sending an email or text message that appears to have come from a reputable source. The purpose of a social engineering attack is similar to that of other similar attempts: to acquire sensitive information. Although pretexting and phishing are distinct techniques, they often go hand in hand because the latter often necessitates the former.
Pretexting raises the possibility that a phishing attempt will be successful by deceiving the target into believing, for example, that they are speaking with an employer or contractor. Spear-phishing campaigns can be launched with compromised employee accounts, focusing on particular individuals.
#6. Vishing
Many forms of social engineering, such as pretexting, make use of the technique known as “vishing,” which is short for “voice phishing.” In this type of attack, the attacker contacts the victim via phone in an attempt to trick them into providing sensitive information or providing remote access to their computer.
Victims of a vishing attack may be coerced into parting with cash or sensitive information via threats or other means. Unfortunately, anyone can fall for a vishing scam.
#7. Scareware
The victims of scareware are inundated with false warnings. One way to deceive someone is by using scareware, which can make them believe that their computer has malware installed. Installing “security” software—which is malware—is then requested of the victim.
#8. Whaling
If phishing targets smaller targets, whaling targets much larger targets. Whaling is a form of pretexting in which high-level employees are cultivated for use in an attack on the company as a whole. Since spear phishing and whaling rely on social engineering, which preys on people’s frailties and weaknesses, they can trick even high-ranking executives.
Pretexting CyberSecurity
In cyber security, pretexting refers to a technique of social engineering. In cybersecurity, pretexting is a type of social engineering attack in which a con artist assumes the identity of a victim, fabricates a fake identity, or fabricates a situation to trick their victim into divulging information they otherwise would not.
Pretexting Identity Theft
Theft of documents, mail, or computer files is a common way for identity thieves to get their hands on sensitive information about their victims’ finances and identities. On the other hand, some employ a cunning tactic known as “pretexting” to deceive a victim into actually giving over the information needed to steal their identities.
If you want to avoid being a victim of pretexting, you should never give out sensitive information, such as your social security number or bank account details, to someone who has reached out to you. Tell them that you need to reestablish contact with the company if they say they work there. This is necessary to reduce the risk of identity theft.
Identity theft can result from pretexting. Someone commits identity theft when they fraudulently use another person’s personal identifying information to obtain money, goods, or services. Identity theft is a growing problem, and many victims are not aware of it until collection agencies contact them and demand payment on accounts they were not aware they had.
Pretexters are extremely clever and will use a wide variety of techniques to steal your information. An imposter could pose as a survey caller and trick you into giving out personal information. Once they have enough information, they will either share it with third parties or try to get in touch with your bank. A pretexter will pose as you gain access to your accounts.
How to Prevent Pretexting
Learning about email security and typical pretexting techniques is the most important thing a company or individual can do to prevent pretexting. You can prevent becoming a victim of pretexting by being aware of how it operates and what to look out for.
#1. Examine the Pretext Carefully
The widespread use of recognizable brand names by those engaging in pretexting is its greatest weakness. A potential victim can verify the attacker’s employment claim by contacting the company the criminal says they work for. As part of your company’s SOPs, employees should make it a habit to double-check the story.
#2. Always Demand to See Identification
If someone is trying to enter your office or have a face-to-face conversation with you, always ask to see identification. It is easier to spot a fake uniform than it is to spot a fake ID. The elimination of potential threats in this way is essential to keeping your company safe.
#3. Educate Your Staff
Staff members serve as the organization’s first line of defense. Help them understand the importance of security and the steps they can take to avoid pretexting attacks. Employees should feel safe conducting secondary verification checks when they have suspicions about a candidate’s credentials.
#4. Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting (DMARC)
DMARC can protect your email from being spoofed because it is an authentication protocol. With DMARC, you can check if an email came from the domain it says it did. Spam filters and other software can be set up to automatically delete or move spoof emails.
#5. Avoid disclosing Private Details
Do not give out private information to anyone without first making sure they are who they say they are. Never give out personal information in an email or over the phone. During a phone conversation, never volunteer personal information like an SSN or account number. Trustworthy businesses will not ask you to do something like that.
Watch out for warning signs such as hurried wording, spoofing email addresses, or dubious requests. Avoid downloading dubious attachments and clicking on any unreliable links.
Pretexting Examples
Examples of real-world pretexting include the countless hacking attempts against prominent figures and businesses, as well as the thousands of average people that are preyed upon annually. The following are the most typical types of pretexting scams:
#1. Gift Card Scams
Frequently, emails or SMS asking you to click a link or submit your contact information to claim a prize are the first stages of gift card scams.
#2. Online Service Provider Tricks
Fraudsters posing as your ISP attempt to coerce you into disclosing private information through fake ISP schemes.
#3. Subject-line Requests
Emails with attention-grabbing subject lines that pose as coming from a reliable source are used in these pretexting attacks.
#4. Grandparent Scams
As part of a family pretexting attack, the perpetrator claims a family member is in immediate need of financial assistance.
#5. Romance Scams
Romance scams occur when con artists deceive you into believing that an online relationship has the potential to develop into something more. Frequently, the con artist requests money (a tactic also referred to as “catfishing“).
#6. Venmo Scams
Online payment scams, such as those involving Venmo, occur when con artists deceive you into sending money to them via the well-known payment app.
#7. Cryptocurrency Scam
Pretexting scams see cybercriminals posing as wealthy, seasoned investors to con unsuspecting cryptocurrency investors out of their money. They convince their victims to “invest” with them in cryptocurrency by promising them huge returns on their money. Scammers collect victims’ money and then vanish.
#8. Employment Scam
Con artists prey on people looking for work by posing as representatives of a legitimate company or employment agency and convincing them to provide personal information or perform work for free.
#9. Holiday Scams
Several cons capitalize on people’s generosity and kindness during the holidays. Some examples of this are email phishing scams, fake online deals, church fundraisers, counterfeit gift cards, and other forms of virtual impersonation designed to steal personal and financial information.
What is Pretexting?
An attacker may use social engineering techniques, such as pretexting, to trick a target into divulging sensitive information or providing them with access to a service. Pretexting is the use of a false story to coerce an individual into taking a risky and expensive course of action. Pretexting is a form of social engineering in cybersecurity. A bad actor fabricates a story to dupe a victim (typically a high-level employee or executive) into divulging personal information.
What is a Pretexting Crime?
“Pretexting crime” occurs when the offender does background research on the target and then uses that knowledge to convince the victim to reveal sensitive information. The thief might, for instance, use knowledge of the victim’s family, routines, or routine activities to guess the victim’s PIN, SSN, or credit card number.
What Is the Difference Between Pretexting and Phishing?
Pretexting lays the groundwork for a subsequent attack, whereas phishing can be the actual attack. This is the main distinction between the two tactics. Pretexting scenarios serve as the foundation for a lot of phishing attempts. Phishing capitalizes on panic and haste, whereas pretexting works by creating a false impression of confidence in the victim.
What Is a Common Pretexting Method?
The following are examples of common scamming techniques: baiting, phishing, piggybacking, scareware, tailgating, and vishing/smishing
Why are Pretexters so Successful?
Pretexting is quite personalized. Pretexting capitalizes on human nature, which is one of its main reasons for effectiveness. Individuals have an innate tendency to trust others, particularly those who seem to be in positions of power.
Who Could Potentially Be a Victim of Pretexting?
Banks, credit card companies, utilities, and transportation companies are common targets of pretexting attacks because they collect and store sensitive customer information. Pretexters call businesses, pretending to be customers, to get information about them.
What Is the Difference Between Impersonation and Pretexting?
To engage in pretexting, impersonation is required. Pretexters frequently resort to impersonation as a means of fooling their victims. By pretending to be someone the target knows and trusts, the perpetrator gains access to restricted areas or information.
Conclusion
Your employees and your organization can be protected from malicious software, pretexting, and other forms of cyberattack if you raise awareness about the best practices for cybersecurity. You need to give careful consideration to installing an email filtering tool and beefing up your security stack by implementing an endpoint security solution as soon as possible.
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