B 14: PEOPLE HACKING: TARGET ANALYSIS: HOW ATTACKERS CHOOSE THEIR VICTIMS

 

TARGET ANALYSIS: HOW ATTACKERS CHOOSE THEIR VICTIMS
In the context of social engineering, attackers often use a methodical approach to choose their victims.
Here are some key aspects of target analysis:
Data Gathering:	Attackers gather as much data as possible about the intended victim. This could include personal information, work details, habits, and interests
Identifying Vulnerabilities:	Based on the collected data, attackers identify potential vulnerabilities. These could be anything from a lack of cybersecurity awareness to certain personality traits, or even specific life circumstances
Choosing the Medium and Message:	Once the attacker knows the intended victim, they choose the appropriate medium (e.g., email, phone call, personal contact) and the appropriate message. Both the medium and message are equally important to the success of the attack
Exploiting Human Motivations:	Attackers attempt to manipulate human motivations, including the need to help, an impulse to respond to urgent requests, and our sense of self-interest
Creating a Condition of “False Trust”:	The goal of a social engineer is to carefully create a condition of “false trust,” where an individual reveals information or otherwise takes an action that leads to a security breach
Manipulating the Human Element:	Social engineers try to put victims in a mindset that makes them highly suggestible and willing to take actions that they would otherwise find questionable
Using the Right Technology:	Attackers know that the right message delivered using the wrong technology will lead to failure
By understanding these aspects of target analysis, individuals and organizations can better protect themselves against social engineering attacks