Instead of relying on advanced tools or complex scripts, experienced attackers penetrate systems and steal data using the most effective weapon of all: social engineering. Social engineering lies at the intersection of cybersecurity and psychology, exploiting human behavior to achieve malicious goals.
From the legendary scams of Kevin Mitnick to today’s AI-driven threats, cybercriminals have come a long way, constantly developing new tactics. In recent years, social engineering attacks have become more strategic and precise.
Attackers no longer focus solely on stealing small amounts of money from as many people as possible. Instead, they primarily target individuals within a company who have extensive privileges. These can include elevated network permissions, access to remote tools and sensitive data, or the ability to carry out large financial transactions.