A manipulation tactic used to deceive individuals into divulging confidential information.
Description
In the context of the Single Sign-On (SSO) Protocol industry, social engineering refers to the techniques employed by malicious actors to trick users into revealing their login credentials or other sensitive information that can compromise security. SSO allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials, making it particularly attractive to attackers. For instance, a cybercriminal may send a phishing email that appears to be from a trusted source, such as an IT department, requesting users to verify their SSO accounts. By using fake login pages, these attackers can capture usernames and passwords, leading to unauthorized access to various systems. Furthermore, social engineering can involve impersonation over phone calls or through social media, where attackers may pose as legitimate representatives to gain trust and extract sensitive information. The effectiveness of these tactics relies heavily on exploiting human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for robust user education and security measures in SSO implementations.
Examples
- In 2020, a phishing attack on employees of a major corporation tricked them into entering their SSO credentials on a fraudulent site.
- A hacker impersonated an IT support staff member over the phone, convincing an employee to reveal their SSO password.
Additional Information
- Training employees on recognizing phishing attempts can significantly reduce the risk of social engineering attacks.
- Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security, even if credentials are compromised.