CRC Press Social Engineering in Cybersecurity: Threats and Defenses

In today’s digitally interconnected world, the threat landscape has evolved to include not just sophisticated technical exploits but also the art of human manipulation. Social engineering attacks have emerged as a formidable and often underestimated threat to information security. The primary aim of this textbook is to provide a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of social engineering attacks. The book seeks to equip cybersecurity professionals, IT practitioners, students, and anyone concerned with information security with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize, prevent, and mitigate the risks posed by social engineering. The scope of this textbook is broad and multifaceted. It covers a wide range of social engineering attack vectors, including phishing, vishing, pretexting, baiting, tailgating, impersonation, and more. Each attack vector is dissected, with detailed explanations of how they work, real-world examples, and countermeasures. Key Features • Comprehensive Coverage: Thorough exploration of various social engineering attack vectors, including phishing, vishing, pretexting, baiting, quid pro quo, tailgating, impersonation, and more. • Psychological Insights: In-depth examination of the psychological principles and cognitive biases that underlie social engineering tactics. • Real-World Case Studies: Analysis of real-world examples and high-profile social engineering incidents to illustrate concepts and techniques. • Prevention and Mitigation: Practical guidance on how to recognize, prevent, and mitigate social engineering attacks, including security best practices. • Ethical Considerations: Discussion of ethical dilemmas and legal aspects related to social engineering that emphasizes responsible use of knowledge. This comprehensive textbook on social engineering attacks provides a deep and practical exploration of this increasingly prevalent threat in cybersecurity. It covers a wide array of attack vectors, including phishing, vishing, pretexting, and more, offering readers an in-depth understanding of how these attacks work. The book delves into the psychology behind social engineering and examines the cognitive biases and emotional triggers that make individuals susceptible. Real-world case studies illustrate concepts and techniques while practical guidance equips readers with the knowledge to recognize, prevent, and mitigate social engineering threats.