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Computer Security And Social Engineering Essay

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Computer security is a very important topic in today’s world. One does not have to look far to read about data breaches, DDoS attacks, or other computer related crimes. When we think of cybercrime, we usually envision the Hollywood portrayal of technical hackers typing vigorously and wearing dark sunglasses. However, in reality, hacking tends to be much less glamorous. Actually, one critical element is often overlooked by the general public and movies alike; yet, every security professional knows, people are the weakest link, when it comes to security. In fact, “as part of a demonstration at the 2010 Def Con hacking conference, large corporations were subject to social engineering techniques. The result was alarming: 96% of employees contacted by phone or email disclosed confidential information…” (Ricart). In this paper, I will discuss the concept of social engineering: what it is, the types of attacks, the framework used in carrying out said attacks, and lastly, I will address countermeasures to mitigate the risk. Social engineering, as defined on social-engineer.org, is any act that influences a person to take an action that may or may not be in their best interest (social-engineer). Human nature is a very interesting topic and one that has been studied for centuries. Throughout its history, certain patterns and behaviors have been observed. Therefore, social engineering is a type of applied science that is rooted in psychology, however its nature is fluid and varies

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