What is Social Engineering?
Social engineering is a manipulative tactic used by cybercriminals to trick individuals and organizations into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, financial details, or access to systems. Unlike traditional hacking, social engineering exploits human psychology, relying on trust, fear, or curiosity to achieve its goals. Social media platforms, where personal information is often shared publicly, have become a prime target for these attacks.
How Social Engineering is Conducted on Social Media
Cybercriminals use social media to gather information about their targets and craft convincing scams. Common tactics include:
- Phishing: Sending fraudulent messages, such as fake urgent alerts or impersonated official accounts, trick users into clicking malicious links, or sharing credentials.
- Pretexting: Attackers pose as trusted entities (e.g., vendors, residents, or government officials) to extract sensitive information or gain system access.
- Baiting: Offers of grants, contracts, or fake community initiatives lure victims into downloading malware or revealing data.
- Impersonation: Fake profiles mimic municipal leaders or departments to deceive employees or residents, resulting in them sharing sensitive information or access to financial funds.
Why Municipalities Are at Risk
- Public Data Exposure: Municipal social media accounts often share employee names, roles, or project details, which attackers use to craft targeted scams.
- Trusted Presence: Official municipal accounts are seen as credible, making users more likely to engage with fraudulent messages posing as legitimate.
- Critical Systems: Municipalities manage sensitive data (e.g., resident records, utility systems), making them high-value targets for ransomware or data breaches.
Recent Example: A Canadian city falls victim to $558K spear phishing scam
The municipal government of a Canadian city was scammed out of more than half a million dollars after a phishing email tricked a staff member into changing banking information to redirect funds into the fraudsters’ account.
The fraudsters had hacked the email account of a not-for-profit organization (NPO) that received funding from the city. They also forged bank letters and used a fake domain name to mislead city staff.
Protecting Your Municipality
- Train Employees: Conduct regular cybersecurity training, emphasizing social engineering red flags (e.g., urgent requests, suspicious links). Please contact risk@rmainsurance.com for more information and assistance.
- Secure Social Media Accounts: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and use strong, unique passwords. Limit who has access to post on official accounts.
- Verify Communications: Confirm suspicious messages or requests through official channels (e.g., verified phone numbers or emails) and speak to the person directly requesting the task.
- Control Shared Information: Avoid posting sensitive details, such as employee contact information or system specifics, on public platforms.
- Monitor and Report: Regularly audit municipal social media accounts for unauthorized activity. Report suspicious posts or security breaches on your social media accounts.
- Engage Residents: Educate the community about social engineering risks through public campaigns, newsletters, or social media posts.
Response Plan for Incidents
- Act Quickly: If a breach is suspected, isolate affected systems and notify IT immediately.
- Report to Authorities: Inform law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies like CISA.
- Communicate Transparently: Notify residents of any data exposure while avoiding further disclosure of sensitive details.
- Review and Update: After an incident, assess vulnerabilities and strengthen policies to prevent reoccurrence.
Stay Proactive
Social media is a vital tool for municipal engagement, but it’s also a gateway for social engineering attacks. By training staff, securing accounts, and educating residents, municipalities can safeguard critical systems and maintain public trust. If you would like further information on this or any other cybersecurity concerns, please contact your Risk Advisor at risk@rmainsurance.com.