Social Engineering Attacks: A Survey

Fatima Salahdine and Naima Kaabouch
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Fatima Salahdine: School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
Naima Kaabouch: School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA

Future Internet, 2019, vol. 11, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: The advancements in digital communication technology have made communication between humans more accessible and instant. However, personal and sensitive information may be available online through social networks and online services that lack the security measures to protect this information. Communication systems are vulnerable and can easily be penetrated by malicious users through social engineering attacks. These attacks aim at tricking individuals or enterprises into accomplishing actions that benefit attackers or providing them with sensitive data such as social security number, health records, and passwords. Social engineering is one of the biggest challenges facing network security because it exploits the natural human tendency to trust. This paper provides an in-depth survey about the social engineering attacks, their classifications, detection strategies, and prevention procedures.

Keywords: social engineering attacks; cyber security; phishing; vishing; spear phishing; scams; baiting; robocalls (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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