What is Baiting Attack and how to prevent it?

17 January 2024 6 minutes Author: Cyber Witcher

We explain what a Baiting Attack is in the field of cyber security. Describes how criminals use false promises to lure victims. It explains how such attacks can lead to unauthorized access or infection of a system with malware. It also provides advice on how to protect against such attacks, and emphasizes the importance of awareness and caution on the Internet.

 

What is Baiting Attack?

Baiting Attack Meaning: A strategy used in social engineering where a person is lured with a deceptive promise that piques their curiosity or greed. Baiting is when an attacker leaves a USB drive with a malicious payload in lobbies or parking lots in hopes that someone out of curiosity will insert it into the device, at which point the malware it contains could be deployed.

In a phishing attack, an attacker can send an email message to the victim’s inbox that contains an attachment containing a malicious file. Once you open the attachment, it installs on your computer and tracks your activities.

The attacker also sends you an email with a link to a website that hosts malicious code. When you click on that link, it may infect your device with malware or ransomware.

Hackers often use attacks to steal personal data or money from their victims. This attack has become more common as criminals have found new ways to trick people into becoming victims of cybercriminals.

Technique of baiting

Bait can take different forms:

  • Online downloads: These are links to malicious files that can be sent via email, social media, or instant messaging applications. Instant messaging apps like Facebook and Instagram messengers will send links to followers who click on these types of links.

  • Malware-infected devices: An attacker can infect a computer with malware and sell it on the dark web. Potential buyers can test the device by connecting it to their network and see if they become infected.

  • Enticing offers: These emails invite people to buy something at a reduced price — or even for free. The link leads to malware instead of goods.

An example of baiting in a social engineering attack

Below are some examples of bullying.

  • The attacker sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate company and asks for personal employee information, such as social security numbers or passwords.

  • The company posts jobs on its website and then asks candidates to provide their personal information before they can apply.

  • A hacker creates a fake website that looks like it belongs to a real business and then asks people to provide their credit card details so they can buy products or receive services on the website.

Anti-phishing lures

Phishing and phishing are two different types of scams. The main difference is that the harassment involves a real company or organization, while phishing is used to pretend that the sender of the email is someone you know and trust.

Baiting uses a legitimate company or organization as bait to trick you into providing personal information or clicking a link. This can take the form of spam about products or services, direct mail, or even phone calls from salespeople. The goal is to convince you to give them information they can use for identity theft.

Phishing scams usually come in emails and often contain attachments or links that can infect your computer with malicious software (malware). They may also ask for your money or bank account information by pretending to be a representative of a bank or other financial institution.

How to prevent a successful phishing attack?

Preventing a successful stalking attack takes work. The only way is to understand the motives and goals of the attackers.

1. Train your employees

The first step to preventing a successful phishing attack is to educate your employees on self-defense. This can be done through training and awareness campaigns, but it’s important to keep them up to date with the latest phishing trends and tactics. You should also teach them to recognize potential threats before clicking on any links or opening any attachments.

2. Do not blindly follow the links

It’s easy for employees to get lazy and click on any link they see in an email because they assume that if someone is sending it, it must be safe. However, this is not always the case – phishers often send messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as your company’s email address or the email address of another employee (such as HR).

3. Learn to avoid bullying

Learn to be skeptical of any offer that sounds too good to be true, such as offers of free money or items.

Maybe the deal isn’t as good as it seems.

If someone asks you for personal or financial information via email or text, even if they claim to be your bank, don’t give it to them! Instead, call your bank directly and ask if they sent a message asking for this information (and then report the scammer).

4. Use anti-virus and anti-malware software

There are many good antivirus programs out there, but not all of them will protect you from being harassed. You should make sure that you have one that can detect and block the latest threats before they infect your computer.

5. Do not use external devices before scanning them for malware.

External devices like USB flash drives and external hard drives can carry malware that can infect your computer when they’re connected. So make sure any external device you connect to your computer is scanned for viruses first.

6. Hold organized simulated attacks

Another way to prevent successful phishing attacks is to conduct organized mock attacks. These simulations help identify weaknesses in your systems and procedures, allowing you to fix them before they become real problems. They also help employees get used to recognizing suspicious behavior so they know what to look for when it happens.

Conclusion

Phishing attacks are not new, but they are becoming more common and can be very harmful. If you run a business, blog, or forum, be aware that it is your responsibility to protect your online assets from contamination. It is best to address these problems before they become more common.

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