The Social Engineering Trap

A well meaning friend sent me a fun survey via social media - I'm sure you've received one before requesting all your favorite things ranging from color, season, car, etc... it's a brilliant way to get to know each other and it's even more exciting when you find that you have so much common with someone. It was much later on that I realized that this data-centric world we live in wasn't just going to leave all this rich personal info unused and that there's an underlying use for it. Social Engineering is the use of deception in an attempt to manipulate an individual into disclosing personal and confidential information for fraudulent and more often marketing purposes. What I had done was inadvertently reveal some of my passwords and also answers to typical security questions.

The Take Away:

1. Do not complete these surveys online unless you absolutely have to (did this at a bachelorette party)~ and it was on a paper.

2. Fear of missing out (FoMO) often entices us into participating in these information surveys.

3. Don't make it easier for social media platforms like Facebook to track even more of your personal data for targeted advertising.

4. Organize a virtual or socially distanced brunch instead to catch up with friends.