In the last year, we have seen our digital lives merge with our physical, business and social lives, as a result of increased lockdown measures.
Many of us have spent more time at home, which has created a new wave of security risks, both digital and physical, and requires new approaches to avoid them.
By being mindful of social engineering, and how it can be used both online and in-person, we can use home security systems as well as our common sense to deter the majority of potential thefts and burglaries.
What Is Social Engineering?
Social Engineering is a term that comes from online information security and describes the tactics used by people to manipulate them into giving money, taking an action or disclosing information that can be used to steal or cause harm to an individual or business.
An example of physical social engineering would be an official-looking person such as an electrician arriving at the door asking to come in to undertake some kind of repair work, or saying they represent an official government body.
Rather than try to break into the house, the social engineer wishes to either come in or to survey the inside of the house for potential valuables or internal security systems.
The easiest way to stop this is to ask for official credentials of anyone who you are not expecting. Take note of employee names and numbers and feel free to call their work to confirm their identity if necessary.
As well as this, having security systems in the home will act as a deterrent to would-be burglars, who know they are being recorded.
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