Unwrapping Social Engineering: Stay a step ahead of cybercriminals this season

What do natural disasters and holidays have in common? That is when criminals love to scam people using social engineering tactics. Why? Because people are vulnerable at those times. We don’t know when the next natural disaster will strike, but we do know when the holidays will be upon us. The winter holiday season is a time of togetherness, festivity, anxiety, travel confusion, and stressful last-minute shopping. Those human conditions create a time when we are vulnerable to social engineering – even though we would normally be aware. Cybercriminals are ready to exploit those vulnerabilities that emerge during this time of year. Social engineering, a manipulative technique that preys on human psychology, becomes particularly common and effective during the holidays. When emotions run high, our guard can be let down. Let’s explore how social engineering plays a role in winter holiday cybersecurity scams.