Computers
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Social Engineering
   
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Begun, The Browser Wars Have
As Mozilla Firefox nears 10% market share, with well over 25 million downloads direct from the makers website, and goodness knows how many through other sources, Microsoft announces that it will be releasing IE 7 ahead of .....
The official definition is the art and science of getting people to comply to your wishes which is why it is so fascinating and addictive to people who desire control or power. It is essentially an art in its own right, as very few people can manipulate people, whilst the person not knowing they are being manipulated.As Mozilla Firefox nears 10% market share, with well over 25 million downloads direct from the makers website, and goodness knows how many through other sources, Microsoft announces that it will be releasing IE 7 ahead of .....
One notorious master of Social Engineering is the famous hacker Kevin Mitnick. Kevin used his skills to gain access to some of the largest corporations in the world. Kevin now does seminars on computer security, helping people avoid some tricks he actually perfected.
One example Mr. Mitnick uses, delightfully illustrates Social Engineering. Kevin picks his target and then carefully waits for weeks on end for a snow storm. When a snow storm occurs, Kevin rings the security guard, distrought, complaining he cannot get to the office to complete a project. He asks the security guard to enter the computer room, and type in a simple command (which unkown to him, creates an administrator account). Mitnick thanks the guard for the help on the 'project' and asks him to print out a file list and return to his office. Mitnick then rings the guard, tells him to throw the file list in the bin, thereby framing the security guard. Mitnick has access to all the information he needs and more.
With people so worried about software vulnerabilitys, they fail to see that a person can compromise a whole system and render millions of dollars spent on security utterly useless. Although 'Social Engineering' is not a widely used term, you have probably heard of 'phising', which impersonate companys or people, to gain passwords. One such company, Ebay, is particularly a target for attack. The problem is even if it is from sender X@Y.com, it can still be impersonated, to look like it came from Y@X.com .
Social Engineering is also popular through phone attacks, like " Hi I am John at Microsoft Security, we had a report of fake windows versions in the area, please read us your Windows serial, so we can identify it" The hacker the uses the fake serial number and ships it with thousands of fake copys of Windows, thus leaving the trail of evidence pointing to the victim.
Nothing can fully stop Social Engineering, but companys must educate staff and governments the general public, about these kind of attacks and how to avoid them. Awarness is the key to thwarting all the would be hackers.
Reclaim Your PC From The Internet Spies
Most Internet users recognize the need of protecting their computers against viruses, as the vast majority of us sooner or later become painfully aware of these nasty little programs when they shut down our PC, spam our mailbox or delete .....
This Article was written by Neil Grogan (Duey Finster)Most Internet users recognize the need of protecting their computers against viruses, as the vast majority of us sooner or later become painfully aware of these nasty little programs when they shut down our PC, spam our mailbox or delete .....
About the Author
Neil is a computer expert who runs an information site all about technology and security.
For More Information: http://www.dueyfinster.com
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2005 dueyfinster.com
Protect Your Laptop From Theft
Laptop computers are often stolen. They are small, easily sold, and valuable. When a laptop is stolen it is a major inconvenience at best, .....
Laptop computers are often stolen. They are small, easily sold, and valuable. When a laptop is stolen it is a major inconvenience at best, .....