We live in an age where technology seems omnipresent. From our phones to our computers, our smart homes to our workplaces, we are constantly connected. With this connectivity, however, comes the potential for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities, not just in our systems, but also in our human nature. Welcome, to the world of Social engineering in cybersecurity. Despite advancements in technology and its security measures, humans remain the weakest link. In the following, we explore potent examples of Social engineering. Each story sheds light on how devious actors used tactics, manipulated trust, and exploited human psychology to breach seemingly impervious systems.

When the Trust is Broken: The Anthem Breach

In 2015, Anthem Inc., the second-largest health insurer in America, experienced one of the largest data breaches in history. An extensive investigation disclosed that the breach was not due to an advanced malware attack or software exploitation; rather, it was a classic case of spear-phishing—one of the most successful examples of Social engineering techniques. The attack allowed the adversaries to make off with nearly 79 million individuals' identification and medical records.

The adversaries commenced the attack with a spear-phishing campaign targeting Anthem employees, disguised in an email from a legitimate senior executive. Employees, unknowing of the malicious intent, clicked on the forged email, leading the adversaries to harvest their login credentials and gain a foothold into the company's network. This massive breach serves as a brutal reminder of the disasters that can occur when an individual's inherent trust is exploited.

Tailoring the Attack: RSA's Brush with Social Engineering

Another famous example of Social engineering dates back to 2011. It was springtime when RSA, a reputable name in IT security and the manufacturer of SecurID authentication tokens, became the target. The adversaries designed an email campaign, yet again exploiting a simple and apparent attribute of human psychology—curiosity.

The attack involved sending emails to RSA employees with an attached Excel spreadsheet titled '2011 Recruitment Plan'. Curiosity led the employees to open the spreadsheet, which carried a hidden zero-day exploit, hence infecting the computers. The Social engineering involved in this attack was inventive as if tailor-made for each recipient, exploiting their interests, their roles, and their desire to perform well at work.

A Matter of Convenience: The Twitter Bitcoin Scam

In July 2020, Twitter was swept by a colossal scandal, as established public figures such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and even corporate accounts like Apple and Uber, tweeted out Bitcoin scam messages. On closer inspection, it turned out that the attack was initiated by gaining access to Twitter's internal systems, and here's where the Social engineering comes to light.

The attackers, in this case, targeted specific Twitter employees with access to the necessary systems. They manipulated these employees using phone spear-phishing attacks, exploiting their sense of comfort and convenience, to access key internal tools. These sorts of attacks demonstrate how Social engineering can be leveraged to exploit even the most technologically advanced platforms, by targeting their human element.

In conclusion

In conclusion, these real-world examples of Social engineering underline the significance of the human factor in cybersecurity. Each breach underscores a unique Social engineering technique, be it exploiting trust, curiosity, or convenience. Yet, they all share a common thread—they focus on the human element, the weakest link in cybersecurity. As technology advances and security measures heighten, it is paramount that we address this human vulnerability, because as long as there are humans involved in the process, there will always be scope for Social engineering. The importance of training, education, and ongoing reinforcement of security best practices to all staff—regardless of role or seniority—can never be overstated.