How are you? By Allah's grace, I'm doing very well.

In this age of the Internet, phishing and social engineering attacks are the most powerful tools of cybercriminals. They are mainly carried out by exploiting human psychological weaknesses rather than technical flaws.

1. What is phishing and how does it work?

Phishing is a fraud method in which criminals try to steal your personal information (password, credit card number) by posing as a trusted organization (such as a bank, Facebook or Google). You are sent a fake email that looks exactly like your bank's email. There you are asked to click on a link. Smishing is sending fraudulent links through SMS. Vishing is taking information from you by intimidating you through voice calls or phone calls. Spear phishing is more dangerous than regular phishing because it is carried out in a highly planned manner targeting a specific person.

2. What is social engineering?

Social engineering is forcing people to reveal confidential information by manipulating or tempting them. This is not a direct virus attack, but rather a psychological deception. "Your account will be closed now" or "You have won the lottery, claim it quickly" - making you click on a link without giving you a chance to think. Frighteningly stealing information by pretending to be a law enforcement agency. Spreading malware in the name of free movie downloads or expensive software.

3. Ways to recognize common signs of an attack

If you are careful, you can easily recognize these attacks. Pay close attention to the email address. It may be support@g00gle.com (0 used) instead of support@google.com. Before clicking on a link, hover your mouse cursor over the link. The real URL will be visible in the lower left corner. If it does not match the description of the message, it is fake. Professional organizations usually do not send emails with misspellings or poor language. No organization will ever ask for your password or PIN number over the phone or in a message.

4. Ways to protect yourself from phishing and social engineering

It is very important to follow some steps to keep yourself safe. For example, two-factor authentication (2FA), which provides the strongest security for your account. Even if a hacker knows your password, he will not be able to log in without your phone's OTP or authenticator app. Use a different and complex password for each account. A password manager will help you create and remember strong passwords. Do not click on any suspicious links in emails or messages. If you have any work for your bank, type the bank's official website directly and enter there. Always keep your phone and computer's operating system and antivirus updated. Updates contain security patches to prevent new cyber attacks. Avoid sharing your phone number, email or date of birth publicly on social media. Criminals use this information to plan social engineering attacks against you. Remember that no matter how advanced technology is, your awareness is the best defense against cybercriminals. If an offer or message seems "too good to be true," it's probably a trap. Today's discussion concludes here. I hope you've found it interesting. Please share your thoughts on today's topic. Prayers for everyone. May everyone be well. Amen.

Me behind the camera & keyboard

I’ve always loved sharing my passions with you — from crypto and movie reviews to photography, storytelling, and blogging. Now, continuing that creative journey, I’ve stepped into a brand-new world — Gaming ! 🎮 | 🎥 On my YouTube channel Bokhtiar The Survivor — I’m consistently working to bring you the raw thrill of my gaming experiences — the emotions, the excitement, and those unforgettable moments that make every game feel alive.