It started with a Horse...!
Posted on 1st May 2017 at 19:35
You would think we would learn...Seriously Wouldn't you...?
It's all Greek to you...Correct, after all that was where it started...!
Probably one of the best and possibly one of the first exceptional deceptions was the Trojan Horse....
"The Trojan Horse is a tale from the Trojan War about the subterfuge that the Greeks used to enter the city of Troy and win the war. After a fruitless 10-year siege, the Greeks constructed a huge wooden horse, and hid a select force of men inside.
The Greeks pretended to sail away, and the Trojans pulled the horse into their city as a victory trophy. That night the Greek force crept out of the horse and opened the gates for the rest of the Greek army, which had sailed back under cover of night. The Greeks entered and destroyed the city of Troy, ending the war."
Let's move forward a few years...(Just a few)
Although we now live in a very technologically advanced society or so we are led to believe, Cyber Criminals use a very old deception to befriend and confuse us, they pretend to be something or someone else that allows them to steal from us.
The Tactic
Like the Greeks many years ago, Cyber Criminals use their deception in one of two very simple ways: -
"Fear or Greed"
Human nature is a very complex thing, however when we are scared or excited, we will always act in ways that may be out of our normal character, Cyber Criminals know this and exploit this common human flaw: -
Your bank account has been subject to fraud...
Congratulations you have won...
This is a once in a lifetime offer don't miss out...
We have detected that your computer has been infected...
If you do not act now your account will be closed...
You have 3 important messages...
Update your account information...
I am writing in regards to a multimillion pound business proposal...
In isolation, the statements all seem very obvious and could be considered clearly fake, they do however follow the tactic, they either scare or excite us with their promise of a disaster or prize.
The Sting
We all lead busy lives, although we will have received many of these emails, unlike the list above we won't receive them all at the same time, also these emails won't necessarily be received by us at a time where we will be aware and be able to spot their criminal intent.
Our ability to spot these emails will be influenced by when we receive them and what emotional state we are in, all of which will influence whether we act: -
It's raining
An awful day at work
You are sick
Divorce
Upcoming wedding
Death in the family
You are broke
etc....
The list could continue, however what each one demonstrates is that our emotions will be hampered and we may not be making rational objective decisions.
The Cost
Having all the technology has given us the illusion of having everything at our fingertips, so do the Cyber Criminals. Historically to send fraudulent communications had cost criminal's considerable investment, with postage stamps, traditional advertising or expensive phone calls to name a few, the growth of social media and email has removed these high costs.
Our Moral - Quite simply it costs Cyber Criminals very little to cost you quite a lot...!
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