Riskiest Cybersecurity Social Engineering Tactics in 2024

In 2024, cybercriminals continue to refine social engineering tactics, exploiting human psychology to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information, granting access to systems, or performing actions detrimental to organizational security. The most perilous social engineering tactics focus on exploiting emerging technologies, global events, and the growing interconnectedness of personal and professional digital spaces. Below are some of the riskiest social engineering techniques currently in use.

1. AI-Powered Phishing (Spear Phishing and Whaling)

Advanced phishing attacks in 2024 utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to craft personalized, convincing messages that mimic trusted sources. Cybercriminals use AI to analyze publicly available information from social media, corporate websites, and databases to tailor phishing emails or messages that appear to come from a known contact, such as a colleague or executive (whaling). With AI’s ability to adapt language, tone, and context, phishing emails are harder to detect and can bypass even sophisticated email security systems.

• Example: A CEO receives an urgent email from a “CFO” with details about a new vendor contract requiring immediate action. AI-generated text mimics the CFO’s writing style and urgency.

2. Deepfake Manipulation

Deepfakes, which use AI to create realistic but fabricated video or audio content, are increasingly being used for social engineering. Attackers can impersonate executives or other high-level individuals, directing employees or partners to authorize transfers of funds or sensitive data. The authenticity of deepfakes makes them a potent tool in convincing victims that they are interacting with a trusted figure.

• Example: A finance employee receives a video call from what appears to be the company’s CEO instructing them to wire money to an external account for a supposed acquisition.

3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Fatigue

Attackers increasingly target MFA systems, exploiting user fatigue from constant authentication requests. They may trigger repeated login attempts, leading users to unwittingly approve a malicious request out of frustration. MFA fatigue can result in unauthorized access, especially when users are overwhelmed by a barrage of notifications or pop-ups.

• Example: A worker receives multiple MFA requests within minutes and, overwhelmed, clicks “approve” without verifying the legitimacy of the access attempt.

4. Social Media Reconnaissance and Baiting

As more people blend their personal and professional lives online, cybercriminals use social media platforms to gather personal data that can be leveraged in attacks. By analyzing posts, connections, and preferences, attackers can craft highly personalized messages or offer fake job opportunities (baiting) to lure individuals into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information.

• Example: An employee receives a LinkedIn message offering a fake lucrative job at a competitor’s company, leading them to share credentials to “apply” through a malicious portal.

5. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC attacks remain one of the most financially damaging forms of social engineering. Criminals use compromised or spoofed business emails to impersonate executives or partners, requesting payments or sensitive data transfers. In 2024, these attacks are increasingly refined using AI to perfectly mimic email threads and conversations.

• Example: An accountant is instructed via email by a “vendor” to change payment details for an ongoing contract, resulting in significant financial losses.

6. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) and Hybrid Tactics

Ransomware continues to evolve, with social engineering being central to initial entry. Cybercriminals utilize Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), offering easy-to-use ransomware kits that combine phishing, MFA fatigue, and other social engineering methods. Once an entry point is secured, attackers lock users out of critical systems and demand payment to restore access.

• Example: An employee opens a phishing email and unknowingly downloads ransomware that infects the entire network, locking key company files.

7. SMS Phishing (Smishing) and Mobile-based Attacks

With the increase in mobile device use, attackers are turning to SMS phishing (smishing) and mobile-based attacks. Smishing messages appear as legitimate texts from trusted sources, tricking users into clicking malicious links or sharing login credentials. Mobile apps with weak security measures can also serve as an entry point for attackers to execute further social engineering.

• Example: A worker receives a text that seems to be from their bank, requesting them to “verify their identity” by following a fraudulent link.

Conclusion

As social engineering tactics in 2024 grow more sophisticated with the use of AI, deepfakes, and mobile vulnerabilities, organizations must prioritize employee training, reinforce multi-layered security systems, and adopt advanced threat detection tools. Cybersecurity resilience now relies heavily on staying ahead of these evolving social engineering schemes by maintaining vigilance, promoting awareness, and deploying proactive measures to mitigate risk.