Welcome back! This week, we're talking about social engineering, a deceptive tactic that is at the heart of nearly every modern scam.

Social engineering is the psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. Cybercriminals don't just attack computers; they attack our trust and emotions. They play on our fear, curiosity, greed, or a desire to be helpful to get what they want.

How to Recognize a Social Engineering Attempt

By understanding the tactics, you can become much better at spotting a con.

• Creates Urgency and Fear: Scammers will try to create a panic, claiming your account is suspended, your computer is infected, or you are in legal trouble. The goal is to make you act without thinking.

• Presents as an Authority: They often pretend to be someone you trust, like a representative from a bank, a well-known company, or even a tech support professional from a major corporation.

• Asks for Personal Information: A legitimate company will almost never ask you to provide a password, Social Security number, or credit card details over an unsolicited email or phone call.

• Relies on Emotion: Criminals prey on emotions. They might pose as a family member in distress (the "grandparent scam"), a potential romantic partner, or a person in need of quick financial help.

How to Verify Legitimacy

The golden rule for dealing with any suspicious contact is: Do not use the contact information they provide you.

• For phone calls: If you get an unexpected call from your "bank," hang up immediately. Do not trust the caller ID, as it can be easily faked, or "spoofed." Instead, find the phone number for the company on your most recent statement or on the back of your credit or debit card and call them directly.

• For emails or texts: Do not click on any links. Instead, manually type the official website address into your web browser to log in and check your account status.

This simple step can stop a social engineering attempt in its tracks.

A Family Conversation About Cybersecurity

While everyone is a target, both youth and the elderly are often more susceptible to social engineering, albeit for different reasons. It's crucial to make cybersecurity a family conversation. The most effective defense isn't technology; it's awareness.

Scams Targeting Youth Students are often targeted by scams that blend with their digital lives. These can include:

• Gaming Scams: Promising free V-Bucks, skins, or in-game currency in exchange for login credentials.

• Romance Scams: Building a relationship on social media or dating apps to trick a person into sending money or explicit photos.

• Financial Scams: Posing as a "recruiter" on social media with fake job offers or "get-rich-quick" schemes that require an upfront payment or personal financial details.

Scams Targeting the Elderly Scammers often target the elderly with more sophisticated, fear-based cons. These include:

• Tech Support Scams: A pop-up or phone call claims their computer is infected and asks for remote access and a payment to fix it.

• Grandparent Scams: A criminal poses as a grandchild in distress who needs money wired to them immediately for a supposed emergency.

• Legal Scams: Scammers pretend to be law enforcement or the IRS, threatening the victim with legal action unless they send money or gift cards.

Talk with your loved ones about these different types of scams and share the red flags. Encourage them to be skeptical of any urgent or unexpected request, no matter who it seems to be from.

Our District's Vigilance

At West Valley School District, protecting our community's data is our highest priority. We continuously strengthen our defenses with robust security measures, conduct regular training for all staff, and actively monitor our systems for any potential threats.

Our goal is to maintain a secure digital environment for our students and staff. Staying informed and taking proactive steps are your best defenses. By understanding the art of social engineering and working as a family, you empower yourself to protect your digital identity.

 

Stay safe, stay vigilent!

Jeremy Cox

IT Director

West Valley School District 208