Learn how Hackers Exploit the Human Bias

Cybersecurity is no longer an issue that only affects businesses or corporations as hackers are now extending their means to innocent internet users.

12:56 02 June 2020

The more technology advances, the more these hackers devise their mechanisms to prey on their innocent victims. That is why any company that is serious about growth and data protection should hire Cyber Security companies like Netzen to help cushion them against imminent cyber-attacks. Remember, most of the perpetrators exhibit great patience and can even wait up to two years looking for the best way to strike. So, if they do their homework before attacking, why not use a resourceful mechanism to keep them at bay? Well, if you are a business owner, think about that as free advice because many online scams aren't nearly as easy to identify. Google and Facebook are among the top tech giants that were conned in a similar fashion sometime in 2017, which reportedly incurred the two companies a loss to the tune of $100 million. Around the same year, a Canadian based University was also conned about $11.8 million after getting duped into handing over the money, just like that, and it was gone!

Who do you think is to blame in such incidences? Is it a common thing to fall for spear-phishing emails? Well, let us understand how this happens. Check out on the following to learn how hackers exploit human bias:

• State of the mind
  
  

Most internet users are usually overly optimistic when dealing with tasks requiring their intellectual input. Research on cyberpsychology shows that most people see themselves as cyber geniuses when it comes to dealing with online hackers and scammers. What you don't know is that the more confident you become is, the more vulnerable you become because swaying a confident person is easier. It even gets worse when someone with poor cybersecurity understanding gets unbothered with the company's cybersecurity training assuming that they are too smart for them to be targeted. Most employees working from such an environment will hence be less careful, which sees them inadequately prepared for a cyber-attack. Any company whose employees exhibit such behaviors are likely to become casualties of cyber-attacks.

• State of the heart
  
  

Emotions can significantly affect your rational decision-making capabilities. Scammers and hackers tend to exploit this flaw and hit when we are at our most vulnerable situations. For instance, people tend to comply with someone that they like, feel that they can trust, or just because of curiosity and excitement. You should, therefore, train your brain not to succumb to swaying emotions, especially from people that you don't know.

• Double-check
  
  

How do you handle your decision-making, especially when working in high-pressure environments? It is important to pay attention to what your brain is really up to, especially when dealing with a situation that is likely plausible. Those few seconds that you take before saying yes or no to something is enough to save you from losing a great deal of money and reputation, especially when you double-check everything. Behavioral psychology research shows that the brain tries to fix something in hand quickly to get into the next task. That is your point of vulnerability, and it is when the vipers will likely make the last finishing move.