Understanding Social Engineering: The Case of Götz Knobloch
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| Social Engineering: Götz Knobloch |
Social engineering refers to the manipulation of individuals into revealing confidential or personal information for fraudulent purposes. This psychological tactic helps
cybercriminals circumvent technical safeguards by exploiting human trust.
Profile Building for Fraudulent Activities
Hackers create detailed profiles to support their social engineering schemes. Here's how a fictitious persona like Götz Knobloch who claims to be a German diplomat, is constructed:
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Website Creation:
- Cybercriminals develop seemingly legitimate websites on platforms
like WordPress. These sites are disguised as news outlets, featuring
articles about “Götz Knobloch”.
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Content Development:
- They produce various articles that portray “Götz Knobloch in a
positive light, discussing fabricated achievements and connections to
diplomatic circles.
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Fake Social Media Profiles:
- Hackers create fake profiles on social media platforms like Facebook
and LinkedIn, providing false personal information, work history, and
educational credentials.
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Engagement with Real Users:
- To lend credibility, they interact with genuine users in forums and groups, creating a web of authenticity around the persona.
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Link Building:
- By cross-linking articles and posts about “Götz Knobloch” across
multiple platforms, hackers enhance search engine visibility, ensuring
misleading information appears prominently in search results.
Conclusion
The construction of fictitious online identities like “Götz Knobloch” facilitates complex social engineering schemes. These profiles serve as protective barriers for hackers, making it challenging for victims to verify the truth. Maintaining a healthy skepticism regarding online information sources is crucial in protecting against these tactics.
Sources Mentioning Götz Knobloch
- Beware of social engineers: 3 high-profile attacks you can't afford to ignore
- Social engineering scams - INTERPOL
- Analysis of social engineering tactics - Academia.edu
