From Phishing to Deepfakes: The Newest Social Engineering Threats Businesses Face
Social engineering attacks are nothing new. For years, cybercriminals have relied on human error and trust to infiltrate businesses, bypassing even the most advanced security systems. But what’s alarming is how these tactics are evolving. Phishing emails may still dominate the headlines, but we’re now facing a new wave of threats—like deepfakes—that take manipulation to a whole new level.
If you think your business is safe because you’ve trained your team to spot the usual scams, it’s time to think again. Let’s dive into the newest social engineering threats that should be on your radar.
Phishing: Still the Front-Runner
Phishing remains the bread and butter of social engineering, and for good reason—it works. Cybercriminals have perfected their craft, making phishing emails and messages look so legitimate that even the savviest employees can fall for them.
What’s new is how personalized these attacks are becoming. Thanks to leaked data and social media oversharing, attackers can craft emails that feel tailor-made for the recipient. A fake email from your CEO asking for “urgent” account details? It’s more common than you’d think.
How to Defend Against It:
Train employees to double-check email addresses and verify requests through a second channel.
Implement email filters and security tools to catch suspicious messages before they reach inboxes.
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to make stolen credentials useless.
Spear Phishing: Targeting the Big Fish
While regular phishing casts a wide net, spear phishing is all about precision. Cybercriminals research specific individuals, often high-level executives, and craft highly targeted messages to exploit them. These attacks can lead to significant financial losses, data breaches, or worse.
How to Defend Against It:
Encourage a culture of caution, especially for executives handling sensitive information.
Limit publicly available information about key personnel.
Use email authentication protocols like DMARC to reduce email spoofing.
Vishing and Smishing: Beyond Emails
Phishing isn’t just in your inbox anymore. Vishing (voice phishing) and smishing (SMS phishing) are on the rise. A “bank representative” calling to confirm account details or a text with a link to “reset your password” can be all it takes to compromise your security.
How to Defend Against It:
Educate employees to never share sensitive information over the phone or click on unsolicited links.
Use caller ID verification tools.
Regularly communicate about new scam tactics to keep everyone informed.
Deepfakes: The Game-Changer
Deepfakes are taking social engineering to terrifying heights. With advanced AI, attackers can create hyper-realistic audio or video that mimics executives or employees. Imagine receiving a video call from what appears to be your CEO, instructing you to wire money immediately. This level of manipulation is designed to bypass skepticism and force quick decisions.
How to Defend Against It:
Establish protocols that require multiple forms of verification for sensitive requests.
Educate teams about the existence and risks of deepfakes.
Invest in tools that analyze and detect manipulated media.
The Business Email Compromise (BEC) Evolution
BEC scams have been around, but they’re becoming more sophisticated. Attackers infiltrate a legitimate email chain and wait for the perfect moment to strike, often by slipping in a fake invoice or altering payment details.
How to Defend Against It:
Require two-step verification for financial transactions.
Train employees to look for subtle signs of email compromise, like slight changes in domain names.
Monitor email accounts for unusual activity.Leveraging Social Media
Social media has become a goldmine for attackers. Fake profiles, cloned accounts, and even direct messaging scams are used to gather intel or trick employees into sharing sensitive information.
How to Defend Against It:
Limit what employees share publicly, especially about work.
Encourage teams to report suspicious profiles or messages.
Conduct regular security awareness training focused on social media threats.
The Takeaway
Social engineering is evolving fast, and the newest tactics are designed to exploit trust, urgency, and even curiosity. Businesses can’t rely solely on technology to stay safe—training your team to recognize and respond to these threats is your best line of defense.
By staying informed about tactics like spear phishing, deepfakes, and vishing, you can build a resilient workforce that’s ready to handle whatever comes next. Cybercriminals may be getting smarter, but with the right strategies, so can you.
