73 - Social Engineering & The Dual Process Theory

Human Factor

Humans are complex and can be influenced based on behavioural traits, good faith and cognitive bias

Cognitive Biases

Cognitive Biases interfere with decision making and altering perception of event and decision making

Cognitive Bias as Vulnerability

Exploitation of someone's behaviour and mental weaknesses and cognitive bias to persuade them to introduce a vulnerability

  • Anyone can be a victim
  • Primary target is low-tier uneducated staff
  • Humans are prioritized because "hacking" a human is easier than a system

Dual Process Theory

The Dual Process theory introduces two "Systems" characterizing the brain

Types of Cognitive Biases

A cognitive bias is an unconscious distortion of reasoning
Cognitive Biases:

Ego Fear of Losing
Trust In authority Tendency to Trust
The Desire to be useful Lack of awareness of value of information
Laziness or Ignorance Enthusiasm for benefit or reward

74 - Attack Vectors - Phishing

Interactive Graph