Imagine receiving an urgent video call from your CEO. On the call, your CEO appears panicked and asks you to transfer funds to an unknown account immediately. You recognize your boss’s face and voice, but something feels off. Could this be a deepfake?
In today’s world of artificial intelligence, not everything you see online is as it seems. Deepfakes, an artificial intelligence-based technology that manipulates audio and video content, poses a growing threat to personal security. Protecting yourself and your business requires advanced security solutions like Photolok.
This blog will explore deepfakes’ potential risks and impact on traditional security measures. Then, we’ll examine how Photolok uses its unique, photo-based authentication system to defend against deep fake attacks.
So, what exactly are deepfakes? Deepfakes use deep learning algorithms and large amounts of data, such as existing videos and images, to analyze and learn patterns. With this information, the technology generates new, synthetic media that mimics the person’s appearance, voice, and mannerisms. Deepfakes can involve face swapping, voice cloning, or full-body puppetry.
The prevalence of deepfakes online has blurred the line between authentic and manipulated content, posing significant threats to the digital world. The consequences of deepfakes have included the spread of misinformation, identity theft, reputation damage, political manipulation, and financial fraud, among many others. Take the call from your CEO, for example; a convincing deepfake could lead to damaged business relationships, leaked sensitive information, and huge financial loss.
Defending against deepfakes comes with its challenges. Technology is rapidly advancing, making it hard to detect, and it is widely available. Also, social media can cause deepfakes to spread like wildfire.
Traditional authentication methods, such as passwords, and even more advanced methods, like biometrics, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to deep fake attacks. Safeguarding digital communications against risk requires new, innovative solutions.
Photolok is a leader in cybersecurity, offering an innovative and multi-layered authentication approach. Let’s look at how Photolok’s technology stops deepfakes in their tracks.
Instead of a traditional password with text or numbers, Photolok uses proprietary-coded photos for authentication. Photolok conceals unique security codes within photo pixels, a method called steganography.
This approach outsmarts common password-cracking methods, making it extremely difficult for hackers. While preventing cyber threats, Photolok makes the login process simpler for the user. Instead of memorizing a complex series of letters, numbers, and symbols, users only must provide a photo.
Typically, deepfakes use visible content, not hidden data. Using a photo with hidden data prevents deepfakes from replicating or faking the authentication process.
Photolok’s defense against deepfakes does not stop at photos. The technology uses advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent deepfake attempts. These algorithms detect the subtle inconsistencies common in deepfake media but invisible to the human eye.
Let’s return to your CEO’s deepfake video call telling you to authorize a financial transaction. Photolok’s AI can scan the video in real-time and spot signs of manipulation, such as unnatural blinking patterns, inconsistent lighting, or distorted facial features.
Another layer of Photolok’s strategy to combat deepfakes is dynamic photo randomization. When a user logs in, they see a grid of randomly selected photos, including the user’s authentication photo. For each authentication session, Photolok randomizes the photo selection and presentation.
Through dynamic photo randomization, the array of photos used for authentication constantly changes in an unpredictable order, so hackers cannot predict or replicate the sequence, significantly reducing the chances of a deep fake attack.
When protecting against cyber threats like deepfakes, it’s important to consider lateral penetrations. Hackers can use deepfakes to gain initial account access. After a hacker breaks into a network, lateral penetration refers to their attempts to break into other system parts. Imagine the hacker is a burglar who just entered your home while disguised as you. Instead of roaming from room to room looking for valuables, the hacker uses stolen credentials to access different servers, computers, or accounts within the same organization in search of sensitive or high-level information.
Now, imagine if, after the burglar broke into your home, they continued to break into all the homes on your street. That’s lateral penetration, meaning the hacker is moving from one system to another similar one without escalating their access rights.
To prevent these attacks, Photolok isolates each user’s authentication process, like giving every house and every door within that house a unique and constantly changing lock. Even if a hacker uses deepfake technology to make an initial entry, methods like dynamic photo randomization and AI detection prevent lateral movement and minimize damage.
Beyond Photolok’s core capabilities, it offers extra layers of situation security features, such as single-use and duress photos, making deepfake attempts even more difficult.
Using a single-use photo is like using a one-time password. Let’s say you’re in a crowded coffee shop and can sense someone looking over your shoulder. To prevent a shoulder surfer from accessing sensitive information, you can request a special photo for logging in that can only be used once, making it impossible for someone looking at your screen to replicate your login process.
How does this relate to deepfakes? As we discussed, deepfakes rely on replicating known images or videos. With single-use photos, a deepfake created for one login attempt will not work again, making pre-made deepfakes useless.
Duress photos are like a silent alarm button. If you feel in danger or something is not quite right, you can choose your predetermined duress photo to signal security without alerting potential hackers.
As we’ve learned, deepfake technology is a major disruptor in the digital world, introducing new threats to personal and corporate security. Traditional cybersecurity practices, such as complex passwords and biometrics, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to hackers using deepfake media. Staying ahead of these potential risks requires a multi-layered and dynamic approach.
Photolok offers a modern security solution to today’s cyber threats that is both highly effective and user-friendly. With a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, Photolok stays ahead of hackers, providing superior protection against deepfakes and other cyber threats emerging in the new age. Visit Netlok’s website to learn more and schedule a demonstration to see Photolok in action.
Published 08-19-24
For many online users, managing digital identities securely and efficiently has become a top concern. While individual users struggle to manage multiple accounts, companies and developers are figuring out how to balance user-friendliness with security measures advanced enough to combat modern cybersecurity threats. These complex challenges illustrate the clear need for streamlined and standardized authentication approaches.
OpenID Connect is a leading solution in tackling these challenges. This widely accepted standard modernizes authentication, enhancing security while simplifying processes for users and developers. Allowing individuals to use their existing accounts across a range of services, such as OpenID Connect, eases the burden of remembering passwords and improves the overall user experience.
OpenID offers customers a reliable and adaptable framework for implementing authentication procedures, giving them back the time and energy to concentrate on core functionalities.
This guide offers an in-depth examination of OpenID Connect, reviewing its structure, benefits, and practical uses.
OpenID Connect is an identity framework that boosts security and user convenience by streamlining authentication procedures within the OAuth 2.0 structure. Its goal is to address the issues encountered by its forerunner, OpenID 2.0 and meet the increasing need for a universal authentication protocol in today’s digital world.
Effective implementation of OpenID Connect begins with learning its core components and concepts.
OpenID Connect offers three primary authentication flows:
OpenID Connect users can enhance their security measures, improve user engagement, simplify development processes, and ensure compliance with regulations. These advantages apply across different platforms and scenarios, positioning OpenID Connect as a versatile solution for modern authentication requirements.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of OpenID Connect.
By taking advantage of these benefits, organizations can improve their security posture and user experience while streamlining their compliance efforts across frameworks. OpenID Connect’s versatility makes it a powerful asset in taking on the complex challenges of modern digital identity management.
Implementing OpenID Connect in real-world applications involves several key steps:
Pro Tip: Utilize SDKs and libraries like Auth0 SDK or Passport.js for easier integration.
To successfully implement OpenID Connect, we offer a few recommendations to help optimize security, privacy, and performance.
Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:
Following these best practices can enhance OpenID Connect’s security features while delivering a seamless and reliable user experience.
As digital security continues to advance, OpenID Connect can adapt and innovate alongside new advancements. The protocol’s flexibility allows for easy integration with password-free authentication methods, meeting the increasing need for more user-friendly and secure options beyond traditional passwords.
With the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), OpenID Connect aims to enhance its support for various connected devices, including those with limited resources, enabling secure authentication across a broader array of technologies. Throughout these enhancements, OpenID Connect remains dedicated to prioritizing privacy and safeguarding data in line with evolving global regulations and user preferences for managing personal information. This forward-thinking strategy ensures that OpenID Connect stays relevant and effective in the dynamic realm of digital identity management.
OpenID Connect offers flexibility, strong security measures, and a user-friendly approach that meets the needs of developers and organizations looking to streamline and strengthen their web and mobile applications security.
By implementing OpenID Connect, developers can:
In our increasingly interconnected digital landscape, protocols like OpenID Connect are vital in maintaining secure and user-centric digital identities. Adopting OpenID Connect is a winning strategy for staying ahead in digital authentication and security.
According to tech giant IBM, social engineering includes “attacks [that] manipulate people into sharing information that they shouldn’t share, downloading software that they shouldn’t download, visiting websites they shouldn’t visit, sending money to criminals or making other mistakes that compromise their personal or organizational security.” Essentially, social engineering in the context of cybersecurity is a method of illegally and immorally gathering information from victims using established social constructs and relationships that the attacker forges and then quickly abandons once they have the information they need.
As an example, an extremely common version of social engineering is phishing. Phishing is when a criminal impersonates a figure of authority – a bank, government, or trusted business – and “informs” their victim of an issue with their account requiring “confirmation” of their details. This is usually done with a high degree of urgency, often using the threat of a closed account, lost money, or, ironically, a security breach. When victims supply the necessary information, the phisher can then access their accounts and reroute money to their own accounts.
These schemes usually target vulnerable individuals such as the elderly who might not catch on to the falsehoods until it is too late to recover the money. As such, it can be very difficult to defend against at both an individual and corporate level.
Social engineering attacks can be intensely dangerous in that they can be difficult to prevent and detect at a basic level. Since it relies on manipulating human relationships rather than mechanically stealing information (such as through a keylogger or spyware), it’s much harder to spot automatically and requires every person involved to be vigilant to prevent it from happening.
According to an article in Forbes in 2023, social engineering tends to work well as a breaching mechanism because human beings are hardwired to lean on each other for support. The author notes that “human brains are naturally trusting; we’re looking for places to put our trust, and anyone we see as an authority figure or friend has an advantage.” With AI and machine learning on the rise, the mimicry of a social engineering attack is becoming far more advanced as well; we might hear a voice we trust or even recognize on the other end of the phone only to discover too late that it was synthesized.
Another article from Cisco explains that social engineering attacks are especially dangerous in business and corporate settings because “a single successfully fooled victim can provide enough information to trigger an attack that can affect an entire organization.” They explain that it takes only one victim being successfully scammed out of proprietary access credentials for attackers to gain access to internal systems and deploy further, more damaging attacks that might cost businesses significant amounts of money and social trust extremely quickly.
The same Forbes article discussed earlier gives the following advice to individuals to help thwart social engineering attacks:
Cisco also recommends businesses implement specific and frequently updated training for all employees to help them recognize the signs of social engineering attacks and avoid falling for them. They say that keeping the training personally relevant to the employees – by explaining how falling victim to these attacks could affect them on a personal and career level – can help to make it more effective.
Netlok has a solution for companies looking to support their customers and employees in protecting against social engineering attacks. Their program Photolok is an MFA system that relies on a proprietary bank of photos to act as keys to user data. Users will select their photos when creating an account, then, when they input their credentials, be prompted to pick their photo from a grid to verify their identity. This takes away the hassle and issues of passwords and, with one-time-use photo features, makes remote and public access safer and easier. Additionally, the Duress label allows users to alert the system’s administration to forced access attempts and respond quickly, which is useful in the event of suspicious access requests.
If you’re interested in how Photolok can protect your company from social engineering attacks, you can schedule a consultation with the Netlok team.
In cybersecurity, authentication is crucial for guarding sensitive information against those who would use it for ill gains. Traditionally, passwords have been the primary means of authentication. However, as cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the limitations of password-based systems have become apparent.
To address these challenges, many organizations are transitioning to passwordless authentication methods. These innovative systems offer enhanced security and user experience by eliminating the need for passwords.
Authentication in the context of cybersecurity is the process of ensuring that the entity attempting to access sensitive information (banking information, identity documentation, government information, medical documents, etc.) is both an entity that is properly permitted to access it and is the entity that they are claiming to represent. To put it more simply, authentication is a service’s method of making sure that only the right people – people you specify – get to see your data.
The most classic form of authentication online is a password. Passwords are specific phrases or strings of symbols that act as a sort of key for the “lock” protecting your information. Users enter an account identifier – usually a name, email, or username – and a password into the verification screen. The service compares what was entered to what is on file as valid for this information and, if they match, grants access. It’s a relatively straightforward system.
Because of its simplicity, however, password authentication systems are insecure in the modern world. Simple programs like keyloggers and common scams like phishing gather information quickly and can make it easy for cybercriminals to access your information. Beyond this, there are thousands of password databank breaches annually that can mean your information is exposed even if you yourself are extremely careful with it. Passwords are easy to misplace, forget, or input incorrectly, meaning that lots of time needs to be spent recovering password-protected accounts, which is both frustrating and time-wasting.
To combat this, many companies are now switching to passwordless authentication systems. As the name implies, a passwordless authentication system uses alternative methods to verify a user’s identity, not requiring a specific password at all. This eliminates the need for a password databank and can be easier to encrypt for security. It also means that keyloggers are rendered useless and spoofing for a phishing scam is harder to do.
Of course, there are methods of bolstering password authentication. This usually involves establishing multi-factor authentication with additional layers like reCAPTCHA. ReCAPTCHA is Google’s authentication system based on the CAPTCHA method; users input the digits or letters presented to them in a slightly distorted photo that many image identification bots struggle to read. In newer versions of reCAPTCHA, users must select a particular object from a grid system of a photo or set of photos or must answer a question.
Systems like reCAPTCHA can still have vulnerabilities, however. Modern machine learning models and artificial intelligence programs have vastly improved photo recognition algorithms and can parse the tests relatively easily and quickly, meaning that bad actors can still access sensitive information with relatively little effort. Passwordless authentication is still not as vulnerable to this kind of attack because it doesn’t rely on a specific typed input in the same way from users and often instead relies on another personal identifier selected at account creation, which can’t be predicted by these programs.
When it comes to securing online accounts, Photolok from Netlok is a passwordless authentication method that offers a practical and user-friendly alternative to traditional password-reliant methods like reCAPTCHA. Photolok leverages photos to authenticate users in a way that’s both effective and intuitive.
This unique software’s authentication process works like this. Users select and categorize photos to use as verification keys; they can be labeled as multi-use, one-time use, or “Duress” (a distress signal). During login, users are asked to identify their chosen photo from a grid of similar photos from Photolok’s proprietary database. This approach eliminates the need for passwords entirely, making it a robust alternative to conventional password-based systems.
In terms of defending against AI and machine learning attacks, Photolok is particularly effective by design. Its system is built with advanced encryption and lateral defenses, which standard password-cracking tools cannot bypass. Since there are no passwords to crack and photo recognition software needs specific training and prompting to identify photos, AI attacks are considerably less effective; there is no “please choose this item” prompting for them to rely on for identification. The use of one-time-use photos further complicates any potential data collection by attackers, making it challenging for them to amass useful information over time. Additionally, keylogging systems are ineffective with Photolok, as the user’s photo location on the grid changes with each login.
As mentioned, traditional CAPTCHA tests, including advanced versions like Google’s reCAPTCHA, were designed to thwart simple automated attacks, but AI’s rapid advancement left CAPTCHA systems of all kinds outdated and less effective against sophisticated threats. Photolok provides a modern solution with its photo-based system, offering superior protection against both AI-driven and human social engineering attacks alike. Photolok’s ease of use and strong security make it an excellent choice for enterprises seeking a more reliable authentication method. Visit Netlok’s website to learn more and schedule a demonstration to see Photolok in action.
Most people who have used the Internet are familiar with the little boxes at the bottom of forms that ask you to prove that you’re human. It’s become a common joke that the distorted letters are illegible and that it’s just as hard for a human to solve these puzzles as it would be for a robot. But is that true? And if so, why do we still use this outdated verification?
Google’s ReCaptcha is beginning to show its limitations, and many site owners and internet users are seeking alternatives. To know why, it’s important to know what Recaptcha is, why it is being phased out, and what authentication methods are being used to replace it.
ReCaptcha is a Google property. This program is a multi-factor authentication method that uses a risk analysis engine to prevent spam responses to forms online. It’s most often used for surveys, email list registration forms, account creation and login screens, and purchase forms, among other applications. ReCaptcha uses a CAPTCHA test, which stands for “Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart.”
The Turing Test is a method of determining whether a computer can effectively mimic a human being’s thought processes. For a classic Turing Test, a human asks a series of questions to two responders, one other human and one computer program. After all questions are answered, the questioner must determine which responder is the computer. If, on more than half of the trials of the test, the computer is incorrectly identified, the computer is said to have passed the Turing Test.
So, using this idea, CAPTCHA tests generate an image that the user has to correctly interpret to access or submit the form. This is usually either an image with distorted letters and numbers that must be typed in the correct order or a series of images that ask users to identify a specific object. Some reCaptcha tests may be a single checkbox to select labeled “I am not a robot.” With this version of the test, the program takes into account the speed and accuracy of the click on the box, verifying a certain level of human error for authenticity.
While reCaptcha started as a go-to authentication method, modern internet users and site owners have criticisms that are beginning to spell the end of the software as an industry standard.
For one, reCaptcha has extremely limited accessibility features. Many users with accessibility needs, such as low vision or blind users, express frustration with reCaptcha’s distorted letter mechanic. With accessibility for all becoming a major focus for most online brands, having essential features of your site hidden behind a feature that cannot accommodate people with visual disabilities can be a major hindrance.
Another major complaint is the overall tedium of filling out reCaptcha forms. Some versions of the system require users to go through two, three, or even four layers of identification and authentication to verify their legitimacy as users, which can take an upsetting amount of time to complete, and in the event of an internet issue, can be extremely frustrating to have to restart. There have also been issues with image reCaptchas specifically having errors that result in the user being asked to identify an object that isn’t present at all, which can lead to further confusion and annoyance.
The final major concern with reCaptcha is the advancement of artificial intelligence technology. AI algorithms are becoming so advanced that they can pass the Turing test with relative ease, and with reCaptcha specifically, programs have been developed by scammers and bot managers that can replicate the minute randomizations in clicks of a human being and identify images more clearly than ever before. Many people are concerned that reCaptchas have become obsolete in the face of these advancements, and many site owners are finding that more and more bots are slipping through reCaptcha filters because of it.
While it’s unlikely that reCaptcha will be completely phased out anytime soon – as this would be a massive undertaking and require the reconfiguration of millions of sites worldwide – other authentication methods are slowly becoming more prevalent as a way of warding off AI advancements and bots.
Some sites choose to use methods like Cloudflare’s Turnstile, which uses specific code to verify a user’s connection and authenticity and filter out bots. Others choose to add another layer of security to their reCaptcha authentication instead of replacing it, using bot-sweeping software to filter out any spam that may get past the Captcha and into their system. They may also choose to implement a firewall system to block AI. Some companies are also fighting AI with AI; they use AI software to detect spam accounts and users across networks and block them instantly.
A new authentication method from Netlok called Photolok allows users to log into their accounts by selecting an image of their choosing from a grid of similar images. This system allows users to upload their security images with labels including one-time use and duress – a label that would alert administrators if a user is forced to log into their account by a bad actor. It is an extremely secure method that works well against bots and AI alike thanks to clever encryption and a unique verification algorithm.
Other methods include 2FA requiring outside devices such as phones or tablets and biometric authentication, which may include facial recognition software or fingerprint reading.
While reCaptcha has been a go-to authentication method for many years, its limitations and drawbacks are becoming increasingly apparent to both internet users and site owners, especially concerning accessibility. Alternative authentication methods are slowly gaining popularity as a way to fight against AI advancements and bots. Again, while it is unlikely that reCaptcha will be completely phased out anytime soon, site owners need to consider alternative authentication methods that are more accessible, user-friendly, and secure.
If you are interested in implementing Photolok into your network as a Captcha alternative, you can schedule a demo online.
Read More: Phishing Attacks Surge By 173% In Q3, 2023
Read More: The Need for a Paradigm Change to Mitigate Password Vulnerability From Artificial Intelligence
Read More: Fortify Security: Investing in Advanced Authentication Solutions
Google’s ReCaptcha is and has been the most popular Captcha test online for many years. It’s long been considered the best of its kind; it uses simple visual and written tests to verify whether a user is human. This is done to protect data from bots, machine learning, and AI that might lead to either malicious use or spam. That being said, ReCaptcha has some issues that make it less than ideal for modern users.
Firstly, ReCaptcha has a reputation for having serious accessibility issues. Many of the tests in ReCaptcha v2 rely on users having higher levels of sight capabilities, making them nearly impossible for visually impaired users to pass. Even without visual impairment, however, many of the test images are blurred and/or pixelated to the point of unreadability, rendering the test useless. Though v3 has fixed some of these issues by using user behaviors rather than images, it’s still not perfect, and can occasionally erroneously flag submissions completed using screen-readers or similar programs as fraudulent.
Beyond accessibility issues, ReCaptcha can be difficult to use in the European Union due to its data policies being incompliant with GDPR. ReCaptcha transfers users’ personal data to Google’s servers, which are located outside of the EU in the US, which is against GDPR regulations.
Even taking these issues into consideration, ReCaptcha’s main problem is that it is no longer as effective as it once was. With technological advancements in machine learning and AI programming, many bots have become sophisticated enough to parse information from the image tests used by ReCaptcha, and some have even begun to mimic user behavior (slower form fill times, more erratic movement, etc.) to fool ReCaptcha v3. This renders the tests useless and opens sites up to more spam and potential malicious behaviors.
Finally, ReCaptcha is, for many, a massive frustration to have to go through in order to access your data. As mentioned, the tests can vary from mildly time-consuming to downright impossible, which can discourage users from accessing your site at all.
Because ReCaptcha has so many issues, many businesses are choosing to phase it out of their operations. It’s still necessary to have some measure of protection for your business’s and your customers’ data, though, so finding a suitable replacement has become a priority. Here are the top five best replacements for ReCaptcha as a security method.
Photolok, developed by Netlok, is an photo-based multi-factor authentication system that can be used to verify identities and moderate access to data. When a user sets up their account, Photolok asks them to choose photos from a secure database to act as “keys” to their account. When they attempt to log in, they’ll be prompted to choose their photo from a grid. If they do so successfully, they’ll gain access to their information; if they choose the wrong photo, they won’t be able to access any of the information.
Photolok protects its users’ data against machine learning and AI attacks through its proprietary photo-based system; there is no prompt to choose a particular object that can be identified by AI and no password to decode. It also allows for different kinds of photo “keys” to be used – one-time-use photos can ensure that access can’t be gained through over-the-shoulder spying and Duress photos ensure that if a user is made to access their data by force, the appropriate people are notified immediately to secure the account.
This system integrates well with existing SSO and MFA systems, making it easy to switch over from ReCaptcha.
Cloudflare (fully Cloudflare Turnstile) is another verification metric that involves users passing a test to access their information. For this particular application, users simply click on a check square – the speed and accuracy of this click was measured to see if the user was in fact human. It can be easily integrated into most website builds and is free for up to ten widgets. The company also has a reputation for protecting the privacy of its clients.
The main issue with Cloudflare is that, similar to ReCaptcha, it can be susceptible to attacks by bots, especially machine learning or AI bots that have built-in randomization.
MTCaptcha is another Captcha service similar to ReCaptcha that uses proof of work tokens – computations inside the browser’s workings that the user doesn’t have to interact with at all – to verify its users’ identities. It’s relatively adaptive, allows for regression testing, and is free to use for one domain.
Again, unfortunately, MTCaptcha can have some of the same issues as ReCaptcha when it comes to machine learning and AI attacks. It also tends to run slowly in more “suspicious” regions (ie, regions that have a history of attacks).
This program is not a Captcha test, but instead a device verifier that, again, does not require user interaction unless the user’s device does not pass the initial check. Device Check is good for blocking automation frameworks and spoofed environments, though it isn’t necessarily as effective against some kinds of bots. It runs on web browsers and mobile applications easily.
Though not a specific program, using a secondary verification process – such as sending a verification code to a user’s email or phone – is a popular alternative to Captcha programs. This involvement of multi-factor authentication puts the verification in the hands of the users and is significantly stronger against machine learning and AI attacks. It is, however, somewhat frustrating for users and can lock them out of accounts if there are issues with the secondary verification method.
Photolok provides a robust alternative to ReCaptcha. The system’s sophisticated encryption and lateral defenses make it resilient against AI-driven attacks, as AI would struggle with the lack of traditional passwords and randomized photo placement. Implementing Photolok in businesses is straightforward. Its easy integration with existing systems enhances security without compromising user experience.
With no passwords to share or steal and the added protection of one-time-use photos, Photolok is particularly advantageous for remote workers in unsecured environments, making it a valuable addition to any security infrastructure. Schedule a meeting with the Photolok sales team via their website to see a demonstration of how Photolok can work for your business.
Published 05-30-24
Human beings are inherently social creatures, which can be both a blessing and a curse, especially in the world of cybersecurity and identity crime. Understanding the intricacies of social engineering attacks is paramount in comprehending their threat to businesses. These attacks exploit human vulnerabilities by tailoring strategies to target specific demographics or personality types, utilizing personal, social, and cultural information.
Through an exploration of a prominent case involving MGM Resorts and discussions on defense strategies, we can begin to see the critical need for innovative solutions like Photolok in safeguarding against such threats.
In the context of security, social engineering describes a method of tailoring an attack to target a specific demographic or personality type using information gathered about their personal, social, and cultural habits and expectations. According to Carnegie Mellon University, social engineering attacks rely on “manipulating, influencing, or deceiving a victim in order to gain control over a computer system, or to steal personal and financial information.” This is considered a form of psychological manipulation and usually occurs in a four-step cycle:
Social engineering attacks rely heavily on our personal expectations and a sense of urgency. For example, suppose you receive an email that is ostensibly from your bank. In that case, you’re less likely to check its validity if they’re threatening to close your account and take legal action if you don’t confirm your identity with them or if they tell you that your information’s been compromised and this is the only way to save yourself thousands of dollars in losses.
The most common form of social engineering attack is phishing, when an attacker duplicates or “spoofs” an official form or website and directs targets to it with a duplicated or “spoofed” message “alerting” them to a problem with or update to their account. The spoofed site looks just like the login screen for the actual business or organization but will always result in an error after the information is submitted rather than allowing access to the appropriate site. It will also send that information directly to the attacker, who can then use it to access the legitimate site.
In September of 2023, the Las Vegas giant MGM Resorts faced a major cyberattack that brought down large portions of their casinos and put all of the guests and staff of the resort’s multiple locations in danger. UK news outlet The Daily Mail said of the attack that “the main website for MGM Resorts remained down on Wednesday [September 13] morning, following a ‘cybersecurity incident’ the company says impacted reservations and casino floors in Nevada and seven other states.”
Potentially the most embarrassing part of the breach is that the attack reportedly occurred via a 10-minute phone conversation using one employee’s stolen information gathered using social engineering techniques. According to some reports, a member of the attacking group looked up the employee on LinkedIn and called the company’s Help Desk posing as them to gain control of the account. Once they were inside the system, they were free to instigate a massive ransomware attack.
This massive attack lasted 10 days and cost the company an estimated $100 million in lost revenue, which doesn’t even account for the cost of rebuilding its cybersecurity infrastructure. The breach affected around 10.6 million people, whose information from names and payment methods to addresses and account numbers was leaked.
The biggest challenge to assess when it comes to social engineering attacks is the human element; it’s difficult to circumvent an attack if you’re not sure it’s happening. In the case of vishing (phishing attempts conducted via phone call or voicemail), unless a service representative is familiar with the voices of all employees, it would be nearly impossible to prevent impersonations from a recognition standpoint alone.
Because of this, it’s best to incorporate layers of protection in all methods of access; service representatives should use multiple pieces of information such as a password, pin, or other verification method to confirm identities. It would also be best to include multi-factor authentication (MFA) in most if not all access points for information, making it more difficult for attackers to access all of the information they need.
Photolok is a service that offers a novel approach to thwart phishing attempts. Unlike conventional MFA methods reliant on security questions or email verification, Photolok uses a photo-based authentication system; users designate specific photo images as “keys” to their accounts. When attempting to access the service, users are prompted to select their “photo” from a grid. Access is granted only upon choosing the correct photo.
The strength of Photolok lies in the fact that it does not rely on easily compromised numerical codes, security question responses, or passwords vulnerable to phishing attempts. By utilizing unique photos, Photolok drastically raises the bar for attackers attempting to guess or phish access credentials, particularly given the absence of direct access to Photolok’s internal bank of photo options.
Photolok also integrates advanced features engineered to combat AI and machine learning-driven attacks, which gives the system stronger adaptability to evolving threats than traditional MFA. Additional options in the system, such as labeling photos for one-time use and activating alerts for administrators in the event of forced entry via “Duress” photo selection, further fortify security measures, particularly in public and remote work environments.
You can learn more about Photolok and how it can protect your company from social engineering attacks by contacting the sales team.
Member – Insider GovTech
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
©2015-2025 Netlok. All rights reserved.