Piggy Backing (Social Engineering)

Piggy-backing is a social engineering technique used by attackers to gain unauthorised access to restricted area. It could be an office, an organisation or a business place.

 

The attackers gain unauthorised access by walking closer to an authorised personnel(who is trying to move into a restricted area), giving the impression that they are together.

 

This technique sometimes makes them go unnoticed allowing them access to unauthorised areas where they can carryout their malicious activities.

 

Sometimes, the attacker can pretend to be an authorised personnel who forgot his/her access card. This technique has worked over the years because it takes advantage of ignorance and human gullibility.

 

Piggy-Backing can be tackled by the use of stricter methods of authorisation like Identity badges, Access cards, PIN codes, Biometrics and Dead man doors.

 

Most importantly, Security personnel should be trained and enlightened about this technique so they can be more proactive.

 

Be informed! I will leave you with this acronym we use in the world of cyber security (ABC)

 

A - Assume nothing

B - Believe nothing

C - Confirm everything

 

Thanks for reading. I am Timothy, a software engineer with great love for cyber security.

 

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