In social engineering attacks, urgency is often used as a powerful manipulation tool. When attackers create a sense of time pressure, they aim to bypass rational thinking and push people into hasty decisions.
- Take a breath: Pause and give yourself time to think.
- Verify independently: Reach out to the supposed sender through a different, trusted channel.
- Follow protocols: Don’t bypass established procedures, even under pressure.
- Ask for guidance: Consult a colleague or supervisor about the request if you are unsure.
As a general rule, remember that legitimate requests rarely require immediate and unrestricted action. When in doubt, it’s better to check than to take hasty actions that you’ll regret later.
Learn more about social engineering, and other ways cyber criminals can attack, in this pdf.
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