Cybercrime is on the rise, and it’s as much about the psychology of the scammer as it is about the technical know-how. Understanding what makes specific individuals or businesses appealing targets can empower you to protect yourself better. Here, we dive into the minds of cybercriminals, explore what motivates their choices, and how you can make yourself a less desirable target.
1. Motivation: What Drives Cybercriminals?
Cybercriminals are motivated by a variety of factors—often a mix of financial gain, personal vendettas, or the sheer thrill of outsmarting the system. For instance, many scammers use a blend of manipulation and patience, targeting victims over time to gather information, build trust, and set the stage for a successful con. A classic example includes phishing schemes, where attackers may send repeated, friendly emails to establish rapport before attempting a fraudulent request. Reddit threads often showcase users describing a slow buildup of seemingly innocuous exchanges with scammers that ended with requests for sensitive information.
2. Scammers’ Psychological Playbook: Exploiting Vulnerabilities
Cybercriminals often look for signs of vulnerability—both emotional and technical. For instance, an overly trusting person or a business without strong cybersecurity practices is prime bait. Scammers frequently prey on people who exhibit signs of distress, such as recently divorced individuals, or business owners facing financial strain, as these victims are more likely to overlook inconsistencies. The use of urgency, such as “act now to prevent a problem,” plays on natural fears, pushing targets to react without thinking critically.
On Quora, people have shared stories of falling victim to IRS scams. They received calls claiming that they owed money and would face immediate arrest unless they made a payment. The combination of fear and urgency prevented victims from scrutinizing the validity of the claims.
3. Targeting Techniques: Profiling and Social Media Scrutiny
Cybercriminals often perform reconnaissance on potential victims, studying their online presence to gather personal details that can make attacks more credible. For instance, they might monitor a company’s social media to identify employees’ roles, vacation times, or business vulnerabilities. A scamcheckup.com listing even reported a case where a small business owner’s publicly shared vacation plans gave criminals the perfect window to attack while the owner was unavailable.
Social media profiles can reveal surprising amounts of personal data, making social engineering tactics easier. For example, scammers can use public posts to guess passwords or answer security questions like, “What was the name of your first pet?”
4. Businesses as Targets: Why Small Businesses Are Prone to Attacks
Cybercriminals are drawn to small businesses because they often lack the cybersecurity measures of larger corporations. Without extensive resources, small companies may overlook important security updates, making them vulnerable to malware and ransomware attacks. SouthState Bank reported that 60% of small businesses shut down within six months after a cyberattack, highlighting the devastating impact of poor cybersecurity.
Many scammers target small businesses through email compromise tactics. For instance, scammers may impersonate a CEO or CFO, requesting wire transfers from unsuspecting employees. This tactic, known as business email compromise (BEC), relies on criminals posing as senior executives to trick staff into processing fraudulent payments.
5. Why Individuals Get Targeted: Demographic and Behavioral Cues
Scammers often analyze demographic and behavioral data to pinpoint high-risk groups. For example, older adults may be targeted because they are less familiar with digital scams, while young adults might be approached with get-rich-quick schemes. Tech support scams, often discussed in forums, highlight this; scammers cold-call seniors claiming their computer has a virus, leading them through fake “fixes” that ultimately grant the scammer remote access to the computer.
On Reddit, people often share tales of tech support scams that start with a cold call, progressing to remote desktop access, and ending with drained bank accounts. These scammers usually choose victims based on perceived tech proficiency and trustworthiness.
6. Tactics Cybercriminals Use to Blend In
One way scammers stay undetected is by mimicking familiar entities or platforms. They may send phishing emails that appear nearly identical to official correspondence from companies like Amazon, Microsoft, or even a trusted bank. By using logos and real employee names (often gathered through LinkedIn or other public sources), they can make phishing emails look legitimate. For example, some Reddit users report receiving fake invoices from Amazon, urging them to click on a link to view a supposed “transaction.”
7. Building Trust: The Long Con and “Catfishing” Tactics
A sophisticated cybercriminal will often invest time into building a relationship with the target. Romance scams, sometimes called “catfishing,” involve long-term deception where the scammer pretends to be romantically interested, ultimately requesting financial help after trust is established. These scammers may fabricate crises or emergencies, knowing that their “partner” will want to help.
Victims on Quora recount how online romances turned into financial nightmares when “partners” claimed they were stuck abroad and needed funds to return. Scammers craft believable stories, tugging on emotional heartstrings to compel victims to send money.
8. Rationalizing the Act: Cognitive Dissonance in Cybercrime
For many cybercriminals, cognitive dissonance helps them justify their actions. They may view their victims as faceless entities or believe that the end (their financial gain) justifies the means. This moral detachment allows them to ignore the harm they cause. Cybercriminals operating in ransomware rings, for example, rationalize their actions by targeting “wealthy” companies, believing that they’re only hitting the “big guys,” despite the fact that small businesses and nonprofits also fall victim.
9. Money Laundering and Payment Obfuscation
One practical reason for targeting specific businesses or individuals is ease of financial manipulation. Cybercriminals might target industries where transactions can be hidden or laundered easily, such as through cryptocurrency exchanges or third-party payment services. Money mules—often unwitting participants—are used to funnel money across borders, allowing scammers to obscure the payment trail and avoid detection.
10. Preventing Targeted Attacks: What You Can Do
While it’s difficult to predict if you or your business will be targeted, there are preventive steps you can take:
- Limit Information Sharing: Be mindful of what you share on social media and avoid disclosing sensitive business details publicly.
- Educate Employees: Regular training on identifying suspicious requests or emails can help reduce risks, especially for employees handling financial data.
- Monitor Suspicious Activity: Keep an eye on your network for unusual behavior or login attempts, and invest in anti-phishing software.
- Verify Requests: Always verify financial requests directly with the requester, especially if it involves large sums or sensitive information.
Understanding the motivations and tactics of cybercriminals can make a significant difference in protecting yourself or your business. By staying informed and cautious, you can make yourself a less attractive target, disrupting cybercriminals’ methods before they have a chance to strike.