What is a Tailgating Attack?

Executive Summary: — The article explains the difference between tailgating and piggybacking, where tailgating is like blending in with a group and piggybacking is like getting a free ride with someone who’s authorized. Both are sneaky ways to bypass security. It also talks about common methods these bad guys use to tailgate, like acting casual, using props, or creating distractions. Knowing these tricks helps us stay alert and safe. The dangers of a tailgating attack are just as severe as other cyber threats like phishing and ransomware. Cybercriminals can cause chaos by getting into secure areas, stealing equipment, and messing with data. To prevent tailgating attacks, the article suggests educating everyone, using access controls, installing security cameras, having clear visitor policies, securing entrances, conducting regular audits, and promoting reporting of suspicious activity. In the end, it emphasizes the importance of awareness and teamwork in keeping our spaces safe from these sneaky cyber tricks.

Do you know how we often hear about big cyber-attacks in the news? Not every cyber crime is a big one but that doesn’t mean you will stop paying attention to them. Some of such cyber crimes are known as “tailgating attacks” and “piggybacking attempts.” These are like social hacks that can be a real risk for modern businesses.

So, in these tricks, a cyber bad guy tries to get into a secure area without using the proper security checks, like a passcode or a fingerprint scan. Here’s how they do it: they find a secure place and then wait outside. When someone who’s allowed inside opens the door, they ask to slip in behind them, taking advantage of the moment when the security is supposed to be tight.

This article is all about explaining what these tricky attacks are, how they work, and most importantly, how to keep your important stuff safe from them.

What’s the Difference Between Tailgating and Piggybacking?

Tailgating

Imagine going to a party and you reach the entrance, but you don’t have your ticket. However, a group of friends with tickets walks in, and you just join in with them, blending into their group. In the cybersecurity world, tailgating is somewhat similar. A person who isn’t authorized sneaks into a secure area by blending in with authorized people. They might do this by waiting near a secure door and slipping in when someone with access opens the door.

Piggybacking

Now, let’s say you’re at the party, and someone with a ticket holds your hand and pulls you in with them, even though you don’t have a ticket. In cybersecurity, piggybacking is when an unauthorized person gains access to a secure area by literally tagging along with an authorized person. For example, they might ask an authorized person to hold the door open, and they sneak in behind them.

In a nutshell, tailgating is more like blending in with a group to get in, while piggybacking is more like getting a free ride by sticking close to someone who’s allowed in. Both are sneaky ways to bypass security and can be risky for keeping places secure. Always remember, security is crucial!

What are the Most Common Tailgating Methods?

Under this section of the article let’s talk about how fraudsters try to tailgate their way into secure places. It’s like when someone tries to get into a cool party without an invitation!

1. Acting Casual: One common way is just acting like you belong there. Pretend you’re texting, talking on the phone, or looking for something in your bag. This way, you don’t raise suspicion.
2. Using Props: Some people carry things like boxes, bags, or even a coffee cup to look like they’re delivering something or just heading to their desk. It’s a good disguise!
3. Faking Friendliness: Ever met someone super friendly who holds the door open for you? They might be trying to tailgate! They act nice to slip in behind you.
4. Creating Distraction: Sometimes, a person might create a fuss or a distraction near a secure area. While everyone is focused on that, they slip through the security.
5. Posing as Maintenance or Repair: Dressing up like a maintenance or repair person can also work. Carrying a toolbox or wearing a uniform can make people think you’re supposed to be there.

These are like tricks to get into places they shouldn’t. But hey, knowing about these tricks helps us stay aware and keep our spaces safe!

What are the Dangers of a Tailgating Attack?

So, you know how sneaky cyber attackers are getting good at tricking people? Well, there’s a kind of trick called a “tailgating attack,” and it’s becoming a bigger problem.

Here’s the deal: Last year, social engineering threats (those tricks to fool people) increased a lot. Cybercriminals have figured out that many organizations don’t have strong enough physical security to protect their important stuff.

These bad guys also know that if they sneak into a restricted area, like a data centre, they can steal expensive equipment and mess with things. They might install nasty software on important machines, lock up data, or sneak out valuable information, causing a big data breach.

So, the damage from a tailgating attack is just as bad as when someone clicks on a bad link or gives away their login info. Surprisingly, not too long ago, a survey found that 74% of security experts didn’t think they were watching out for tailgating enough. That’s a problem because it leaves the door wide open for serious security issues and data breaches.

7 Ways to Prevent Tailgating Attacks

Let’s talk about how we can stop those sneaky tailgating attacks! It’s like putting up strong barriers to keep unwanted guests out of a party.

1. Educate Everyone: Teach your team about tailgating, what it is, and why it’s a problem. Make sure they know to never hold the door for someone they don’t know.
2. Use Access Controls: Set up security systems like key cards, fingerprint scans, or codes. These only let the right people into certain areas, keeping the sneaky ones out.
3. Security Cameras: Install cameras near sensitive areas. They keep an eye out for anyone who shouldn’t be there and help you catch them if they try.
4. Visitor Policies: Have clear rules for visitors. They should always be accompanied by a trusted person and should never wander around alone.
5. Secure Entrances: Make sure all entry points, like doors and gates, are really secure. Maybe even add turnstiles that only let one person in at a time.
6. Regular Audits: Check your security measures often. Make sure they’re working as they should and update them if needed.
7. Promote Reporting: Encourage everyone to report anything suspicious. If someone sees an unauthorized person, they should speak up immediately.

Remember, the stronger our security measures, the harder it is for those cyber tricksters to tailgate into our important spaces!

The Final Thought

If you read the article till the end then you might know now how bad those tricky phishing emails or ransomware threats are. If a cyber bad guy actually gets into a place where your important stuff is, they can cause real chaos. They might mess with important machines, lock up your data, or sneak out with it.

So, what’s the best way to fight these sneaky attacks? It’s making sure everyone knows what to look for and what to do. Teach your team about security and good practices. When everyone is aware and alert, it’s harder for a stranger to sneak in and cause trouble. Teamwork makes the dream work in keeping our places safe!