Social engineering through mobile applications
The rise of smartphones and app-based technologies has led to significant transformations in social engineering through mobile applications. In the pre-smartphone era, limited functionality and connectivity minimized social engineering attacks. However, the introduction of app stores provided a platform for malicious actors to exploit the popularity of apps, tricking users into downloading fake or malicious applications.
An important development in this evolution was the emergence of app permissions and data access. Users often granted excessive permissions without fully understanding the associated risks, granting attackers access to personal information.
As smartphone apps grew, cybercriminals became more sophisticated, distributing malware-infected apps and employing phishing tactics. Social networking platforms and dating apps also became targets for manipulation through fake profiles, romance scams, and clickbait attacks.
...
