Believe it…despite the best technical defences, if the human is not secure then the system isn’t either Real-world example: 2016 Democratic National Committee (DNC) hack. Phishing Tactics
Hackers sent phishing emails to several DNC staff members, masquerading as Google security warnings.
• The emails claimed there was suspicious activity on their Google accounts and urged recipients to click a link to reset their passwords.
• The link directed users to a fake website designed to capture their login credentials.
One of the DNC staffers, reportedly a campaign chairman, fell for the phishing email and entered his credentials.
This gave hackers access to email accounts and sensitive information.
Hackers, later identified as part of Russian intelligence groups (referred to as Fancy Bear and Cozy Bear), gained access to a vast trove of emails and confidential documents.
The stolen emails were eventually leaked to the public through platforms like WikiLeaks, causing significant political and reputational damage during the 2016 US presidential election.
The breach exposed sensitive strategies and internal communications, leading to public mistrust and embarrassment for the Democratic Party.
It underscored the vulnerability of individuals to phishing attacks, even in high-stakes environments.
This incident highlights how a single successful phishing attempt can lead to large-scale repercussions.
