Cybercriminals Exploit Your Emotions

Cybercriminals continue to attempt to ensnare victims by exploiting victims’ emotions, using false urgency (“Act Now, or Lose Something”), fear (“Something Bad Will Happen”), curiosity (“You Won’t Believe This!”), trust and authority (“This is Someone You Know”) and more. 

They use these exploits for phishing, spearphishing (targeted phishing), smishing (SMS text phishing), vishing (voice phishing), and the latest, deepfake videos. Understanding these emotional exploits and constantly keeping them in mind are important steps for protection. 

Think Before You Connect or Act. See this article here.

These tips are courtesy of the ACBA Legal Technology and e-Discovery Committee, and the May 2025 edition of the OUCH! Newsletter (a free monthly security awareness newsletter published by the SANS Institute).