Deception in the Digital Age: Exploiting and Defending Human Targets through Computer-Mediated Communications

Deception in the Digital Age: Exploiting and Defending Human Targets Through Computer-Mediated Communication guides readers through the fascinating history and principles of deception-and how these techniques and stratagems are now being effectively used by cyber attackers. Users will find an in-depth guide that provides valuable insights into the cognitive, sensory and narrative bases of misdirection, used to shape the targeted audience’s perceptions and beliefs.

The text provides a detailed analysis of the psychological, sensory, sociological, and technical precepts that reveal predictors of attacks-and conversely postmortem insight about attackers-presenting a unique resource that empowers readers to observe, understand and protect against cyber deception tactics.

Written by information security experts with real-world investigative experience, the text is the most instructional book available on the subject, providing practical guidance to readers with rich literature references, diagrams and examples that enhance the learning process.

Deeply examines the psychology of deception through the lens of misdirection and other techniques used by master magiciansExplores cognitive vulnerabilities that cyber attackers use to exploit human targetsDissects the underpinnings and elements of deception narrativesExamines group dynamics and deception factors in cyber attacker underground marketsProvides deep coverage on how cyber attackers leverage psychological influence techniques in the trajectory of deception strategiesExplores the deception strategies used in today’s threat landscape—phishing, watering hole, scareware and ransomware attacksGives unprecedented insight into deceptive Internet video communicationsDelves into the history and deception pathways of nation-state and cyber terrorism attackersProvides unique insight into honeypot technologies and strategiesExplores the future of cyber deception

1. The Psychology of Deception 2. Virtual Myths: Internet Urban Legend, Chain Letters, and Warnings 3. Viral Influence: Deceptive Computing Attacks through Persuasion 4. Social Dynamics of Deception: Cyber Underground Markets and Cultures 5. Phishing, Watering Holes, and Scareware 6. Seeing is not Believing: Deceptive Internet Video Communications 7. e-Jihad: Jihadist Use of Cyber Denial and Deception 8. Asymmetric Warfare and Psyops: Nation State Sponsored Cyber Attacks 9. Sweet Deception: Honeypots 10. Looking Forward