Listen to this Post
The article highlights a real-world case where an HR representative unknowingly updated an employee’s bank details based on a fraudulent external email, leading to delayed salary payments. This underscores the need for specialized training for key personnel in Finance and HR to combat social engineering attacks.
You Should Know:
1. Detecting Fraudulent Emails
Use these Linux commands to analyze suspicious emails:
Check email headers for spoofing grep -iE 'from:|reply-to:|return-path:' email.txt Verify DKIM & SPF records dig +short txt example.com SPF dig +short txt default._domainkey.example.com DKIM
2. Automating Email Alerts for HR/Finance Changes
Create a Python script to monitor HR database changes:
import sqlite3
import smtplib
conn = sqlite3.connect('hr_database.db')
cursor = conn.cursor()
cursor.execute("SELECT FROM employee_updates WHERE type='bank_change'")
changes = cursor.fetchall()
if changes:
server = smtplib.SMTP('smtp.yourcompany.com', 587)
server.starttls()
server.login("[email protected]", "password")
server.sendmail("[email protected]", "[email protected]", "ALERT: Unverified bank change detected!")
3. Windows Command to Audit User Changes
Check recent user account modifications Get-EventLog -LogName Security -InstanceId 4720, 4738 -After (Get-Date).AddDays(-7)
4. Enforcing Two-Factor Verification for HR Systems
Use OpenSSH to restrict access:
Force 2FA for SSH logins echo "AuthenticationMethods publickey,keyboard-interactive" >> /etc/ssh/sshd_config systemctl restart sshd
5. Simulating Phishing Tests
Run internal phishing drills with GoPhish:
docker run --name gophish -p 3333:3333 -p 80:80 -d gophish/gophish
What Undercode Say
Financial fraud via social engineering is escalating. Key steps:
– Train HR/Finance teams to verify changes via secondary channels (e.g., phone calls).
– Implement approval workflows for sensitive updates.
– Monitor logs for unusual activity:
tail -f /var/log/auth.log | grep "failed" Linux
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security'; ID=4625} Windows
– Use YubiKey or TOTP for internal systems.
Expected Output:
- Fraud detected early via automated alerts.
- Reduced successful phishing through simulations.
- Secure audit trails of all critical changes.
Prediction
AI-powered deepfake voice phishing will target HR teams by 2026, requiring biometric verification for sensitive requests.
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Stephan Berger – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
