What is shoulder surfing attack?

A shoulder surfing attack describes a situation where the attacker can physically view the device screen and keypad to obtain personal information. It is one of the few attack methods requiring the attacker to be physically close to the victim to succeed.

What is an example of shoulder surfing?

Here are a few other examples: Sitting in a public place and paying a bill or making a purchase over a cellphone Reading your debit or credit card number or other sensitive data aloud would allow an eavesdropping shoulder surfer to overhear your conversation and potentially write down the sensitive information.

How common is shoulder surfing?

Shoulder surfing happens to a substantial amount of people even if it’s not for malicious purposes. A recent study from NYU found that 73% of survey respondents indicated they had seen someone else’s confidential PIN without them knowing. Shoulder surfing can happen anywhere, especially at ATMs and kiosks.

What is shoulder sniffing?

Shoulder surfing refers to the act of obtaining personal or private information through direct observation. Shoulder surfing involves looking over a person’s shoulder to gather pertinent information while the victim is oblivious.

When did shoulder surfing start?

1980s
Shoulder surfing began in the early 1980s when scammers would snoop as people entered calling card numbers into public payphones. They would then either use the numbers themselves to make long-distance calls or sell them for a cheaper price.

What is the difference between tailgating and shoulder surfing?

What is the difference between tailgating and shoulder surfing? Tailgating means following someone else through a door or gateway to enter premises without authorization. Shoulder surfing means observing someone type a PIN or password or other confidential data.

Which of the following is the best description of shoulder surfing?

(Shoulder surfing is best defined as watching someone enter important information.)

What is a possible defense against shoulder surfing?

In order to protect yourself from shoulder surfing, you should take precautions when entering personal information into devices or filling out forms in public. Angle your computer or cell phone screen so that other people cannot see what you are typing. Use a privacy screen to make your screen less visible to others.

Which crime is most likely to use shoulder surfing?

At worst, shoulder surfing can expose you to identity theft. A criminal may use your personal information, such as your Social Security number, to open new credit accounts, apply for loans, rent apartments or apply for jobs under your name.

Is shoulder surfing social engineering?

Shoulder surfing is actually a form of social engineering. It basically means an unauthorized third party is able to view a screen and any confidential data displayed on an electronic device.

What is possible defense against shoulder surfing?

What is dumpster diving and shoulder surfing?

It literally involves getting into a dumpster and going through the trash, searching through garbage bags, looking in wastebaskets, and rummaging through other places where people may have disposed sensitive information. This method of breaching security remains popular because it is so effective.