In a real IoT digital world, in recent times, we are more concerned about the personal information that is stored in smartphones. There is an urgent need to protect them from unauthorized access from other people. The first line of defense of a smartphone is its screen lock. Thus, many screen locking functions have been designated with a predefined objective of minimizing, if not eliminating the maximum chances of unauthorized access through attacks such as shoulder surfing.
Shoulder surfing is a type of social engineering attack in which an attacker obtains confidential or sensitive information such as passwords, PINs, or other personal data by observing the target's screen or keyboard inputs, typically over their shoulder, without their knowledge.
How Does a Shoulder Surfing Attack Work?
A shoulder surfing attack explains a situation when the attacker can physically view the device screens and the password typing keypad to obtain personal information i.e. one of the group of attack methods requires the hacker (attacker) to be physically close to the victims for the attack to succeed and thus a few shoulder surfing attacks will occur with intruders virus malicious intentions or virus malware accessing it. Some similarities might result from nosy to people, where it is more an invasion of our privacy.
Therefore it might be simply looking over the victim’s shoulder as the name suggests. Analyzing some hacking base, attackers will use binoculars, miniature video secrete cameras, or other optical technology based devices to spy on their victims. The aim is to get information such as usernames/IDs, passwords, personally beneficial or sensitive information, and credit card numbers to profit from it using Shoulder Surfing in Cyber Security.
Example:
- If we are using an ATM Card, someone positioned themselves in such a way that they are enabled to watch it when you enter your PIN. In a rush, you leave the ATM with your card and money without making sure it had exited entirely out of your accounts. If the ATM doesn’t require the card to be inserted for the all-over full transaction, other transactions are secured if you don’t confirm that you have any other transaction to make as long as the attacker knows your ATM PINs.
- This victim accidentally leaves their devices in public places and watches the victims as he enters their passwords encryption into their computers PC just moments before, the attacker can unlock the device or view it with this information, putting any frequent sensitive data on the computer at its own risk.
- When there is Crowded public in transmitting making the work it easy for attackers to see the devices screens of others or hear conversations of others. In this phase, they’re literally looking for an attack over the victim’s shoulder.
How to Prevent Shoulder Surfing Attacks?
The following are simple ways to protect yourself from shoulder surfing in a daily basis when entering or accessing personal secret data on a virtually protected device in daily life basis:
1. Use Screen Privacy Filters
Install a screen privacy filter on your device. These filters limit the viewing angle, ensuring that only the person directly in front of the screen can see its contents.
2. Position Yourself Strategically
Be aware of your surroundings and try to position yourself so that your screen isn’t visible to others, especially in public places.
Choose a seat where your back is against a wall or in a corner to reduce the chances of someone peeking at your screen.
3. Enable Screen Locking
Always lock your device when not in use, especially in public places. Use strong passwords or biometric authentication (fingerprint, face recognition) to ensure your device remains secure.
4. Use Virtual Keyboards or PIN Pads
When entering sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, use on-screen keyboards or PIN pads that require more complex finger movements, making it harder for attackers to watch what you’re doing.
5. Be Mindful of Your Environment
Always stay alert to the people around you. If you suspect someone is looking at your screen, reposition your device or move to a more private area.
By following these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of shoulder surfing and ensure that your sensitive information remains protected in public environments.
Conclusion
A major threat in public and semi-public spaces is attacks through shoulder surfing, wherein sensitive information is seen being entered by attackers over one's shoulder. It is through this kind of attack that personal data like passwords and PINs can be compromised for gaining unauthorized access or for identity theft. Protection from shoulder surfing is mostly provided by strategies such as privacy screens, situational awareness, and other authentication methods. In today's digital age, where most of the connectivity is achieved through smartphones and personal devices, protecting personal information becomes very critical. Implementing simple yet effective measures in finding private spaces, using screen filters, and engaging in good security practices will drastically improve vulnerability to shoulder surfing and overall improvement of privacy and security.