Social Engineering Content Detected: Easy Fix

Your inbox has an email that caught your attention. It’s from Google but different from their other emails about how well your traffic is doing. Instead, it says “Social engineering content detected”. There are some links mentioned, of pages that were flagged. Unfortunately, this probably means that your website was hacked. 

First, scan your site for malware. If your malware scanner identifies malicious code, we will show you how to clear it. If not, we’ll talk about other reasons why Google flagged your content and how to fix them. 

TL;DR: Remove the malware and make sure your site is clear of any unauthorized content. Then, ask Google to review your site once again. 

What does “Social engineering content detected” mean?

Social engineering content is an umbrella term for manipulative content that mislead the user into sharing private information. This content is typically inserted by hackers and designed to steal data.

Hackers add ads, forms, or buttons that trick customers into sharing data. They look like they belong on your site at first glance. For example, your site could have a phishing hack and a customer sees a survey pop-up. There’s a promise of gift cards in exchange for completing it. It requires them to enter personal information. This harvested data is then sold or used for identity theft purposes.

Such hacks are clearly dangerous for users, so Google flags them. Google classifies content as social engineering when it mimics a legitimate company. It could even flag logos, photos or entire pages.

In this article we’ll talk about how to identify which content is social engineering and how to remove it. 

Step 1: Identify the social engineering content

The first step is identifying any deceptive content present. There are a few ways to do it:

1. Scan your site for malware

A surefire way to identify social engineering content is to scan your site. Hackers have learnt how to hide malicious code in areas you might not even think to look. A smart  malware scanner will meticulously scan your entire site and identify the malware.

We tested all the top security plugins and put them through the ringer. We created test sites with malware and tried to figure out how the plugins performed. In our experience, MalCare was the best because it scanned the entire site – database tables and files. It also identified zero day malware, so we were not waiting for the scanner to be updated. Lastly, we never saw a false positive. 

2. Check Google Search Console

Google Search Console offers detailed reports on the security issues it identifies. For example, if your site has been blacklisted by Google, you’ll find an explanation of why. These social engineering hacks are no different. This makes it a good starting point too. 

1. Login to Google Search Console
2. Click Security and Manual Actions in the sidebar
3. Click Security Issues

In this section, you’ll find alerts about potential problems, such as phishing attempts or malware. It will tell you what needs to be addressed. 

C. Inspect flagged URLs cautiously

The next step is to visit the flagged URLs. It’s important to do this from a different computer, or using incognito mode. Hackers often hide malware specifically from website administrators, making them hard to find. By accessing your site this way, you’ll see it more like an actual visitor would. Look for content that you didn’t create. Test out forms and pop-ups too. Pay close attention to images, links, and brand related assets like logos or favicons.  

Ads are a common target for hackers who insert deceptive content designed. View your ads on different devices, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones. The display and functionality can vary across devices. Hackers can exploit these differences to hide malicious content. 

Step 2: Remove the social engineering content

Now that you’ve identified it. There are a few different ways to remove it. 

1. Using a security plugin

Considering that time is of the essence, this is the best way to go. A security plugin can clear malware without you needing any technical knowledge. It is also much faster than doing it manually. In fact, with MalCare, you can clean your site in just one click. It scans your site thoroughly first, identifying even backdoors and zero day malware. One click and a few minutes later, your site is clean. 

Here are the steps:

1. Sign up with MalCare and choose a plan. 
2. Add your site to their dashboard and it will automatically scan for your malware.

1. Click Clean Malware and give it some time. 

2. Hire a security expert

If you’re facing tough malware problems, hiring a security expert can be a smart move. These experts know exactly how to find and remove hidden threats from your website. They can handle tricky malware that is too complicated to fix on your own. Give them access to your site and they make sure your site is clean again. Most security plugins will have a similar team that can help, including MalCare. Get in touch with them to help with your site. You can also hire security services to clear it out for you.

However, keep in mind that this can be expensive and there’s a wait time. It might be a while before the expert can get to your site. 

3. Remove malware manually

If you have the time and technical knowledge, this method might be for you. Manually removing malicious code involves a comprehensive inspection of your website. Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

• Examine code: You have to examine all the code in your site files. You need to identify which of those lines of code is malicious and which are not. Then, you have to figure out how to remove the code without affecting your website. It can be tricky. We would recommend you take a backup first. 

• Identify and remove unfamiliar pages: Browse through your content thoroughly to detect any pages that you did not create. Pay attention to URLs that do not follow your usual structure.
• Scrutinize forms and payment pages: Delve into all forms and payment gateways on your site. These are prime targets for attackers aiming to collect sensitive user data. Ensure that each form and checkout page is genuine. Verify each script associated with these pages for any unauthorized alterations.
• Verify checkout processes: Navigate through the checkout process on your site, looking out for unfamiliar or incorrect pages. Any deviation from your routine process could signify a phishing attempt. Make sure checkout flows are as you had designed them to be. Redesign those pages if needed. 

Step 3: Post-hack checklist

Once you’ve cleaned the hack, there are a few things you need to do. There are security measures you have to put in place to make sure that the hackers can’t regain access. There is also a little housekeeping we recommend you do. 

• Change passwords immediately: Update all passwords related to your website, including hosting accounts, FTP accounts, and all user/admin accounts. Use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess. Consider using a password manager for better password management and security.
• Restore site content: If your site content is damaged or lost, restore it using a recent, clean backup. Verify that the restored content is free of malicious code.
• Check for unauthorized users: Examine your user list for any unauthorized accounts created during the breach. Delete any suspicious accounts. Review the login history to identify unauthorized access points and secure them.
• Check for vulnerabilities: Use MalCare’s vulnerability scanner to identify weaknesses in your themes and plugins. Immediately update any vulnerable components. Ensure that your entire software stack, including WordPress core, plugins, and themes, is up-to-date.

• Notify users and customers: Communicate openly with your users and customers about the breach. Send out emails or use social media to explain what happened, the actions taken to fix it, and provide guidance on protecting their info.
• Clear cache and remove threats: Use MalCare’s Auto-Cache Clean feature to clear your cache automatically after cleanup. Ensure that no malicious content remains in cached files, preventing reinfections.

• Change salts and security keys: After removing the threat, change the security salts and keys to invalidate any active sessions. Use a security plugin like MalCare to simplify this process.
• Reevaluate and strengthen security measures: Conduct a comprehensive security audit to identify any remaining weaknesses. Consider implementing additional security measures such as two-factor authentication, a web application firewall, and regular security scans.

Step 4: Preventing social engineering hacks

You’ve put in the effort of identifying and removing the malicious content. In this section we will talk about preventing social engineering attacks in the future. 

1. Install a security plugin 

Security plugins are the best way to protect your site against cyber threats. They automatically scan for malware, block malicious traffic, and alerts for suspicious activities. A vulnerability scanner lets you know when your WordPress needs to be updated. Some security plugins also offer features like login security and WordPress hardening.

We’ve tested the top security plugins and MalCare has come out on top. In our experience, it has the best scanner because it identifies malware in the nooks and corners. The one-click malware removal tool cleans your site without overloading your server. Its web application firewall that stops malware before it reaches your site. You can also customize the rules for geo blocking. The bot protection also kicks in when it identifies any signs of bad bots. 

2. Remove backdoors 

Backdoors are hidden entry points within a website that a hacker leaves in to gain unauthorised access. These are inserted by hackers through vulnerabilities in software or through user uploaded files. The stealthy nature of backdoors makes them challenging to detect and remove. They can be disguised as legitimate files or scripts. Even after initial malware is removed, the presence of a backdoor means that an attacker can easily regain entry. 

MalCare’s scanner is instrumental in identifying and addressing these hidden threats. Its advanced scanning algorithms go beyond typical signature-based detection methods. MalCare conducts deep scans that analyze your website’s files and databases. It looks for code anomalies and patterns often indicative of backdoors. MalCare ensures that even the most cleverly disguised backdoors are neutralized. 

3. Monitor users 

By tracking how users interact with your site, you can spot unusual behavior that may indicate an ongoing attack. For example, an unusually high number of failed login attempts could mean that a hacker is trying to gain access. In fact, MalCare has a limit logins feature that locks out a user who has tried too many times to login. Sometimes, you’ll also notice new users that you don’t recognise or user roles being changed. These are also signs of hacks like privilege escalation. Monitoring users can be an excellent way to identify early signs of a hack. 

4. Keep your website updated 

Regularly updating WordPress core, themes and files is essential to maintaining strong defenses. Hackers often use vulnerabilities to gain access to your site. Developers frequently release updates that include patches for known security vulnerabilities. By ensuring that your website is always running the latest versions, you minimize the risk. 

But we also recognise the risks of updating anything blindly. An update can be buggy and make changes to your site that you were not expecting. We recommend that you use tools like UpdateLens to assess an update first. Then test the update on a staging site as a precaution. 

5. Install an SSL certificate 

An SSL certificate secures data transferred between a website and its users. It makes it harder for attackers to intercept and misuse sensitive information, such as login credentials, personal data, or financial details. Installing an SSL certificate also enhances the credibility of your website. Users are more likely to trust and engage with your site when they see the padlock symbol in their browser. This is particularly important for websites that handle sensitive information like financial information. 

6. Implement login security 

Strengthen the defenses around your login pages by employing measures such as 2FA. They add layers of security, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access. They are able to block brute force attacks or credential stuffing to protect your site. 

Step 5: Get your site reviewed by Google

The next step is to have Google reassess your site. This is to ensure that it is no longer flagged as unsafe. To initiate this process, access your Google Search Console account and navigate to the Security Issues section. You’ll find a list of any detected problems previously identified by Google.

Once you have resolved these issues, you can request a review by clicking on Request Review. Make sure to include detailed information on how you’ve fixed the identified issues. This includes steps like implementing a security plugin, and performing a malware scan.

The review process can take up to 72 hours to finish and for your site’s security status to be updated. During this period, Google will give you regular updates. Remain attentive to any communications from Google, as they may need clarification. 

What hackers are looking for with social engineering content?

Hackers use social engineering tactics to manipulate users into divulging sensitive information. Their goals often revolve around accessing data that can be sold or used for further criminal activity. Here is what they typically aim to obtain:

• Personal identification information (PII): Data such as names, addresses and birthdates can be used for identity theft.
• Login credentials for accounts: Hackers seek usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access to online accounts. These can then be used for data breaches or fraudulent purchases.
• Financial information: Lots of hacks like card testing and social engineering are aimed at stealing financial information. Access to banking details or credit card numbers helps them make unauthorized transactions and purchases. This can lead to financial loss for your customers.
• Social media account control: Gaining control of social media accounts allows hackers to impersonate users, spread misinformation, or harvest private messages and contacts.
• Security questions for account recovery: Knowledge of security question answers equips hackers with the means to reset passwords and gain further access to a victim’s accounts.

Dangers of social engineering content

Social engineering content exploits human psychology to breach security protocols. Understanding these dangers is crucial to safeguarding digital assets and maintaining organizational integrity. Here are some of the primary dangers associated with social engineering attacks:

• You will suffer significant damage to your brand reputation as customers will lose trust in your ability to protect sensitive information.
• Websites that fall victim to these attacks can be flagged by search engines and browsers as deceptive. This alerts users to potential security threats and discourages them from engaging with the site.
• Being blacklisted by search engines can reduce website traffic. Potential visitors are unable or unwilling to access the site.
• Organizations can face severe legal consequences if they fail to comply with data protection regulations. For example, in 2022, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPA) fined Meta €265 million. They found that Facebook’s data, containing personal information, was found on a public hacking platform.
• Social engineering attacks can impact a website’s SEO and online visibility, as penalties from search engines may persist even after the breach is resolved.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous reasons a page might be flagged as social engineering. It could be anything from compromised security to unintentional exposure of sensitive data. Regardless of the cause, taking proactive steps to secure your website is essential. This is especially true for the security strategy of your site. Breached security can impact you in more ways than one.

Security solutions, such as MalCare offer a one stop shop for all your security needs. If you’re new to WordPress security, the one-click malware cleaner can remove any malicious code. The plugin will also scan your site daily and can identify malware in any of your files or database tables. The firewall is able to block all malicious attacks without you having to lift a finger. So your site is secured on all fronts. 

FAQs

How can a social engineering attack be detected?

Detecting a social engineering attack often involves being vigilant for unusual activity or requests. Warning signs include unexpected emails or messages that ask for sensitive information, unexpected attachments or links, and communications that create a sense of urgency or pressure. Additionally, monitoring for unusual login attempts, access to sensitive areas of your site, or unauthorized changes to user accounts can also help identify potential attacks. Using security software that provides alerts and logs suspicious activities can further assist in identifying these threats.

What is social proof in social engineering?

Social proof in social engineering refers to the psychological phenomenon where people look to others’ actions to determine their own, especially in unfamiliar situations. Hackers exploit this by creating fake scenarios where victims believe that other people are engaging in or endorsing a particular action. For instance, an attacker might send an email claiming that several employees have already complied with a request for confidential information, thereby encouraging the recipient to do the same.

What is social engineering testing?

Social engineering testing is a simulated exercise designed to assess how well an organization and its employees can withstand social engineering attacks. It involves attempts to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or granting unauthorized access to areas within a company’s network or facilities. This testing can include phishing simulations, fake calls, or even physical security breaches to evaluate and improve an organization’s security awareness and response tactics.

What are examples of social engineering?

Examples of social engineering in IT include:

• Phishing: Sending emails that appear to be from a trusted source, tricking recipients into providing sensitive data or clicking malicious links.
• Pretexting: Creating a fabricated scenario to engage a target, such as impersonating an IT support agent to extract login credentials.
• Baiting: Leaving malware-infected devices, like USB drives, in accessible locations, enticing individuals to plug them into their systems.
• Tailgating: Gaining physical access to secure areas by following authorized personnel through secured entry points without proper authentication.

What are some preventative measures for social engineering?

Preventative measures for social engineering hacks focus on bolstering both technological defenses and human awareness to mitigate risks. Here are some effective strategies to protect against such attacks:

• User education and training: Regularly educate employees and users about the risks of social engineering and how these attacks operate. Training sessions should cover how to recognize phishing attempts, suspicious requests for sensitive information, and other common social engineering tactics.
• Implement strong authentication measures: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security for accessing sensitive systems and data. This makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access, even if they obtain login credentials.
• Regular security audits and updates: Conduct routine security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems. Ensure that all software, including web browsers and security tools, is up-to-date to protect against the latest threats.
• Email and communication filtering: Use advanced email filtering solutions to detect and block phishing emails and other malicious communication before they reach users. Implementing spam filters and malware detection tools can reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks.