Social networks like Linkedin, Facebook or Plaxo are real gold mines when it comes to social engineering. These websites are growing up months after months, to a point where they count today more users than there are bicycles in Beijing.

The goal of these “mangroves” is to get the more connection as you can. And everybody displays his information as a trophy.

Now, the problem is that malicious users just have to choose from any personal information available. They can easily get names, phone numbers, positions and mail addresses as well as details about the person’s habits. It’s then easy to imagine what the next steps could be.

Don’t forget to make your users aware of this risk. In most cases, an update in the Internet usage policy and a security refresh will greatly help.

From the report:

Businesses with both domestic and international employees and customers – particularly those with significant operations in Canada and the EU – should expect heightened sensitivity about the way they use telecommunications, internet and other communications service providers in the United States, and be prepared to answer questions about their use of US providers.