Julien is a DOD program manager. He recently accepted a friend request from a woman on social media. They chat often through direct messages. The messages started out unrelated to Julien's work. The woman's messages quickly shifted when she started complaining about her job and offering details about her work Over time, Julien and the woman started talking more and more about their work. The woman is now sending (Select the best answer) messages asking increasingly direct questions about Julien's work. What should Julien do and why?Ignore her. The woman is nosy but likely harmless.Delete their chats so that the woman no longer has access to any information he may have shared.Ask his coworkers if they've received direct messages to determine if there is a pattern programsReport it, as the woman may be part of a broader effort to gather information about DOD

Julien should report the situation because the woman's behavior is suspicious and could be part of an effort to gather sensitive information about the Department of Defense (DOD). Reporting it ensures that the appropriate security protocols are followed and any potential threat is investigated.

Supplemental Knowledge

Social engineering is a practice used by malicious actors to coerce individuals into providing confidential or personal data through various means such as social media interactions, phishing emails or phone calls. Typically the aim is access to sensitive systems.
At the core of cybersecurity lies social engineering attempts - such as unsolicited communications from unknown individuals or requests for sensitive data - it's vitally important that users recognize any signs that social engineering attempts may be underway. Such indicators could include conversations that unexpectedly shift towards work-related subjects or calls from unknown numbers purporting to represent work-related matters.

Concepts to Actions

Imagine attending a conference and coming face to face with someone unfamiliar who starts asking specific and probing questions about your company's inner workings - initially this might appear harmless enough, but as their questions grow more detailed and prying it becomes obvious they could have other motives in mind.
On social media platforms, seemingly innocent interactions could be part of an elaborate scheme to gain information. For instance, an employee could receive an unexpected friend request from someone posing as their colleague or industry professional and eventually end up discussing confidential material.

To safeguard against social engineering attacks and other cybersecurity threats, explore UpStudy’s live tutor question bank and AI-powered problem-solving services. Our platform provides comprehensive guidance on best practices for information security and helps you stay vigilant against potential threats.
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