What is Social engineering? is a deceptive technique used by cybercriminals to manipulate people into revealing confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. Rather than relying on technical hacking methods, social engineering exploits human emotions and psychology—such as trust, fear, curiosity, or urgency—to trick individuals into giving up sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, or access to secure systems.
One of the most common forms of social engineering is phishing, where attackers send fake emails or messages that appear to come from legitimate sources like banks, employers, or service providers. These messages often contain malicious links or attachments designed to steal information or install malware. Other techniques include pretexting, where the attacker pretends to be someone trustworthy to gain access to information, and baiting, which lures victims with free offers or downloads that carry hidden threats.
Social engineering can also happen offline. For example, tailgating involves an unauthorized person following an employee into a secure building without using proper credentials. These attacks rely on natural human tendencies to be polite, helpful, or cooperative, making them difficult to detect with technical defenses alone.
To combat social engineering, awareness and education are key. Individuals and organizations must learn how to recognize suspicious behavior, verify identities before sharing information, and implement policies like multi-factor authentication and security training. By understanding the tactics used in social engineering, people can better protect themselves and their organizations from these manipulative attacks.
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