Attacks using social engineering rely on human trust - and by exploiting trust, one can gain access to computer systems much quicker than resorting to traditional methods if said systems are hardened to a point where it is not possible to gain entry within a short amount of time. For example, take a look at XKCD's comic strip about this topic.
Two common actions that qualify as social engineering attacks are phishing emails and pretexting. In phishing, attackers impersonate trusted entities to trick victims into revealing sensitive data or clicking malicious links. Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario—like posing as IT support or a bank representative—to extract confidential information. Both rely on psychological manipulation rather than technical hacking, exploiting trust, urgency, or fear to gain unauthorized access or control over systems and data.
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passive attacks : footprinting, trashing active attacks : sniffing, social engineering
Email is the most common vehicle for social engineering attacks, specifically phishing emails. Attackers send fraudulent emails that appear to be from a trustworthy source, enticing recipients to click on malicious links or provide sensitive information. It is essential for individuals to be cautious and verify the legitimacy of emails before taking any action.
Social Engineering
social engineering
Trojan horse, virus and worm not social engineering by prana kumar dubey, hcl cdc, agra
People often fall for social engineering because attackers exploit emotions, not technology. Techniques like urgency, fear, curiosity, and trust trick individuals into bypassing caution. Many assume cyber threats only come through technical hacks, overlooking human manipulation. A convincing tone, familiar branding, or authority-based requests (like from “IT support” or “management”) lowers skepticism. Limited cybersecurity awareness and distraction also play major roles. Social engineering works best when human instincts override logical judgment.
A social engineering attack is a psychological manipulation technique used by cybercriminals to trick people into revealing confidential information or performing risky actions. Instead of targeting software vulnerabilities, attackers exploit human emotions like trust, fear, or urgency. Common examples include phishing emails, baiting, pretexting, and tailgating. The goal is often to gain access to systems, steal credentials, or install malware. Awareness, verification, and skepticism are key defenses against these human-centered cyberattacks.
Yes, whaling is a type of social engineering attack. It targets high-level executives by using deception to trick them or their employees into revealing sensitive information, transferring funds, or approving fraudulent requests. Like phishing, whaling relies on manipulating trust rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities.