Glossary

Social engineering

Social engineering is a manipulation technique employed by malicious actors to deceive individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security.

Unlike traditional cyber attacks that rely on exploiting technical vulnerabilities, social engineering targets human psychology and behaviour. Tactics include:

  • Phishing -  attackers masquerade as legitimate entities to steal sensitive data
  • Pretexting - the creation of a fabricated scenario to gain access to information
  • Baiting - entices victims with false promises to deliver malware
  • Tailgating - an attacker gains physical access to a restricted area by following authorised personnel. 

 


Social engineering exploits trust, fear, or urgency, making it a significant threat in cybersecurity. Effective defence against social engineering involves awareness training, scepticism of unsolicited requests for sensitive information, and verification of identities before disclosing any data or credentials.

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