Social engineering refers to the manipulation of individuals to gain confidential information or perform actions that may not be in their best interest. It involves exploiting human psychology rather than relying on technical hacking methods. There are several types of social engineering, each utilizing different tactics to achieve its goals:

Phishing

Email Phishing: Attackers send deceptive emails, posing as trustworthy entities, to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.
Spear Phishing: A targeted form of phishing where attackers customize their approach for specific individuals or organizations, often using information gathered from social media or other sources.

Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Attackers use phone calls to impersonate legitimate entities, such as banks or government agencies, in an attempt to obtain sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers.

Impersonation

Attackers impersonate someone else to gain trust or deceive individuals. This can include posing as a coworker, IT support, or even a trusted authority figure.

Baiting

Malicious software or physical media is offered to individuals in exchange for sensitive information. For example, attackers may leave infected USB drives in public places, hoping someone will pick them up and use them.

Quizzes and Surveys

Attackers use seemingly harmless quizzes or surveys, often on social media, to gather personal information that can be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.

Pretexting

Attackers create a fabricated scenario or pretext to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information. This can involve building a fake identity or story to gain trust.

Tailgating (Piggybacking)

This involves an attacker physically following an authorized person into a restricted area or building by closely tailing them. The attacker relies on the victim’s natural inclination to hold the door open for others.

Reverse Social Engineering

In this case, the attacker first gains the target’s trust and then manipulates them into revealing sensitive information or performing actions they wouldn’t normally do.

Human-Based Threats

Exploiting the natural human tendency to trust and help others, attackers may use sympathy, urgency, or authority to manipulate individuals.

It’s important for individuals and organizations to be aware of these tactics and implement security measures, such as education and awareness programs, to mitigate the risks associated with social engineering attacks.