Social Engineering

Social engineering is a type of psychological manipulation or deception used to influence individuals to divulge sensitive information or perform actions that may not be in their best interests. Social engineering attacks are often used by cybercriminals to gain access to systems, networks, and sensitive data.

There are various techniques that can be used in social engineering attacks, including phishing, pretexting, baiting, and quid pro quo. In a phishing attack, the attacker sends a fake email or message that appears to come from a legitimate source, in an attempt to trick the recipient into divulging sensitive information or clicking on a malicious link. Pretexting involves creating a fake identity or pretext in order to obtain sensitive information from an individual. Baiting involves offering something desirable in exchange for sensitive information. Quid pro quo involves offering something in exchange for a favor, such as access to a system or sensitive data.

Social engineering attacks can be difficult to detect and prevent, as they often rely on manipulating the human element rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities. It is important for individuals to be aware of social engineering tactics and to be cautious when sharing sensitive information or performing actions online.