What is social engineering?

Social engineering: Definition, examples and how to prevent it

Social engineering is one of the most dangerous and widespread cyber threats today, with social engineering scams being a key example of these threats. Instead of targeting software vulnerabilities, cybercriminals exploit human psychology to trick people into giving up sensitive information or access, often by deliberately selecting an intended victim for their scams.

What is social engineering?

Social engineering, also known as human hacking, is a technique used by cybercriminals to manipulate individuals into performing actions or revealing confidential information. Rather than breaking into systems through technical means, attackers exploit human behavior and decision-making. Social engineering relies on human interaction rather than technical vulnerabilities to achieve its objectives.

These attacks often succeed because they take advantage of natural responses such as trust, fear, urgency or curiosity. Social engineering attacks play on these emotions to manipulate victims into making security mistakes. These tactics exploit human error, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access or steal sensitive data.

History of social engineering

The roots of social engineering stretch back over a century, with the term first coined in 1894 by Dutch industrialist JC Van Marken. While the concept originally referred to influencing social systems, it evolved into a method for manipulating individuals to reveal sensitive information or allow unauthorized access. In the early days of social engineering attacks, threat actors often relied on phone calls, impersonating trusted figures like IT support to trick victims into sharing their login credentials or other confidential details. As technology advanced, so did the tactics – phishing campaigns and malicious websites became common tools for gaining access to computer systems and sensitive information. Today, social engineering attacks are more sophisticated than ever, with cybercriminals constantly adapting their methods to exploit human psychology and technological vulnerabilities. The evolution of these attacks highlights the ongoing challenge of protecting against threat actors who use social engineering to bypass even the most secure systems.

How does social engineering work?

Hackers use psychological principles to bypass critical thinking. The most commonly used tactics include:

• Authority: The attacker pretends to be a figure of power, such as a company executive or IT administrator.

• Intimidation: Victims are pressured through threats, such as claims of account suspension or legal issues.

• Social proof: People tend to follow others. Attackers may name-drop colleagues or other victims.

• Scarcity: A limited-time offer or access to something rare can pressure people into quick decisions.

• Urgency: Attackers create a sense of urgency by imposing short deadlines or immediate threats, manipulating victims to act quickly without verifying information.

• Liking: Friendly or familiar behavior builds trust and makes victims more likely to comply.

These tactics are designed to encourage users to take actions that may compromise security. By exploiting psychological triggers, attackers can break security practices and cause security mistakes that put sensitive information at risk.

Examples of social engineering attacks

Phishing

Phishing is the most common form of social engineering, specifically a type of social engineering and one of the most prevalent phishing scams. A typical phishing email might say that your account is expiring and prompt you to update your password – these are examples of phishing attacks and phishing scams that use web links or a malicious link to direct users to a malicious website that collects your credentials.

Attackers often gather background information to identify a targeted victim and exploit the victim's trust through impersonation or pretexting. These attacks frequently aim to steal account information, personal and financial information, and compromise online accounts, sometimes resulting in identity theft. Social engineering techniques are used in these scams, and social engineering attacks rely on manipulating human psychology to trick individuals into taking risky actions.

If you want to explore this topic further, learn more about phishing here.

Baiting

Baiting involves tempting someone with a physical or digital item, such as a free USB drive labeled “confidential salary report.” Physical media like USB drives are commonly used in these attacks.

When the device is connected to a work or home computer, it can install a malware infected application or inject malicious code, compromising the computer system.

Online baiting can also direct users to malicious sites, where they may be prompted to install software that is actually malware.

A related tactic is quid pro quo, where attackers offer something enticing in exchange for access to a computer system, often leading victims to break security practices.

Pretexting

Pretexting involves building a false sense of trust over time. Attackers often gather background information about their targets before making contact, using investigation or reconnaissance to identify vulnerabilities. An attacker may pretend to be a coworker, a legitimate user within an organization, or impersonate a government agency or government agencies such as the FBI or IRS. During these interactions, they may request sensitive data such as phone records, account information, or personal details under false pretenses, gathering information over multiple conversations.

Vishing and Smishing

• Vishing is voice phishing via phone calls. The attacker impersonates a trusted company to collect information.

• Smishing is phishing via text messages sent to your mobile phone, often containing a malicious link or web links. These links are designed to steal information or install malware on your device, frequently using urgent requests to trick users.

If you'd like to dive deeper into how these tactics work, you can read more about vishing and smishing here.

Scareware

Scareware uses fake warnings to trick victims into downloading and attempting to install software that is actually malicious. Common tactics include fake antivirus software alerts or notifications claiming issues with operating systems, which prompt users to install dangerous tools. The downloaded file is often a malware infected application. Want to get a better understanding of how scareware works? Take a closer look at it here.

Account hijacking

Once an attacker gains access to online accounts, such as email or social media, they may use these accounts to infiltrate a corporate network. Attackers may also pose as an unauthorized person to further compromise security. Account hijacking often results from users being tricked into break security practices, such as revealing passwords or clicking on malicious links. Messages often contain links to malware or requests for money under false pretenses.

Why social engineering works

These attacks exploit natural human tendencies such as:

• Curiosity: Victims are tempted to open unexpected files or links.

• Trust: People tend to believe messages that appear to come from familiar names.

• Desire to help: Attackers may pretend to be in distress and ask for urgent assistance.

• Fear and urgency: Pressure tactics discourage critical thinking.

Human error and security mistakes are often the root cause of successful attacks. Social engineering exploits human error, and social engineering attacks happen because attackers manipulate these vulnerabilities.

Even trained professionals can fall for these techniques when they are distracted, tired or under pressure.

Social engineering and business

Social engineering attacks pose a serious threat to businesses of all sizes, often resulting in significant financial losses, reputational harm, and even legal consequences. Studies show that most social engineering attacks targeting organizations involve phishing attacks, with spear phishing and business email compromise (BEC) among the most damaging types of social engineering. These attacks can lead to the exposure of sensitive information, such as financial data or customer records, and can disrupt business operations. To defend against these threats, businesses must adopt strong security practices, including multi-factor authentication, regular employee training on the latest social engineering tactics, and comprehensive incident response plans. Understanding the specific types of social engineering attacks that are most likely to target their industry – such as spear phishing or BEC – enables organizations to tailor their defenses and reduce the risk of a successful social engineering attack. By prioritizing prevention and awareness, businesses can better protect their sensitive information and maintain the trust of their customers and partners.

Role of technology in social engineering

Technology is a double-edged sword when it comes to social engineering. On one hand, cybercriminals use malicious software, fake websites, and other digital tools to trick users into revealing sensitive information or gaining access to secure systems. Phishing attacks often rely on convincing emails and realistic-looking websites designed to harvest login credentials or install malware. On the other hand, technology also offers powerful solutions to prevent social engineering attacks. Many organizations now use advanced security systems, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to detect suspicious activity and block phishing attempts. Phishing simulations and interactive training programs help employees recognize and respond to social engineering tactics before they become victims. By leveraging technology for both defense and education, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of social engineering attacks and better protect their sensitive information.

How to protect yourself from social engineering

Here are some effective ways to avoid falling victim:

• Pause and think: Always read messages carefully. Ask yourself if the content makes sense and whether it applies to you.

• Verify the sender: Contact the company or person through official channels if you are unsure.

• Avoid clicking links: Use a search engine to find a company’s official website instead of clicking email links.

• Be cautious with downloads and software installations: Only download files or install software from trusted sources. If you did not expect a file, verify its legitimacy, and never install software prompted by suspicious alerts or unknown contacts.

• Never use unknown devices: Do not connect USB drives or external hardware unless you are certain of their origin.

• Be careful with background information: Avoid sharing personal or company background information online or with unknown contacts, as attackers may use this for targeted social engineering.

• Review and strengthen security settings: Regularly check your security settings to avoid weak security protocols that attackers could exploit to break security practices.

• Update operating systems and use antivirus software: Keep your operating systems and antivirus software up to date to protect both your corporate network and personal devices from vulnerabilities and malware.

• Educate your team: Provide regular security awareness training to help employees recognize threats.

• Use multi-factor authentication: This adds an extra layer of security even if passwords are compromised.

Conclusion

Social engineering remains a major cybersecurity threat because it targets people, not technology. By understanding how these attacks work and staying alert to psychological manipulation, you can significantly reduce your risk and help protect your data.