Think of it like a con artist who uses persuasion instead of force to get what they want. Social engineers prey on human emotions and vulnerabilities, such as trust, fear, or urgency, to trick their victims into making bad decisions.

It is a tactic where Cyber adversaries play on human trust and emotions. By cleverly manipulating people, they can trick them into giving away sensitive information, like passwords or account details. This stolen information can then be used to compromise a person’s security, putting their data and online accounts at risk.

Here are some of the common techniques used in social engineering:

• Phishing: This involves sending emails or SMS messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, like your bank or a tech company. The message will often try to create a sense of urgency or panic, and will direct you to a fake website where you’ll be asked to enter your personal information.
• Pretexting: The attacker creates a fake scenario, or pretext, to gain your trust and get you to reveal information. For instance, they might call you pretending to be from IT support and ask for your password to fix a problem with your computer.
• Baiting: This involves offering something that seems too good to be true, like a free gift or a chance to win a prize. Once you click on the link or download the attachment, you could end up installing malware on your device.

Social engineering attacks can happen online, over the phone, or even in person. By being aware of these tactics, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. Here are some tips:

• Be suspicious of any unsolicited emails, phone calls, or messages.
• Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown senders.
• Verify the identity of anyone who asks for your personal information.
• Be cautious of anything that seems too good to be true.
• If you’re unsure about something, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.