What is social engineering?

Social engineering refers to the art of manipulating people into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. This technique relies on exploiting psychological tendencies and social norms rather than technological vulnerabilities. For example, an attacker might impersonate a trusted authority figure to convince an employee to disclose sensitive data or credentials.

This approach is effective because it preys on natural human behaviors, such as trust, fear, urgency, or the desire to help. By understanding these psychological triggers, social engineers can craft scenarios that seem legitimate and reliable to their targets, making it easier to achieve their malicious goals.

The focus of social engineering is primarily on human interaction rather than technological means, which distinguishes it from other strategies related to marketing automation, cybersecurity measures, or trend analysis in social media. The answer highlights its relevance as a critical aspect of security awareness, as even the most robust technological defenses can be compromised through human error or manipulation.