Introduction
Social engineering is a term that refers to the psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information. It is a type of cyber attack that relies heavily on human interaction and manipulation rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities.
Types of Social Engineering
- Phishing
- Pretexting
- Baiting
- Quid pro quo
Examples
One common example of social engineering is phishing, where an attacker sends a deceptive email pretending to be from a trusted source in order to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information such as passwords or banking details.
Case Studies
In 2016, hackers used social engineering tactics to gain access to the email accounts of top Democratic Party officials, leading to a major security breach and the leak of sensitive information.
Statistics
According to the 2020 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 22% of data breaches involved social engineering attacks. This highlights the significant impact of social engineering on cybersecurity.
Conclusion
Social engineering is a powerful tool in the hands of cyber attackers, enabling them to exploit human psychology to achieve their malicious goals. It is essential for individuals and organizations to be aware of social engineering tactics and take proactive measures to protect against them.
