Social Engineering

In our passwords section, we focus on how our information can be compromised by using sophisticated cyber attacks that involve programming and algorithms, but not all attacks rely on advanced technology. Some very effective ways of getting someone else's information involve tricking people instead of their devices. This concept is called Social Engineering.

Definitions

Government of Canada

"The practice of obtaining confidential information by manipulation of legitimate users." - source.

KnowB4

"Social engineering is the art of manipulating, influencing, or deceiving you in order to gain control over your computer system. The hacker might use the phone, email, snail mail or direct contact to gain illegal access." - source.

Knowledge Check

1. Based on the definitions above, explain the concept of Social Engineering in your own words.

2. How do you think Social Engineering could be applied to our combination lock and password examples from the previous section?

3. List a few examples of Social Engineering that may affect you.

In the next section, we are covering some of the most common Tactics used in Social Engineering.

🤿 Optional: Deep Dive - Social Engineering

These sites offer in-depth exploration and examples of Social Engineering

• KnowB4 - What is Social Engineering?

• Government of Canada - Social Engineering: how cyber scams trick us