Social engineering is an art of gaining access to buildings, systems and data without breaking in and using hacking techniques but trough exploiting human psychology.

The hacker will call an employee in an organization and pose as an IT expert instead of searching for software vulnerability. The hackers will try to trick the employees into exposing sensitive data, including password.

The techniques of social engineering become more popular in the 90s, whereas the ideas and techniques have been in the market for a long time.

A social engineer can make his ways to your data and system instead of having all the possible security measures, policies and practical measures like having reliable security for your cloud, building’s physical security, having defensive technology and much more.

Social engineering techniques

Social engineering is a successful way for a cybercriminal to gain access to an organization system and data. The social engineer will track and get the password of a trusted employee, which he further uses to log in and snoop around for sensitive data. The cyber-criminal can also use access code or card to enter a facility to steal assets, and sensitive data.

The social engineers also use emails to get access to sensitive data. They will send emails to the co-worker, and it will say that it is from another co-worker and people trust it as it appears to b from a trusted person. Most of the employees will link on the links and open the body as they are unaware of the social engineering.

Social engineering examples

The social engineers take weeks and months to gather information before attacking. They usually search for a company phone list, organization chart, employees on social media like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn etc.

On the phone

Social engineers use phone calls to gather information as they pretend to be a co-worker or fellow employee. An organization should train their employees not to share sensitive information over the phone.

Online

The social engineer uses social networking sites to collect information about a firm. Facebook, LinkedIn and other sites carry enough information that an attacker can use to gain access to a system. They use online scams, phishing emails and other ways to gain access. They also take advantage of breaking news events, holidays, pop culture, and other devices to lure victims.