Understanding Social Engineering

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to describe an example of social engineering

How Social Engineering Works

Have you ever received a message like this?

A social engineering email

It’s a tempting offer, right? What would you do?

This is a classic example of social engineering, where the threat actor is trying to gain your trust and exploit your desire for new opportunities. Social engineering isn’t a ‘hacking’ technique, involving software. Instead, the threat actor uses psychological tactics to get what they want.

The consequences of falling for such a scheme can be severe, even resulting in identity theft. With your personal information, the scammer can fraudulently open credit cards or loans in your name, drain your bank account, or even manipulate your professional network by acting as you. The attack can lead to significant financial losses and damage to your reputation.

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