How Social Engineering Works

[Man]

Social engineering is a method of manipulating people to obtain confidential information, access systems, or perform actions that can be used to commit fraud. Unlike technical attacks (such as software hacking), social engineering focuses on the human factor, exploiting trust, inattention, or lack of knowledge.

1. Basic principles of social engineering​

Social engineering is based on psychological tricks and manipulation. Here are the key principles:

a. Trust​

• Attackers pose as trusted people or organizations (e.g. a bank, support service, colleague).
• Use official logos, communication style and details to build trust.

b. Urgency​

• They create a sense of urgency so that the victim does not have time to think through the situation carefully.
• Example: "Your account will be blocked in 24 hours if you do not confirm your details."

c. Fear​

• They use the fear of losing money, blocking an account or other negative consequences.
• Example: "We have detected suspicious activity on your account. Please confirm your details."

d. Curiosity​

• They attract the attention of the victim with something interesting or unusual.
• Example: "You've received a gift! Click here to learn more."

e. Greed​

• They promise a benefit or reward to lure the victim.
• Example: "You've won an iPhone! Enter your card details for delivery."

2. Basic methods of social engineering​

a. Phishing​

• Description: Scammers send fake emails, messages or create fake websites to get the victim's data.
• Example:
  • Letter from the "bank" asking to confirm card details.
  • A link to a fake website where the victim enters their login and password.

b. Vishing​

• Description: A telephone scam where fraudsters pretend to be bank or support service employees.
• Example:
  • Call from "bank employee": "We have noticed suspicious activity on your card. Please provide your CVV."

c. Smishing (SMS phishing)​

• Description: Fraudsters send SMS with fake links or data requests.
• Example:
  • Message: "Your account has been blocked. Follow the link to restore."

d. Substitution of identity​

• Description: The attacker impersonates another person, such as a colleague, client, or partner.
• Example:
  • The fraudster writes a letter on behalf of the boss: "Urgently transfer money to this account to close the deal."

e. What for what​

• Description: The scammer offers something in exchange for information or actions.
• Example:
  • "Get a free subscription when you download this app and enter your card details."

f. Tailgating​

• Description: A physical method where an attacker follows an employee into a company building to gain access.
• Example:
  • The scammer asks you to hold the door, saying: "I forgot my pass."

g. Pretexting​

• Description: The attacker creates a fictitious story (pretext) to obtain information.
• Example:
  • "I'm from your provider's support service. I need your details to check the line."

3. Stages of social engineering​

a. Research​

• The attacker collects information about the victim:
  • Social media.
  • Open databases.
  • Information from public sources.

b. Contact​

• The fraudster contacts the victim via email, phone, social media or in person.

c. Manipulation​

• The perpetrator uses psychological techniques to force the victim to reveal information or take action.

d. Data retrieval​

• The victim provides confidential information (e.g. card details, passwords) or performs a required action (e.g. transfers money).

e. Use of data​

• The fraudster uses the obtained information for financial gain or other purposes.

4. Examples of social engineering​

Example 1: Phishing email​

• The fraudster sends a letter on behalf of a popular online store:
  • "Your order for $500 has been confirmed. If you did not place an order, please follow the link to cancel."
• The victim follows the link and enters card details on the fake website.

Example 2: Telephone scam​

• Call from a "bank employee":
  • "We have detected an attempt to withdraw funds from your card. To confirm the transaction, please provide your CVV."

Example 3: SMS fraud​

• Message:
  • "You've won an iPhone 15! Follow the link to claim it."
• The victim follows the link and enters personal information.

5. How to protect yourself from social engineering?​

a. Be attentive​

• Do not trust messages asking for urgent data.
• Check the sender of your emails and messages.

b. Do not open suspicious links​

• Do not follow links from unverified sources.
• Check the website URL before entering data.

c. Use two-factor authentication (2FA)​

• Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

d. Do not share confidential information​

• Do not provide card details, CVV, PIN codes or passwords by phone, email or chat.

e. Install antivirus software​

• Protect your devices from malware.

f. Learn​

• Regularly study the methods of scammers and ways to protect yourself.

6. Conclusion​

Social engineering is a powerful tool that attackers use to manipulate people. It is effective because it exploits human emotions such as trust, fear, or curiosity. To protect yourself from such attacks, it is important to be attentive, use modern security technologies, and regularly educate yourself.

If you have additional questions about social engineering or how to protect yourself, ask!

 

[chushpan]

Social engineering is a method of manipulating people to obtain confidential information (passwords, card data, access to systems). Unlike software hacking, here the weak link is attacked - human psychology.

1. Main types of attacks​

1.1. Phishing​

• Goal: Steal logins, passwords, card data.
• Methods:
  • Fake emails ("Your account has been blocked!").
  • Fake websites (copies of banks, social networks).
• Example:
  

  Email from Chase with link to fake-chase.com to "confirm transaction".

1.2. Pretexting​

• Goal: Gain trust through a well-thought-out legend.
• Methods:
  • A call from “technical support” asking for the code from the SMS.
  • Imitation of a colleague/boss (“I urgently need access to the system!”).

1.3. Vishing​

• Objective: To extract data via telephone.
• Example:
  

  "This is the bank's security service. Your card has been hacked - provide the CVC to block."

1.4. Qui Pro Quo​

• Purpose: Offer "help" in exchange for data.
• Example:
  

  "I'm from the IT department. I'll set up protection for you - I need your password."

2. How do scammers work?​

2.1. Attack stages​

1. Collection of information (from social networks, data leaks).
2. Establishing contact (imitation of a trusted person).
3. Manipulation (fear, haste, authority).
4. Achieving a goal (obtaining data or access).

2.2. Psychological triggers​

• Urgency: "The account will be deleted in 10 minutes!"
• Authority: “I am your manager - transfer the money immediately.”
• Greed: "You've won an iPhone - enter your shipping details."

3. How to protect yourself?​

3.1 For regular users​

• Check sources:
  • Hover over links (don't click!).
  • Official services use domains like sberbank.ru, not sberbank-support.com.
• Do not tell anyone:
  • Passwords, CVC codes, codes from SMS.
  • Document details (passport, tax identification number).
• Enable 2FA: Google Authenticator, hardware keys.

3.2. For business​

• Employee training: Regular cybersecurity training.
• Access policies:
  • Prohibition on sharing passwords even with “managers”.
  • Checking requests via a second channel (e.g. a call).
• Monitoring: SIEM systems for analyzing suspicious activities.

4. Real examples​

• Twitter Attack (2020):
  Scammers convinced employees to give access to celebrity accounts (Obama, Musk) for crypto scam.
• Zoom Phishing (2025):
  "Zoom Update" Emails Led to Fake Password-Stealing Site

Conclusion​

Social engineering is dangerous because it exploits trust and emotions. Defense is:

1. Critical thinking (“Why am I being offered this?”).
2. Technical measures (2FA, anti-phishing).
3. Be careful on social media (don't reveal too much).

Want a case study? Describe the situation — I'll help you assess the risks!