Social Engineering Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Social Engineering?

Social Engineering is the use of psychological manipulation to obtain confidential information or gain access to computer systems. It is a form of attack that relies heavily on human interaction and often involves tricking people into breaking normal security procedures. Social engineers use social interactions such as phone calls, emails, and in-person conversations to extract information from unsuspecting victims. The goal may be to gain access to resources such as money, intellectual data, or physical equipment. Social engineering attacks can be very successful because they take advantage of human nature. People generally want to help others and trust their intentions, which makes them vulnerable to malicious activity. Attackers rely on this trust by using persuasive techniques such as flattery and intimidation in order to manipulate people into revealing confidential information or granting access privileges. Social engineering attacks are difficult for organizations to defend against because it is hard for computers or other technology solutions to detect these types of attacks. Organizations must implement policies and procedures that educate employees about the dangers of social engineering techniques and how they can protect themselves from attackers. These policies should include measures such as requiring authentication before providing any personal or sensitive information over the phone or online, regularly monitoring for suspicious activities, and reinforcing good security practices with regular training sessions for all staff members. Social engineering attacks are becoming increasingly common due to the proliferation of digital communication channels that have made it easier than ever before for attackers to target victims without detection.