Social Engineering

Social Engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking methods to gain access to buildings, systems or data. In the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) framework, it's recognized as one of the most effective attack vectors because it targets the weakest link in security: people. Social engineers employ various tactics: 1. Pretexting: Creating a fabricated scenario to extract information (e.g., impersonating IT support). 2. Phishing: Sending deceptive communications appearing to come from trusted sources to steal sensitive data or install malware. 3. Baiting: Offering something enticing to swap for information or access (like infected USB drives). 4. Quid pro quo: Offering a service or benefit in exchange for information or access. 5. Tailgating/Piggybacking: Following authorized personnel into secure areas. 6. Dumpster diving: Searching through trash for valuable information. 7. Shoulder surfing: Observing victims entering credentials or sensitive information. Defending against social engineering requires: - Comprehensive security awareness training - Implementation of proper authentication mechanisms - Clear security policies and procedures - Regular simulated social engineering attacks - Establishment of verification processes Ethical hackers must understand these techniques to effectively test an organization's security posture. By simulating real-world social engineering attacks, they help identify vulnerable employees, flawed processes, and security gaps that could be exploited by malicious actors. The psychological principles behind social engineering include authority, scarcity, social proof, familiarity, and urgency - all leveraged to bypass critical thinking and normal security procedures. Understanding these human vulnerabilities is essential for both conducting ethical social engineering tests and building robust defenses against them.

Social Engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking methods to gain access to buildings, systems or data. In the CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)…

Concepts covered: Social Engineering Concepts, Social Engineering Techniques, Insider Threats, Impersonation on Social Networking Sites, Identity Theft, Social Engineering Countermeasures