Introduction
Not all hackers use code — some use psychology. Social engineering is a tactic used to trick people into giving away confidential information. From fake tech support calls to impersonation scams, attackers prey on human trust and habits. In this post, you’ll learn how social engineering works, real examples, and how to protect yourself.
Related: What is Phishing? | Avoid Online Scams Easily
What is Social Engineering?
Social engineering is a method of manipulating people into revealing sensitive info like passwords, banking details, or access to networks — without using technical hacking tools. It’s all about exploiting human psychology.
See also: What is Cybersecurity? | Protecting Your Digital Life
Common Tricks Attackers Use
Here are a few classic techniques:
- Impersonation
Attackers pretend to be someone you trust — a coworker, bank employee, or IT technician.
Example:
You get a call from someone claiming to be from “Microsoft Support” asking to fix your computer remotely.
- Pretexting
The attacker invents a scenario to gain your trust or access.
Example:
A fake HR person emails you saying they need your personal info for a job application.
- Baiting
Leaving infected USBs or offering free downloads that install malware.
Related: Viruses, Malware, Spyware | What’s the Difference?
- Tailgating
Physically following someone into a secure building by pretending to be staff.
Real-World Social Engineering Examples
- Twitter 2020 Hack:
Attackers tricked employees into giving up credentials, then hijacked celebrity accounts. - Target Data Breach (2013):
Started with a phishing email to a third-party vendor, leading to 40M credit card numbers stolen.
How to Stay Alert
- Always verify — If someone calls asking for access, hang up and contact the company directly.
- Watch for red flags — Urgency, threats, or offers that seem too good to be true.
- Use multi-factor authentication — Even if your password is stolen, they’ll need another method to log in.
- Educate others — Teach coworkers, friends, and family about common scams.
Helpful read: Antivirus vs Firewall | Do You Need Both?
Summary
Social engineering doesn’t need code — it just needs trust. By staying skeptical, verifying requests, and understanding the tricks attackers use, you can protect yourself and your digital life.
