Social Engineering is not a new concept but rather old-age con games applied from a web perspective. Modern-day hackers have shifted from hacking the organization’s systems as their primary target, to hacking the Human Operating System. Social engineering is a collection of techniques that relies on weaknesses in human nature, rather than weaknesses in hardware, software, or network design.
An example of social engineering is, Pretexting - the act of creating and using an invented scenario (the pretext) to persuade a target to release information. Facebook is not only the most popular social network, it's also a hotbed for social engineering cyber attacks.
Sharing personal information on social platforms, like Facebook and Twitter, Can make you a target for a social engineer.
Social engineering is the art of manipulating a person for a specific purpose. The most typical social engineering application is an undercover cop. He socially engineers his way into the criminal realm to solve a crime. A person who lures a college aged girl studying abroad into his vehicle with intentions of human trafficking is a social engineer too! A person who tricks you into being your friend on Facebook is also social engineer and may have ulterior motives. Websites that gather info, like what cartoon caricature would I look like, for nonsense are not a good idea.
Social engineering takes different form and shapes. It could be as simple as someone calling you pretending to be your bank customer care agent and requesting your banking details. Regardless of the form and shape, the success of any social engineering attack largely depends on human weakness in critically analyzing every situation. In reality, internet security is all about knowing when and who to trust with your confidential information at any given time. Alertness and avoiding to take every situation at face value will take you a long way in preventing social Engineering Attacks.
CNN tech reporter Donie O'Sullivan thought he was being safe on social media. Watch social engineer & SocialProof Security CEO Rachel Tobac prove him very, very wrong.