Social engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human psychology to gain confidential information or access to systems. Instead of relying on technical hacking methods, social engineers often use deception to trick individuals into revealing sensitive data, such as passwords or personal identification.
Common tactics include phishing emails, where attackers pose as trusted entities like banks or social media platforms, and pretexting, where they create a fabricated scenario to obtain information. Awareness and education about these tactics are essential for individuals and organizations to protect themselves from potential threats.