Manipulating people into breaking security or handing over information, rather than hacking systems.
Social engineering is the art of hacking humans. Instead of breaking software, the attacker exploits trust, fear, urgency, and helpfulness to get a person to click, pay, or reveal secrets. It underpins nearly every scam.
The best defense is procedural: slow down, verify independently, and treat unexpected requests with skepticism no matter how the request makes you feel.
Frequently asked questions
Why does social engineering work on smart people?
It targets emotions and situations, not intelligence. Under time pressure, fear, or excitement, anyone can act before verifying — which is exactly the state scammers try to create.