Common Social Engineering Attack Techniques

Social engineering attacks come in many forms, each designed to exploit human behavior in different ways. Here are some of the most common techniques:

Phishing – Fraudulent emails or messages designed to steal credentials or personal data.
Spear Phishing – A targeted form of phishing where attackers research the victim and personalize their messages.
Vishing (Voice Phishing) – Attackers use phone calls to impersonate authority figures, such as bank representatives or IT staff, to extract information.
Smishing (SMS Phishing) – Fraudulent text messages urging the recipient to click malicious links or provide sensitive data.
Baiting – Attackers leave malware-infected USB drives or online downloads labeled as "confidential" to entice victims into opening them.
Pretexting – Attackers fabricate a scenario (such as pretending to be a tech support agent) to convince the victim to share sensitive data.
Quid Pro Quo – A form of social engineering where attackers offer something valuable (like free software or an exclusive service) in exchange for access credentials or other sensitive information.
Tailgating/Piggybacking – Attackers physically follow authorized personnel into secure areas by pretending to be an employee or delivery worker.

These methods highlight how cybercriminals can use both digital and real-world tactics to compromise security.