What is social engineering in ethical hacking?
Social engineering is a psychological manipulation technique used by ethical hackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, sensitive information, or confidential data. Instead of relying on technical exploits or software vulnerabilities, social engineering exploits the trust, kindness, curiosity, or ignorance of individuals within an organization. Ethical hacking course in Pune
The goal of social engineering is to trick people into revealing confidential information, providing access to restricted areas, or executing certain actions that compromise security. It could involve impersonating a trusted individual, creating a sense of urgency, or playing on emotions to manipulate targets into taking actions that benefit the attacker.
Techniques of Social Engineering
1. Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common social engineering techniques. Attackers pose as legitimate entities, often through email or messages, to trick recipients into providing sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or login credentials.
2. Pretexting
In pretexting, attackers create a fabricated scenario or pretext to obtain information from a target. This could involve pretending to be a colleague, a service provider, or even an authority figure to extract data or gain access. Ethical hacking classes in Pune
3. Tailgating
Tailgating, also known as “piggybacking,” involves an attacker physically following an authorized person into a restricted area. By exploiting the trust and politeness of individuals, the attacker gains unauthorized access.
4. Quizzes and Contests
Attackers often design seemingly innocent quizzes, contests, or surveys to collect information about their targets. Individuals willingly participate, unknowingly divulging personal or sensitive details.
5. Baiting
Baiting involves enticing individuals with an offer or reward to prompt them to perform a certain action, such as downloading malware-infected files disguised as legitimate content.
Ethical Implications of Social Engineering in Hacking
Social engineering, while a valuable tool for ethical hackers to test an organization’s security measures, raises significant ethical concerns. The manipulation of individuals and their trust breaches the principles of consent and privacy. Ethical hacking training in Pune
Ethical hackers must employ social engineering techniques responsibly and within legal boundaries. Informed consent and proper authorization from relevant parties must be obtained before conducting any social engineering tests. Moreover, the data collected during these tests should be handled with utmost confidentiality and securely disposed of once the testing is completed.
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