Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated every day—and the tactics hackers use to steal your data are evolving faster than ever.
Social engineering, a strategy that exploits human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, is one of the most dangerous methods attackers rely on.
From phishing emails that seem harmless to pretexting scams that create fake scenarios to gain trust, these threats are designed to manipulate you into revealing sensitive information.
It’s no longer just about the tech; it’s about tricking people. But with training and awareness, these attacks can be avoided.
In this guide, we’ll cover social engineering in cybersecurity including the most common attack types, share the signs you’ve been attacked, and explain how to protect your business from becoming the next victim.
Social engineering is a cyberattack that doesn’t rely on breaking into systems—it tricks people instead. Rather than hacking firewalls or cracking passwords, attackers manipulate human psychology to get what they want: login credentials, financial details, or access to a secure system.
These attacks come in many forms, from phishing emails pretending to be urgent messages from your bank to fake IT support calls asking for passwords. Businesses and individuals alike have fallen victim, sometimes with devastating consequences.
And here’s the scary part—human error accounts for 68% of data breaches. That means people, not technology, are often the weakest link in cybersecurity.
Social engineering attacks come in many forms, all designed to exploit human psychology and trust. While some are broad scams, others are highly targeted, making them even more dangerous. Below are some of the most prevalent types of social engineering techniques, along with an explanation of how they work.
Phishing is one of the most widespread social engineering tactics. Attackers send emails, texts, or calls pretending to be a trusted source—like a bank, coworker, or service provider—hoping to trick the target into revealing sensitive information.
Clicking a malicious link in a phishing email can lead to stolen passwords, financial fraud, or malware installation.
Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario to manipulate someone into providing sensitive data. Pretexting builds trust first, unlike phishing, which relies on urgency and fear.
A scammer might pose as IT support, requesting login credentials to “fix” an issue or pretending to be a bank representative verifying account details. These tactics can be highly convincing, especially when attackers have done their homework on their targets.
Baiting plays on curiosity or greed by offering something enticing—often leading to malware infections.
It could be a free software download embedded with malicious software or a USB drive labeled “Confidential” left in a parking lot. Once plugged into a computer, the infected drive can compromise an entire system.
Tailgating (or piggybacking) is an in-person form of social engineering where an attacker gains access to a restricted area by following someone with legitimate access.
They might pose as delivery people or employees who “forgot” their badges, relying on human kindness or inattention to pass security measures.
These attacks can occur in various forms, such as emails, phone calls, or even face-to-face interactions. Attackers use generative AI and deepfake technology to enhance their social engineering efforts. For example, they may use deepfake videos or AI-generated voice messages that appear to be from a trusted figure, such as a boss or colleague, to trick individuals into taking risky actions, like transferring funds or providing sensitive information.
By mimicking voices or faces with remarkable accuracy, these technologies can make it harder to distinguish a legitimate request from a fabricated one. This evolution in attack strategies has made it even more crucial for individuals and businesses to stay vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited communications, regardless of how authentic they may appear.
Unlike traditional phishing, spear phishing is highly targeted. Attackers customize their messages using personal details—often gathered from social media or breached databases—to make them seem legitimate.
For example, an email from a colleague referencing a recent project might request login credentials, which might seem natural. Because spear phishing is more convincing, it succeeds more frequently than generic phishing attacks. More than half of organizations face phishing attempts weekly or daily.
Recognizing the warning signs of a social engineering attack can help prevent data breaches and identity theft. Attackers often rely on psychological manipulation to trick people into making mistakes. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
Increasingly, social engineers are leveraging generative AI to create convincing fake messages, voice recordings, or even videos that appear to come from someone you know. This makes it even harder to spot an attack based on tone or delivery alone, heightening the importance of verifying unexpected requests through secure, known channels.
Employee vigilance is crucial—staying alert to these signs can stop an attack before it succeeds.
Social engineering attacks rely on human error, making education and proactive security measures essential. Businesses can reduce risk by training employees, verifying requests, and strengthening account security.
Regular cybersecurity training helps employees recognize and respond to social engineering tactics. Phishing awareness training alone makes users 30% less likely to click on a phishing link.
Teaching staff how to identify suspicious emails, malicious links, and urgent scams can prevent costly breaches.
Businesses should implement strict verification procedures for sensitive requests.
If an email or phone call asks for login credentials, financial details, or personal information, employees should confirm the request through a separate communication channel before complying.
MFA adds a second layer of security by requiring users to complete an extra verification step, like a code sent to a mobile device. According to Microsoft, MFA can prevent 99.9% of account attacks, making it a simple yet powerful defense against social engineering.
Simulating social engineering attacks through penetration testing helps businesses identify vulnerabilities before real attackers exploit them. These tests allow organizations to strengthen weak points and improve employee responses to social engineering threats.
Social engineering is especially dangerous because it preys on human nature—curiosity, fear, urgency, and trust. Even the most secure technical systems can be compromised if an attacker manages to trick someone into revealing sensitive information or granting access.
A well-known example is the 2020 breach of Twitter, where attackers used social engineering tactics to gain access to internal tools. The attackers then took over high-profile accounts—including those of Barack Obama, Elon Musk, and Apple—to promote a cryptocurrency scam. The breach was traced back to a phone spear phishing attack targeting Twitter employees, demonstrating just how effective these manipulative tactics can be, even against companies with strong cybersecurity measures in place.
In recent years, these attacks have grown more sophisticated, not just in strategy but in technology. The rise of generative AI has made it easier than ever for cybercriminals to craft convincing phishing emails, impersonate voices, or even create deepfake videos of executives asking for urgent wire transfers. In fact, scams involving generative AI and deepfakes have already cost U.S. consumers and businesses over $12.3 billion, and that number is expected to rise sharply in the coming years. The combination of social engineering and AI-driven deception creates a potent threat that’s far more convincing—and more challenging to detect—than ever before.
A classic example of social engineering is a phishing email disguised as an urgent request from a trusted source.
For instance, an employee might receive an email that appears to be from their company's IT department. The email warns them that their account will be suspended unless they log in immediately. The email includes a malicious link to a fake login page, which steals their credentials.
By creating a sense of urgency and authority, attackers manipulate victims into taking actions they otherwise wouldn’t.
Phishing is the most common type of social engineering attack because it is easy to execute and highly effective. Attackers can send thousands of fraudulent emails in seconds, hoping to trick even a few recipients.
With tactics like spoofed sender addresses and fake login pages, phishing emails convincingly impersonate banks, employers, or government agencies.
The widespread use of email for business and personal communication makes phishing a persistent and growing threat.
Hackers often select victims based on publicly available information. They may scan social media, public records, and company websites to gather details about individuals and businesses.
Finance, HR, or IT department employees are common targets because they have access to sensitive data. High-profile individuals, such as executives, may also be at risk due to their organizational authority.
Attackers use this information to craft personalized phishing emails or pretexting scams, increasing the chances of success.
The best defense against social engineering is education and vigilance. Employees should receive regular training on identifying suspicious requests, phishing emails, and psychological manipulation tactics used by attackers.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra security barrier, preventing unauthorized access even if credentials are stolen.
Organizations should also implement strict verification protocols, requiring employees to confirm any unusual requests through a secondary communication channel before taking action.
A culture of skepticism toward unexpected emails, calls, or messages is key to minimizing risks.
The best way to defend against social engineering attacks is to stay ahead.
All Covered’s penetration testing services help businesses identify weaknesses before cybercriminals can exploit them.
Our team of cybersecurity experts conducts simulated attack scenarios to test your employees, systems, and security protocols against real-world threats. With detailed analysis and actionable recommendations, we help you strengthen your defenses and reduce risks.
Don't wait for a data breach to expose vulnerabilities in your business. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how All Covered’s penetration testing can safeguard your sensitive information and protect your company from costly cyberattacks. And while you wait, why not read through our Penetration Testing eBook to get a head start?