What is a Social Engineering Attack? A social engineering attack is when someone tries to trick you into giving them sensitive information, like passwords or credit card details. Instead of breaking into a computer system, attackers use lies, trust, or fear to get what they want. These tricks can happen through phone calls, emails, or even in person. Its all about using your trust to manipulate you into making a mistake.

Common Social Engineering Attacks One common example is phishing, where a fake email looks like it is from a company you trust, asking for personal information. Another type is pretexting, where the attacker pretends to be someone you know to get information. Baiting happens when you are offered something free, like a download, but it ends up installing harmful software on your computer. Lastly, tailgating happens when someone follows you into a building or secure area by pretending to belong there.

How to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering Attacks To avoid being tricked, never give out personal information to someone you dont trust. Always double-check who is contacting you, especially if they ask for money or sensitive data. Be careful about what you click on in emails or texts, and avoid downloading anything from unfamiliar sources. Also, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication to add extra security to your accounts.

Conclusion Social engineering attacks rely on tricking you, but by staying aware and being cautious with your personal information, you can avoid falling for these scams. Always question suspicious requests and follow good security practices to protect yourself from being manipulated.