What defines a “social engineering attack”?

A "social engineering attack" is defined as manipulating individuals into providing confidential information. This type of attack relies on psychological manipulation rather than technical exploits. The attacker often preys on human emotions such as fear, curiosity, or urgency to deceive the victim, leading them to divulge sensitive data such as passwords or financial details. The effectiveness of social engineering stems from the attacker’s ability to exploit human behavior rather than relying solely on technology or software vulnerabilities.

This definition is crucial in understanding the broader context of cybersecurity, as many breaches occur not through technical hacking but via deceptive practices targeting individuals within an organization. By recognizing the signs of such manipulation, individuals can better protect themselves and their organizations from these often devastating attacks.