Lesson Objective
- Describe what social engineering is and describe the following terms:
- Phishing
- Pharming
- Blagging
- Shouldering
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KS3, GCSE, A-Level Computing Resources
Lesson 2. Social Engineering
Lesson Notes
Social Engineering
Social engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human error to gain private information, access, or valuables. In the realm of cybercrime, these "human hacking" scams are designed to lure unsuspecting users into compromising situations.
Phishing
Attackers send deceptive emails or messages, pretending to be legitimate entities (such as banks or companies), aiming to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.
Pharming
In this cyberattack, criminals manipulate website traffic, leading users to a fraudulent site. These fake sites aim to capture personally identifiable information (PII) and login credentials (like passwords, social security numbers, and account details). The goal is to trick the victim into revealing confidential details or even sending money.
Blagging
Blagging involves deception, guile, or persuasion to acquire information. The blagger invents a story or scenario to gain the victim's interest.
Shouldering
Shouldering is the act of observing someone's personal information over their shoulder. For instance, it involves discreetly watching a person enter their PIN at a shop or a cashpoint.