How social engineering works

When you combine the common old school methods of grifting with the technological advancements of hacking and social research, you have social engineering.

In essence, it’s the art of taking advantage of people’s hopes, dreams, secrets, and all of the information that’s available on their computers, their social media profiles, and even when they’re simply typing stuff on their computer at coffee shops and turning it all into a profile that the con men can attack.

It’s human hacking. It’s brilliant and dangerous. The tools of the trade: ads, emails, phishing, shoulder surfing. The people: smart and unscrupulous. The results: life-damaging.

This infographic by Veracode breaks down the realities of social engineering.

“Social Engineering” image courtesy of Shutterstock.