Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Part 6 : Social Engineering — When Hackers Hack People, Not Systems

“The weakest link in cybersecurity is not technology — it's human psychology.”

Social engineering is a technique where attackers manipulate people into revealing confidential info, bypassing even the strongest technical defenses.

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Common Techniques:

🔹 Pretexting
The attacker creates a fake scenario to steal information.

Ex: Pretending to be an IT admin and asking for login credentials.

🔹 Baiting
Offering something tempting (like a free pen drive or cracked software) that contains malware.
"Free movie download ka link diya — andar malware chhupa hai."

🔹 Tailgating
Physically entering a secure building by following an employee.

🔹 Quid Pro Quo
Offering fake help or tech support in exchange for access.

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Real Incident:

A major Indian tech firm in 2021 lost client data because a fake “HR executive” called an employee and got access credentials.

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Cybersecurity Pro Skill:

Recognizing social engineering is critical for:

• Red Teaming (offensive security)

• Blue Teaming (defense & incident response)

• Awareness Training roles

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How to Stay Safe:

• Always verify unknown requests.

• Never share passwords — even if “admin” asks.

• Follow zero trust mindset: trust no one by default.

• Train your team/family — not just your computer.

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Conclusion:
Cybersecurity isn’t just about code or firewalls — it’s about psychology and awareness.
Train your mindset to think like an attacker. That’s what makes you a real cyber defender.

Coming up in next Part : Cryptography + Careers in Cybersecurity – Your Next Big Move