Tools of Social Engineering
Below are several commonly used tools in the field of social engineering:
SET Tool (Social-Engineer Toolkit)
The Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET) is a versatile command line tool designed for testing social engineering approaches. It is well-regarded for its array of functionalities and techniques.
Metasploit Framework (MSF)
The MSF is part of the Metasploit Framework, one of the most extensive platforms utilized in the realm of hacking.
WifiPhisher Tool
WifiPhisher specializes in wireless networks and offers users the ability to create phishing pages specifically for Wi-Fi environments.
Maltego Tool
Maltego is renowned as one of the most powerful tools for organizing and aggregating information.
Buster Tool
This open-source tool allows users to input an email address and extract all associated registered websites.
Common Methods Used in Social Engineering
Here are some of the most widely employed methods for social engineering attacks:
Phone Manipulation
The prevalence of mobile phones among the general public makes them one of the most frequently used tools in social engineering tactics.
Dumpster Diving
Both phones and computers often contain a wealth of information within their trash folders, making them targets for many hackers.
Enticement
Hackers may use conversation to entice victims into revealing confidential information, often through various persuasive tactics.
Understanding Social Engineering
Social engineering is classified as a form of cybercrime, encompassing a suite of techniques and tactics employed by scammers to manipulate individuals and exploit their emotions. The primary aim is to extract sensitive data or persuade individuals to divulge private information. These tactics also include tricking individuals into performing certain actions that may compromise their security.
Cybercriminals frequently exploit email and social media platforms to execute their schemes. Their insatiable quest for information drives them to impersonate well-known figures or authoritative personalities on social networks, capitalizing on human vulnerabilities to achieve their goals.
Types of Social Engineering
There are several categories of social engineering tactics employed by hackers to breach systems and acquire desired information to cause harm to victims. Some of the most recognized types include:
Pretexting
This method focuses on exploiting the victim’s curiosity by sending links that lead to malware downloads to steal data from their electronic devices. Cybercriminals often make false promises to ensnare their victims and obtain the information they seek.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing is another type of social engineering in which the hacker impersonates someone else and communicates with the victim. Through such interactions, they seek to extract sensitive information by persuading the victim that their cooperation is necessary for a critical task.