Social Engineering Explained: Meaning, Examples, and How It Works

Imagine this scenario: an employee at your company receives an email that appears to be from your IT department, stating there's an urgent security update that must be installed immediately to avoid a data breach. The email includes a link and warns that failure to act within the hour could result in system lockdowns. In a rush to respond, the employee clicks the link—unintentionally downloading malicious software.

This is a classic example of social engineering—an attack that relies on emotional manipulation and impersonation to trick people into granting access. In this article, we’ll answer the question, “What is social engineering?” and explain how your business can recognize and defend against these threats.

What is social engineering in cybersecurity?

So what is social engineering exactly? Social engineering involves the psychological manipulation of human psychology to gain access to sensitive information, such as bank accounts, credit card or phone numbers, and even passwords. It involves a wide range of tactics, which we’ll get into below, but ultimately preys on the very things that make us human: emotions, fears, desires, and the need for social approval.

Of course, convincing someone to willingly deliver information is much easier than finding system vulnerabilities, which is why social engineering has become a new favorite among highly skilled and beginner cyberattackers. Here are a few types of social engineering—and some social engineering red flags to watch out for.

Common types of social engineering attacks

Now that we’ve answered the question, “What is social engineering?” Let's dive into the different social engineering techniques used by hackers.

• Phishing/Spoofing: According to the FBI, the majority of data breaches involve phishing or spoofing, making them the most common of all types of social engineering. This is when a cyberattacker creates a malicious website, email, or text message that looks credible but is designed to trick people into providing information. Another phishing attack example? Social media games that prompt you to reply with personal information commonly used for password security questions (pet names, the street you grew up on, etc.).

• Vishing: Vishing (voice phishing) involves fraudulent phone calls or voice messages where attackers impersonate trusted entities—like banks or IT departments—to extract sensitive data or prompt harmful actions.

• Spear phishing: Spear phishing is a targeted version of phishing where attackers customize messages using personal or organizational details to make them appear more legitimate and convincing to a specific individual.

• Baiting: Baiting uses enticing content—like free downloads or a USB drive left in a public space—to trick victims into clicking or plugging in, leading to malware infection.

• Piggybacking/Tailgating: Piggybacking or tailgating is a physical form of social engineering, where an attacker gains unauthorized access to a restricted area by following an authorized person through a secured door.

• Scareware: Scareware tricks users with fake security warnings—like pop-ups claiming your computer is infected with malware—and urges you to download software to fix it. In reality, the download often installs malicious software or leads to further cybercrime.

• Quid pro quo: Quid pro quo attacks involve an attacker offering something—like a free product, service, or gift card—in exchange for sensitive information, like login credentials or personal data.

Social engineering red flags

Before you click on an email link or provide anyone with information over the phone, do a gut check. Odds are, if you feel something isn’t right, then it probably isn’t. Here are a few quick red flags that may signal a social engineering attempt:

• An unexpected message: Random messages that pressure you to act fast or use fear to get a response are major red flags—especially if the sender claims to be from a bank, government agency, or employer.

• Requests that prey upon emotion: Messages that invoke a sense of urgency or fear are social engineering red flags. An attacker might do this by pretending to be someone with influence over you, like a police officer, bank employee, or colleague. They could also do this by using scareware or quid pro quo.

• Spelling errors: Cyberattacks often contain intentionally misspelled words in email and website addresses. While a malicious link or email address might look legitimate at first glance, make sure the spelling is accurate. Better yet, avoid clicking the link and navigate to the source through a search engine instead.

How does social engineering work?

As covered earlier, social engineering uses deception—not system flaws—to trick individuals into providing access. These attacks often begin with a fake message or phone call, followed by trust-building tactics like impersonation, and end with the attacker extracting sensitive information.

For example, a threat actor might masquerade as a trusted colleague or authority figure—such as an IT admin, manager, or bank representative—urging the target to act quickly without thinking it through.

Unlike traditional cyberattacks, social engineering doesn’t rely on bypassing firewalls or cracking passwords. Instead, it bypasses security by targeting people, convincing them to hand over confidential information willingly.

Many social engineering attempts are highly personalized. Scammers often research their victims in advance, gathering details about their job roles, interests, or vulnerabilities to craft more convincing messages.

These attacks typically unfold in phases—starting with initial contact (like a phishing email or phone call), followed by relationship-building (through tactics like pretexting or baiting), and ending with the attacker extracting account information or login credentials. Once obtained, this information can also be used for identity theft, allowing cybercriminals to impersonate the victim, access financial accounts, or commit fraud.

Best practices for prevention

Because social engineering exploits human error rather than system vulnerabilities, it remains one of the most effective and widespread forms of cybercrime. Whether delivered through email, phone, or in person, these scams can lead to stolen credentials, financial loss, or the installation of malicious software. The best defense is a combination of technology and security awareness.

Here are key best practices to help protect yourself and your organization:

• Stay alert to suspicious messages: Avoid opening attachments or clicking links in unsolicited emails or messages. Scammers often disguise themselves as trusted contacts to trick victims into taking action.

• Verify identities: If someone contacts you unexpectedly—whether by phone, email, or in person—always confirm their identity through official channels before sharing any information.

• Educate employees regularly: Ongoing cybersecurity training helps staff recognize common social engineering tactics, from phishing emails to pretexting phone calls.

• Limit physical access: Implement secure access controls for buildings and workspaces to prevent unauthorized access through tailgating or other in-person tactics.

• Use strong authentication: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of account compromise, even if login credentials are accidentally shared.

• Report incidents quickly: Encourage a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting suspicious behavior immediately—early reporting can stop attacks before damage is done.

Secure your site from social engineering malware

Social engineering is often the first step in a larger cyberattack, paving the way for threats like ransomware and data theft. Recognizing common tactics and understanding how social engineering works is essential to protecting both personal and organizational data.

With SiteLock’s malware removal service, you can restore your website and protect it from future attacks. Still wondering: what is social engineering? Contact our team to learn more.