Social Engineering: The Art of Attacks

The correct management of information systems security is often overlooked in technological measures and management efforts, and although there are now many tools to address security threats, the human aspect has been neglected. This paper discusses the human factors that could potentially lead to intrusions with social engineering. Social engineering is a method used by hackers to obtain access to systems by manipulating flaws in behavior known as mental preconceptions. Social engineering is a risk to security information and must be considered just as important as in technological areas. In this paper we also approach social engineering, taking an introductory brief in its history, what is psychological manipulation and human weaknesses, what are the social engineering attacks, how they use authority and fear establishment, it is also approached how a social engineering attack is executed, providing value monetizing the scam, and identity exploration.