Chapter 1 - Social engineering: The ultimate low tech hacking threat

Abstract

This chapter presents various social engineering topics, from understanding the minds of hackers and victims to methods for protecting personal, household and business information from theft and destruction. Social engineering has become the low tech hacker's most valuable and effective tool. The bad guys have continued to use the art of the con to gain access to intellectual property and if necessary the buildings that house that property. In this chapter, several examples illustrate how social engineering attacks happen in homes and businesses, and possible measures to prevent them. Today, every area of concern with security involves managing the risks associated with staying safe and secure. Most of the social engineering tools come from yard sales, thrift stores, flea markets, pawn shops, and Internet. This ranges from hats, jackets with corporate logos, tool belts, tools, listening devices, briefcases, spyware, and locks that can be used quite effectively for social engineering. The overall sneakiness of the threats associated with social engineering make it very easy for social engineers to catch anyone off guard. Several useful risk management countermeasures against social engineering are also described in the chapter.