Description: Social hacking, also known as social engineering, is the practice of manipulating individuals to obtain confidential information, such as passwords or personal data. This technique relies on human interaction and psychology, exploiting trust and curiosity. Unlike technical attacks that focus on software or hardware vulnerabilities, social hacking targets human behavior, using tactics such as deception, persuasion, and emotional manipulation. Social hackers may impersonate authority figures, colleagues, or even friends to gain the victim’s trust and access sensitive information. This practice is relevant in the context of cybersecurity, as many security breaches occur due to human error, making education and awareness about social hacking essential for protecting personal and business information.
History: The term ‘social hacking’ began to gain popularity in the 1990s, although human manipulation techniques have existed for a long time. One of the most significant events was the case of Kevin Mitnick, a hacker who used social engineering to access computer systems of large corporations. His arrest in 1995 marked a turning point in public perception of computer security and the importance of cybersecurity education. Since then, social hacking has evolved with technological advancements and the use of the internet, becoming one of the main threats in the field of cybersecurity.
Uses: Social hacking is primarily used in the field of cybersecurity to identify human vulnerabilities within organizations. Companies conduct social engineering attack simulations to train their employees and raise awareness about security. Additionally, ethical hackers employ these techniques to assess the security of systems and networks, helping organizations strengthen their defenses against real attacks. It is also used in various fields, including marketing, where emotions and consumer perceptions are manipulated to influence purchasing decisions.
Examples: An example of social hacking is ‘phishing’, where an attacker sends an email that appears to come from a trusted source, such as a bank, requesting personal information. Another case is ‘pretexting’, where a hacker creates a false story to obtain data from the victim, such as impersonating a technical support employee. In 2011, the Sony PlayStation Network security breach involved social engineering techniques that allowed attackers to access information from millions of users.
