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What is Social Engineering?

Writer's picture: Chad NelsonChad Nelson

Last month, the manifesto of suspected killer Luigi Mangione was published and included an indicator of how Mangione was allegedly able to find and assassinate United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione specifically sited "social engineering" as the path he used to target Thompson.


What is social engineering and how is it used for stalking corporate executives, high net worth families, and public figures?


Social engineering refers to the manipulation of individuals into disclosing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. Unlike traditional hacking which targets technical vulnerabilities, social engineers exploit human behavior to deceive people into revealing details like passwords, financial information, travel plans, or access to secure systems. Common methods include phishing emails and impersonation phone calls.


For corporate executives, high net worth families, and public figures, social engineering presents a significant risk. These individuals are often targeted due to their access to sensitive corporate data, their financial assets, or their positions of power. Attackers use publicly available information- such as social media profiles, breach data, or company websites- to craft convincing outreach scenarios through email or phone calls.


The consequences of falling for a social engineering attack can be severe. If an executive or a member of their staff is tricked into clicking on a phishing link or providing key travel details, attackers may gain access to confidential company data, financial systems, targeting information that can be used in a physical attack. Public figures and politicians are especially vulnerable, as their personal and professional lives are often under intense scrutiny, providing attackers with a wealth of information to exploit.


To protect yourself, stay alert to suspicious requests, verify any unusual communications by calling a company directly to confirm outreach, and never share sensitive information through insecure channels.


By understanding the risks associated with social engineering, individuals can better safeguard their personal security and their organization.





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