Social engineering is the art of manipulation. It is a type of psychological attack that relies on human error rather than technological vulnerabilities to gain access to systems or data. The goal of social engineering is to trick people into revealing information or performing actions that they would not normally do. Social engineering attacks can be carried out in person, over the phone, or online. They often involve some type of bait, such as an enticing email or text message, which the attacker uses to get the victim to take action. Once the victim takes the bait, the attacker can then exploit their trust to gain access to sensitive information or systems. One of the most common types of social engineering attacks is phishing. This involves sending emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or well-known company. The message will usually contain a link that leads to a fake website designed to steal login credentials or other sensitive information. Another common type of social engineering attack is tailgating. This involves following someone into a secure area without proper authorization. The attacker may try to blend in with employees or visitors and use their physical proximity to gain access to restricted areas. Social engineering attacks can be difficult to defend against because they exploit human nature rather than technological weaknesses. The best defense against social engineering attacks is education and awareness. Employees and users should be trained on how to recognize and report suspicious activity.