What is a commonly used type of social engineering?

Social engineering encompasses a range of manipulative techniques used to exploit human psychology to gain confidential information or access to systems. Each of the listed options represents a distinct method of social engineering.

Phishing is a widely known tactic where attackers impersonate trustworthy entities in electronic communications, such as emails or messages, to lure individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. This method often casts a wide net to reach numerous potential victims.

Spear phishing, while related to phishing, is more targeted. Attackers customize their approach for specific individuals or organizations, using personal information to make their deception more convincing. This tailored method increases the likelihood of successfully extracting information from the intended target.

Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario or pretext to engage a victim and obtain information. This could include impersonating someone with a legitimate need for information, manipulating the victim's trust to glean sensitive data.

The inclusion of "All of these are correct" acknowledges that each individual technique contributes to the broader category of social engineering practices. Understanding these tactics is crucial in the realm of information security, as protecting against them requires awareness of how they can manifest in various forms.