The unsettling truth of modern cybersecurity is that hackers know that the fastest way into your organization isn’t by breaking down a firewall or cracking encryption, but by deceiving people on the inside.

This tactic is called social engineering, and it’s one of the most powerful tools in a cybercriminal’s arsenal. 

But what is social engineering in cybersecurity? Simply put, it’s the art of influencing human behavior to bypass technical security controls. Instead of hacking systems, attackers hack trust.

Understanding how social engineering works is necessary to developing a robust security strategy. 

In this blog, we’ll break down four real-world social engineering examples. You’ll see precisely how attackers use these psychological tricks, so you can train your team to spot them and stop them — before your organization becomes the next breach headline.

1. Phishing: Still the #1 Hacker Tactic

Social Engineering Example: The “Boss” Email

Phishing remains the most common type of social engineering attack, and for good reason: it works.

Imagine receiving an urgent email from your CEO asking you to wire funds immediately or send your login credentials to fix an account issue. It’s formatted perfectly, uses the right signature, and the email address looks legitimate at first glance.

This is how hacker tactics like phishing exploit human urgency and trust. Attackers spoof executive addresses or create near-identical domains to fool employees into taking quick action without verifying the request.

These types of social engineering attacks remain the top cause of breaches globally because they bypass technology entirely and target human psychology.

Pro tip: Always verify unexpected requests by calling the sender directly. Never rely on email alone for urgent approvals.

2. Pretexting: Gaining Trust to Steal Data

Social Engineering Example: The Fake IT Support Call (AI Voice Cloning)

Pretexting attacks involve building a believable story to gain trust. A classic example is the fake IT support call.

An attacker calls an employee, pretending to be from the internal IT department. They might say, “We’re running security updates on your machine and  need your credentials to complete the install,” using confidence, authority, and technical jargon to disarm their target.

Modern hacking techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated, utilizing technology such as  AI voice cloning to create replicas of real team members or executives, thereby further reducing suspicion.

Pretexting is especially dangerous because victims believe they’re helping rather than compromising security.

Pro tip: Train employees to challenge requests for credentials, even if the caller sounds authoritative or familiar. 

If someone calls claiming to be IT and asks for your login, say, “I’m happy to help, but I’ll need to call you back through the main IT line to verify this request.” Then hang up and contact IT directly using your internal directory.

3. Baiting: When Curiosity Becomes a Vulnerability

Social Engineering Example: The Infected USB Drive

Sometimes, curiosity really does kill security. In a baiting attack, an attacker leaves a flash drive labeled something enticing, like “Executive Payroll” or “Layoff List,” in a parking lot or shared office space.

Someone picks it up and plugs it into their computer to see what’s on it. At that moment, malware installs silently, giving the attacker access to systems and networks.

Modern baiting also includes seemingly harmless downloads like apps, browser extensions, or free tools loaded with malware. These hacking tactics exploit basic human behaviors to gain entry without needing to hack anything technically complex.

Pro tip: Instruct your team to hand suspicious USB drives or devices to IT. Never plug in unknown devices.

4. Tailgating: Physical Access, No Badge Needed

Social Engineering Example: Holding the Door

Tailgating is one of the simplest but most effective types of social engineering attacks. It requires no technical skills, just social awareness.

Picture a hacker dressed as a delivery driver or contractor approaching a secure office entrance. An employee swipes their badge and holds the door open as a gesture of politeness. That’s it. The attacker is inside.

Once in, they might plug rogue devices into the network, access unlocked terminals, or gather sensitive printed documents. Tailgating works because it leverages social norms like courtesy and the human tendency to avoid confrontation.

Pro tip: Remind staff that politeness shouldn’t override security. Always check badges before allowing someone to enter secure areas.

The Best Defense Against Hacker Tradecraft? Awareness and Training

Even with the strongest firewalls and endpoint security in place, recognizing these social engineering examples is the first step to defending against them.

Want to learn more about how to empower your team with real-world-tested cybersecurity awareness training? Read our blog: 4 Ways Security Awareness Training Can Benefit Your Organization.

Or get our 5 1/2 Steps Checklist today and turn your people into your strongest defense.