What is "email-related social engineering"?

Email-related social engineering refers to the techniques employed by attackers to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal information. This manipulation often involves exploiting human psychology, such as instilling a sense of urgency, fear, or trust, to persuade victims to click on malicious links, share sensitive data, or perform actions that can jeopardize their security.

In the context of email, this is particularly relevant because email communication is a common attack vector for social engineering tactics. Attackers may disguise themselves as trusted entities, such as banks or well-known organizations, in an attempt to gather private information from unsuspecting individuals. Understanding this concept is critical for developing awareness about potential security threats and reinforcing the importance of vigilant behavior when engaging with unsolicited or unfamiliar emails. This makes it essential for both individuals and organizations to be educated about these tactics to protect themselves effectively against such manipulative strategies.