social engineering
noun
1
: management of human beings in accordance with their place and function in society : applied social science
2
: social methods (such as phishing) that are used to obtain personal or confidential information which can then be used illicitly
The previously noted trend of switching from social engineering to hacking methods in attacks on organizations strengthened …—
San Fernando Valley (California) Business Journal
San Fernando Valley (California) Business Journal
social engineer
noun
plural social engineers
Examples of social engineering in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Train employees on phishing and social engineering risks, which account for many credential thefts.
—Maxwell Alles, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Although law enforcement arrested some of the gang’s membership, the group remains active and has excelled at using social engineering tactics, like pretending to be an employee at a targeted company, to gain access.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 June 2025
Aflac noted its preliminary findings suggest the perpetrators used social engineering tactics to gain access to its network.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Following these attacks, Google updated its guidance on how firms can protect themselves from similar social engineering attacks.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for social engineering
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Maxwell Alles, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Although law enforcement arrested some of the gang’s membership, the group remains active and has excelled at using social engineering tactics, like pretending to be an employee at a targeted company, to gain access.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 June 2025
Aflac noted its preliminary findings suggest the perpetrators used social engineering tactics to gain access to its network.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Following these attacks, Google updated its guidance on how firms can protect themselves from similar social engineering attacks.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for social engineering
Cite this Entry
“Social engineering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20engineering. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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