social engineering

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hackers more often break into companies using previously discovered bugs, or by stealing login credentials or using social engineering techniques.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The ramifications of the lost data could leave Americans susceptible to blackmail, coercion, social engineering or impersonation because the Social Security Administration has so much private and personal data, Borges said.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

The hackers reportedly stole the sensitive data using a social engineering technique, referring to a tactic of manipulating victims by pretending to be a company representative or other trusted person.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

Although cyber criminals could be anywhere in the world, young English-speaking hackers in the UK and US have become adept at using social engineering in their attacks.

From BBC • May 5, 2025

See also sneaker, Stupids, social engineering, cracker, hacker ethic, and dark-side hacker.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.