Social Engineering Attack and Identity Theft

Which social engineering attack relies on identity theft?

Impersonation

Dumpster Diving

Watering hole attack

Shoulder surfing

Answer:

Impersonation, amongst the options provided, is the social engineering attack that majorly relies on identity theft by the attacker adopting another person's identity, usually someone with greater authority.

Social engineering is a form of manipulation used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that can compromise security. One of the most effective tactics in social engineering is impersonation, where attackers pretend to be someone else in order to gain access to confidential data or systems.

Impersonation relies heavily on identity theft, as the criminals assume the identity of a trusted individual to deceive their targets. By pretending to be someone with authority or access, they can trick people into sharing passwords, financial information, or other confidential data.

On the other hand, dumpster diving involves rummaging through trash to find valuable information that can be used for malicious purposes. Watering hole attacks target specific websites frequented by the victim and infect them with malware to gain unauthorized access. Shoulder surfing is the act of spying on someone to obtain sensitive information like PIN numbers or passwords.

In conclusion, impersonation is the social engineering attack that relies on identity theft, making it essential for individuals and organizations to be cautious and vigilant in safeguarding their information.