Social Engineering

Abstract

Traditionally, “social engineering” is a term describing “efforts to systematically manage popular attitudes and social behavior on a large scale” (Wikipedia, 2006). In this context, the practice of social engineering is the application of perception management techniques to a large populous. As it relates to terrorism, social engineering is a tool used by terrorists whose actions are intended to cause the loss of confidence in a social institution’s ability to protect the security of its citizens and assets.