How attackers exploit human nature: Social engineering cyber security examples explained

Attackers have long known that humans, not machines, are often the easiest way into a system. Social engineering relies on manipulating trust, urgency, and human behaviour to bypass traditional cyber defences. These attacks are increasing in sophistication and frequency, making awareness essential at every level of an organisation.

This blog post breaks down common social engineering cyber security examples and explains how attackers take advantage of human nature. It also highlights what organisations can do to prevent these attacks through targeted training and awareness.

Here’s how attackers use social engineering—and what we can learn from it

Emotional triggers

Social engineering works because attackers know how to push the right buttons. Messages that create urgency, fear, curiosity or appear to come from authority figures are designed to influence decision-making. These emotional triggers are often used to rush people into clicking, sharing or giving access without thinking twice.

Phishing examples

Phishing is still the most common form of social engineering. Fake emails, login pages or messages are crafted to look legitimate and trick users into handing over credentials or sensitive data. Whether it’s a fake invoice or a “reset your password” link, attackers are fishing for access.

Phone and voice scams

Vishing and pretexting are voice-based attacks where scammers impersonate trusted sources, like IT support or HR, to gather information. These calls often sound convincing and use insider language to build trust quickly. If someone’s fishing for details over the phone, it’s worth pausing before you bite.

Physical infiltration

Social engineering isn’t limited to screens. Tactics like tailgating (following someone into a secure area) or impersonating a contractor can give attackers physical access to systems or data. These methods rely on social norms like politeness and trust—making them surprisingly effective.

Social media use

Attackers often use publicly shared information to personalise their approach. Job titles, team structures, and even office events posted online can help craft convincing phishing messages. Oversharing online can make it easier for attackers to hook the right target.

Building resilience through awareness

Training that focuses on human behaviour

Cyber security training shouldn’t just be technical. Real-world scenarios that show how social engineering works help staff recognise and respond to threats. It’s about understanding how people are targeted—not just how systems are breached.

Encouraging a culture of questioning, empathy and empowerment

Empower staff to pause and think before clicking, sharing or letting someone in. A healthy dose of scepticism can go a long way in preventing social engineering attacks. If something feels off, it probably is. A ‘train not trick approach to learning  is key to ensuring your people feel safe and are proactively reporting scams.

Regular phishing simulations and refreshers

Ongoing simulations help keep awareness high and identify areas where more training is needed. These exercises also reinforce good habits and keep cyber security top of mind.  

Choosing the right training provider

When selecting a training provider, look for:

• Relevance: Uses realistic, industry-specific examples

• Engagement: Interactive and scenario-based learning works best

• Updates: Training content must evolve with current threats

• Support: Ongoing reinforcements, like newsletters or quizzes, help maintain awareness over time

Phriendly Phishing’s Enterprise Security Awareness programs are designed to empower organisations to build strong, informed teams that know how to spot and react to social engineering attacks.

By understanding how these attacks work and investing in behaviour-focused training, organisations can build a stronger, more resilient defence.

Cyber security isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. And when people know what to look for, they’re much harder to phish.  

Contact us today and find out how we can partner with you to build a cyber resilient culture.

‍