Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

In the given scenario, what type of attack did Julius, the hacker, perform?

1. Phishing

2. Reverse social engineering

3. Social engineering

4. Tailgating

The correct answer is: Reverse social engineering

In this scenario, the type of attack Julius performed is reverse social engineering. This method involves the attacker manipulating a potential victim into seeking them out for assistance, often by pretending to offer help or by creating a scenario where the victim believes they need the attacker's expertise. When reverse social engineering is employed, the hacker might first compromise a system or create a problem for the victim, thereby establishing a narrative that makes the victim feel vulnerable. Once this dynamic is set, the hacker may then present themselves as a solution, prompting the victim to reach out for help. This approach can be particularly effective because it exploits the victim's trust and inclination to seek assistance. Phishing, which is one of the other options, typically involves tricking victims into revealing sensitive information through deceitful communications, often via emails or fake websites. While phishing can be effective, it differs significantly from reverse social engineering in that it does not rely on the victim actively seeking out the attacker. Social engineering in a broader sense encompasses a variety of manipulative techniques used to influence individuals into divulging confidential information. While reverse social engineering is a subset of this larger category, the key difference lies in the method of approach—reverse social engineering focuses on making the victim come to the attacker rather than