Is Phishing Social Engineering?

Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into trusting them so they can steal information. It's a type of social engineering, which means using tricks to manipulate people. This article talks about how phishing is part of social engineering. It explains how bad guys pretend to be someone you know or trust to trick you.

2024-02-23

Is Phishing Social Engineering?

In 2024, phishing was responsible for 14% of all data breaches, highlighting its significant role in organizational security incidents. More alarmingly, over 70% of data breaches originated from phishing or other social engineering tactics. (Source) A notable example is the 2016 breach of Banner Health, where attackers accessed the personal information of approximately 3.7 million individuals through a phishing attack, leading to substantial data loss and reputational damage.

In this blog, we’ll explore the relationship between phishing and social engineering in cyber security, examine various phishing techniques, answer the question "Is phishing social engineering in cyber security?" and discuss strategies to mitigate these pervasive threats.

While often used interchangeably, phishing and social engineering are not the same. Phishing is a specific technique, whereas social engineering is the broader strategy behind it. Understanding the difference between the two is essential for building stronger cybersecurity defenses and recognizing how attackers manipulate human behavior to bypass technical safeguards. Here are how they are different:

Phishing

Involves misleading emails, messages, or websites.
Targets individuals by pretending to be trustworthy entities.
Aims to extract sensitive information like passwords, personal data, or financial details.

Encompasses a broader range of manipulative techniques beyond email scams.
Exploits human psychology, trust, and behavior.
Includes methods like pretexting, baiting, and tailgating.

Example: A phishing email might impersonate your bank and trick you into revealing sensitive information like your login credentials, credit card numbers, or even your social security number.

On the other hand, a social engineering attack could involve someone pretending to be an IT technician to gain physical access to your workstation, potentially stealing your phone number or bypassing multi-factor authentication—all of which can lead to identity theft

Yes! Phishing, a subset of social engineering, manipulates human behavior by leveraging psychological principles such as trust and curiosity to achieve its goals. Common phishing techniques include attacks like business email compromise (BEC), where adversaries infiltrate corporate communication channels, and fraudulent messages that may prompt individuals into divulging sensitive information.

In some cases, these schemes even involve impersonating a credit card company to lure unsuspecting victims, and the Federal Trade Commission often provides guidelines and support for those affected.

Common phishing techniques include:

Sending fraudulent emails that appear to be from trusted sources.
Redirecting users to deceptive websites.
Making fake phone calls to gather sensitive data (voice phishing or vishing).

These tactics rely on exploiting human vulnerabilities, making them highly effective.

Phishing attacks use several social engineering tactics to manipulate victims. Here’s a breakdown of the most common techniques:

Technique	Description
Sense of Urgency	Tricks you into acting fast by claiming an emergency.
Appearance of Authority	Looks official, using real logos and styles to gain trust.
Familiarity	Uses your details to seem known and trustworthy.
Likability	Talks casually to make you like and trust them.
Reciprocation	Offers something to get you to respond.
Social Proof	Says others are doing it to make you follow.
Scarcity	Claims an offer is running out to make you act quickly.
Curiosity	Teases with secrets to make you want to know more.

Most popular social engineering tactics

Real-World Examples of Phishing

Phishing is a widely used tactic where attackers trick individuals into divulging personal information—often through deceptive text messages or emails. But is phishing social engineering in cyber security? Absolutely. By exploiting trust, curiosity, or fear, phishing schemes exemplify how social engineering techniques can manipulate people into revealing sensitive data. The examples below highlight some of the most notable instances of phishing attacks and their real-world impact.

1. The 2016 U.S. Election Hack

Phishing was the entry point for hackers targeting email accounts of political figures. An email disguised as a legitimate Google security warning tricked individuals into providing their credentials.

2. British Airways Data Breach (2018)

A phishing attack led to the theft of payment details for over 400,000 customers, causing severe reputational damage to the airline.

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Final Thoughts

Understanding the connection between phishing and social engineering helps individuals and organizations recognize and mitigate risks. By knowing the tactics attackers use, you can better safeguard sensitive information and prevent falling victim to cyber threats.

If you'd like to see how phishing simulations and awareness training can boost your defenses, consider exploring tools like the Phishing Simulator and Security Awareness Training.

Editor's Note: This blog was updated on March 24, 2025.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is phishing in the context of social engineering?

Phishing is a tactic used in social engineering. Attackers send fraudulent emails, SMS messages, or any other communication method to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information.

How does phishing work as a form of social engineering?

It manipulates human psychology, using trust or fear to convince victims to click links, download attachments, or provide personal data.

Why is phishing considered a successful social engineering technique?

Because it exploits human vulnerabilities, such as curiosity or fear, making it easier for attackers to bypass technical security measures.

How can I protect myself from phishing and other social engineering attacks?

Be skeptical of unsolicited messages, use two-factor authentication, regularly update your software, and educate yourself on the latest phishing techniques.

Are there different types of phishing attacks?

Yes, including spear phishing (targeted at specific individuals), whaling (aimed at high-profile targets), smishing (phishing via SMS), Quishing ( phishing via QR codes), and Voice Phishing.

What measures can businesses take to prevent phishing attacks among employees?

Implement security awareness training, use phishing reporter tools, use email filtering tools, establish clear protocols for handling sensitive information, and conduct regular security audits.

Where can I learn more about protecting myself from social engineering tactics like phishing?

Many cybersecurity websites, government agencies, and non-profit organizations offer resources and training materials on recognizing and defending against phishing and social engineering. You can also use Google to find online security awareness training or free phishing awareness training by Keepnet Labs.

Can phishing attacks be prevented by understanding cognitive biases in social engineering?

Yes, recognizing how attackers exploit human cognitive biases—such as authority bias, urgency bias, and familiarity bias—can significantly improve your ability to detect phishing. Training programs that incorporate psychological insights can help individuals recognize manipulation tactics and resist deceptive messages.

What makes phishing more effective than traditional hacking methods in social engineering?

Phishing often succeeds more than traditional hacking because it bypasses firewalls and antivirus software by targeting human behavior. Instead of exploiting code, phishing exploits trust, emotion, and routine actions—making it a low-cost, high-impact attack vector in social engineering campaigns.

Why do phishing emails often mimic internal company communication styles?

Attackers study and replicate the tone, format, and vocabulary of internal emails to increase believability. This social engineering trick lowers suspicion and increases the chances that employees will click a malicious link or share confidential data, believing it’s a legitimate internal request.

How does curiosity play a psychological role in advanced phishing scams?

Many phishing emails trigger curiosity by referencing unknown packages, salary adjustments, or secret files. This social engineering tactic leverages the human desire to “find out more” and often results in clicks—even when the recipient is aware of phishing risks.

Could combining phishing simulations with behavioral nudges reduce social engineering risks?

Yes, pairing phishing simulations with behavioral nudges—like real-time pop-up reminders or post-click feedback—can reshape employee habits and reduce long-term risk. These nudges reinforce awareness at the moment of decision-making, where social engineering tactics typically take effect.