9 Examples of Social Engineering Attacks and How Penetration Testing Helps Prevent Them

Blog posted on 10th January 2026

Introduction

Social engineering remains one of the most common and effective tactics used by attackers to bypass security defences. Rather than targeting firewalls or systems, cybercriminals focus on manipulating people exploiting trust, urgency, fear or curiosity to gain access to data, systems or physical environments.

With attacks becoming more sophisticated, organisations are increasingly investing in social engineering penetration testing to identify human vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. Understanding how these attacks work is a crucial first step in strengthening your organisation’s resilience.

9 Common Types of Social Engineering Attacks

Below are examples frequently seen in real-world testing engagements.

1. Phishing

Phishing involves fraudulent emails designed to steal login details, financial data or other sensitive information. Messages often appear legitimate and create urgency, such as security alerts, missed deliveries or account suspension notices.

How testing helps: Phishing simulations assess how employees respond and highlight necessary improvements in awareness and verification processes.

2. Spear Phishing / Whaling

Spear phishing targets specific individuals using personalised information gathered from public sources such as LinkedIn, company websites or social media. Whaling is a variation aimed at senior executives due to their elevated access.

How testing helps: Targeted exercises reveal whether high-risk individuals recognise manipulation or unintentionally disclose sensitive information.

3. Baiting

Baiting uses curiosity or perceived reward, for example USB drives left in public spaces or downloadable files disguised as software or documents.

How testing helps: Testing determines whether staff follow device handling policies or report suspicious items appropriately.

4. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC attacks often impersonate directors, finance teams or suppliers to request urgent fund transfers or confidential data.

How testing helps: Simulated BEC attempts uncover weaknesses in verification procedures and internal approval controls.

5. Pretexting

Pretexting involves attackers creating a convincing scenario, such as IT support requests, bank verification calls or HR-related queries, to obtain data or system access.

How testing helps: Controlled assessments reveal whether employees verify identity before sharing information or granting access.

6. Quid Pro Quo

In this attack type, the attacker offers help or a service in exchange for access — often disguised as technical support or system upgrades.

How testing helps: Exercises highlight whether staff understand escalation protocols and avoid sharing login details.

7. Smishing and Vishing

Smishing: Phishing via SMS or messaging platforms
Vishing: Manipulation via live or automated phone calls

These attacks often pressure victims into immediate action, such as approving MFA requests or sharing verification codes.

How testing helps: Vishing assessments measure how well staff handle unsolicited calls and follow secure communication practices.

8. Tailgating / Piggybacking

A physical technique where an unauthorised individual gains access to a restricted area by following someone who has legitimate entry.

How testing helps: Physical access testing identifies weaknesses in badge checks, reception controls and visitor management processes.

9. Watering Hole Attacks

Attackers compromise a website known to be used by a specific organisation or industry. When users visit the site, malware may be deployed.

How testing helps: Awareness training and secure browsing policies reduce risk, while simulated attacks test user responses and reporting behaviour.

Why Social Engineering Works

Social engineering succeeds because it targets emotional decision-making rather than technical security controls. Common psychological triggers include:

Urgency: pressure to act quickly
Authority: impersonation of trusted roles
Fear: threats of legal or account consequences
Curiosity: unexpected files or links
Helpfulness: desire to assist colleagues or customers
Reward: financial gain or exclusive access

Recognising these patterns is key to reducing the likelihood of a successful attack.

How Social Engineering Penetration Testing Strengthens Security

A structured social engineering assessment provides measurable insight into how employees, policies and processes perform under real-world threat conditions.

With CodeShield’s approach, organisations receive:

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysis to identify publicly exposed risks
Simulated phishing, vishing and physical tests designed around realistic attack paths
Targeted testing based on agreed scope, roles and processes
Plain-English reporting with clear remediation steps
Tailored training to strengthen long-term security awareness
Support aligned with compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, PCI DSS and GDPR

Protecting Against Social Engineering: Practical Steps

Strengthening resilience requires a balanced approach across people, processes and technology.

Recommended actions include:

Validate communication authenticity before responding
Never approve access or MFA requests you did not initiate
Follow documented reporting and escalation procedures
Treat unsolicited files, calls or links with caution
Use secure authentication mechanisms such as MFA
Encourage a culture where staff can question unusual requests without hesitation

Continuous awareness training and periodic testing help maintain vigilance as threats evolve.

Strengthen Your Human Security Layer

Human error remains one of the leading causes of security breaches. With targeted testing and training, organisations can build stronger awareness, reduce risk and improve overall cyber resilience.

If you want to understand how exposed your organisation may be to real-world manipulation techniques, CodeShield’s social engineering penetration testing provides clear answers and actionable improvements.

Conclusion & Author:

Social engineering attacks continue to be one of the most effective ways for attackers to bypass technical controls by exploiting human behaviour. As demonstrated throughout these examples, even well-defended organisations can be exposed if processes, awareness or verification practices are not consistently followed.

Social engineering penetration testing allows organisations to identify these weaknesses in a controlled, measurable way. By simulating realistic attack scenarios across email, phone, physical access and digital channels, testing provides actionable insight that strengthens awareness, reinforces procedures and reduces the likelihood of real-world compromise. When combined with ongoing training and clear reporting processes, it forms a critical layer in a resilient cyber security strategy.

Tom Sabine, Account Director

If you would like to discuss this topic further with Tom, have any questions, or would just like to connect in general, you can reach out to him in the following ways:

Mobile: +44 7480 730358
Email: Tom.Sabine@codeshield.co.uk