Types of Social Engineering Attacks
Part of Social Engineering · GCSE GCSE Computer Science revision
This comparison covers Types of Social Engineering Attacks within Social Engineering for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Social Engineering in 3.6 Fundamentals of Cyber Security for GCSE Computer Science with 18 exam-style questions and 17 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 3 of 9 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 9
Practice
18 questions
Recall
17 flashcards
Types of Social Engineering Attacks
| Attack Type | Method | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Fake emails/websites pretending to be legitimate | Email from "your bank" asking to verify details |
| Spear Phishing | Targeted phishing at specific individuals | Personalised email to company CEO |
| Pretexting | Creating false scenario to gain trust | Caller claims to be IT support needing password |
| Baiting | Offering something enticing to lure victim | Infected USB drive left in car park |
| Tailgating | Following authorised person into secure area | Walking through door behind employee |
| Shoulder Surfing | Watching someone enter sensitive information | Looking over shoulder as someone types PIN |
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Social Engineering. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Social Engineering
What is social engineering in the context of network security?
Explain how a phishing attack works.
Quick Recall Flashcards
18 questions on Social Engineering — practise free
Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 17 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.
Try PrepWise Free