Final answer:
Social engineering is the act of manipulating people into giving up confidential information and is considered a significant security threat due to its exploitation of human psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option gathering public information on a target. Social engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking methods to gain access to systems, networks, or physical locations, or for financial gain. Typically, social engineers will manipulate individuals into performing actions or divulging confidential information. Rather than breaking in through technological vulnerabilities, they might pose as a trusted individual or entity to solicit sensitive information, often through emails, phone calls, or direct contact.
There are various methods of social engineering, such as phishing, pretexting, baiting, and tailgating. For example, a hacker might call an employee and impersonate an IT support person, trying to trick the employee into divulging their password. Social engineering is effective because it plays on human emotions such as trust, fear, and the desire to be helpful. Awareness and education are key defenses against these tactics, as technical security measures may not be effective in preventing human error or susceptibility to manipulation.