Using one’s social skills to trick people into revealing access credentials or other valuable information is called __________.

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When examining the question about using social skills to trick people into revealing access credentials or other valuable information, the first step is to parse what each option would mean in the context of security.
Option A: 'Social Processes.' This term is broad and generic, typically referring to how societies or groups interact and organize themselves. It does not capture the specific technique of deceiving people to obtain confidential information, so it is not the right choice for this scenario.
Option B: 'Social Engineering.' This label precisely describes the tactic of manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive data by exploiting human psychology, trust, or social norms. It aligns with the description in the question and is the recognized term in cybersecurity for this type of manipulation.
Option C: 'Social Media.' While social media platforms can be exploited in various ways, the phrase describes a medium rather than the deceptive technique itself. It doesn't inherently refer to the act of tricking someone into revealing credentials, so it is not an appropriate match for the described method.
Option D: 'Social Viruses.' This term would suggest malicious software designed to spread or damage through social mechanisms, an idea related to malware but not to the act of tricking a person into surrendering information through interpersonal interaction. It does not fit the concept requested in the question.
In summary, the term that fits the described behavior—using interpersonal manipulation to acquire access credentials or valuable information—is the one that names a widely recognized social tactic used in cybersecurity, not merely a medium or broad sociological concept. The other options either describe mediums, broad processes, or unrelated concepts and fail to accurately capture the technique at the core of the question.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS CIS 3010-16 (93684) Final Exam 12/11/25 - SH 358A 12:00 - 1:15 pm

Using one’s social skills to trick people into revealing access credentials or other valuable information is called __________.

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