Techniques of Social Engineering

[chenxiang1]

I remembered that in a previous episode, Brian taught 3 principles of social engineering. One of them was 'Authority'.

I wanted to know that for a street surveyor, would using 'Authority' helps in increasing the number of successful completed surveys, including all fields filled with actual and accurate data?

Is there other techniques that could help?

[mooy]

Well, maybe not the thing were asking for but I was in Hawaii last year and walking down the street as a normal tourist and crossed a street with no lights(I checked) and when I got to the other side I was confronted with a man who was flashing a nametag/badge and said with a voice of a officer "Do you know what you just did when you crossed that street Sir?"

At that moment I would have done anything he said. Caught off guard and with the nametag/badge flashed in front of my face.

He was not an officer of any kind but he had my full attention for a minute or so.

[chenxiang1]

That would definitely help with a badge/nametag. Emulates a police officer.

However, how about people in formal clothes, or white collars? Does it helps since it gives the impression of either a PMET level or a businessman? Would that show authority?

[hayz]

That would definitely help with a badge/nametag. Emulates a police officer.

However, how about people in formal clothes, or white collars? Does it helps since it gives the impression of either a PMET level or a businessman? Would that show authority?

If you watch the social engineering panels of the show, they do say that a nice suit does command peoples attention in a similar way to a uniform of authority

[ryanj]

Hell yeah it does, check out ep 63 and 64, Brian touches base on all social engineering techniques. What you have described here was a big part of Brians panel. he has the better part of an hour with alot of good information.

Check them out here:

Part 1:
http://revision3.com/scamschool/anything

Part 2:
http://revision3.com/scamschool/anything2

[chenxiang1]

Thanks for the help and links. Well, I've reviewed the video again, and didn't really find anything new for me yet.

However, to summarise, is it safe to say that no matter what actions, big or small, the public will generally viewed it as acceptable due to the 'Authority' status?

[ryanj]

Thanks for the help and links. Well, I've reviewed the video again, and didn't really find anything new for me yet.

However, to summarise, is it safe to say that no matter what actions, big or small, the public will generally viewed it as acceptable due to the 'Authority' status?

Check out the book that he mentions, I cant remember the name of it off the top of my head, I cant find it at my library.

[thizzlebot]

The suit works for this reason. If you are smart enough to have a job that requires you to wear a suit, you probably know a few things. As opposed to someone dressed as a homeless man because people judge you off the one second the see you.

[lavahot]

Want to hear a good example of how dressing nicely and presentation changes people's reaction to you?

So my boss got fed up with my geeky t-shirts (mostly from woot) one day and told me to start wearing nice shirts or I was gone. So I went to Kohl's and bought some shirts, shaved, and got a haircut. The next day at school I suddenly realize that I've had more conversations with girls then I've had in a while. It seemed to not be a coincidence that I didn't look like some dork. I noticed I built up confidence and had a much more upbeat attitude than I usually do.

Last Thursday I took the next step. While I was waiting for my first class to begin, I started up a conversation with a complete stranger, some girl wearing a, "I <3 NV" shirt. I looked at her with a smile and said, "Me too!" She laughed and fidgeted. We talked for at least a half-hour about what she wants to do in school, what she wants to do, etc. All because I had a commanding presence. It turns out my boss being a total jack-ass might have been the best thing for me. Thanks douchebag!

[furai]

Truedat lavahot.

I was one of those guys that thought clothes should be almost entirely functional but stuck with geeky tees(mostly generic looking ones too), warm jackets, blue jeans and shoes that didn't have my toes busting out of them.

Switchin' it up, I picked up a couple new radical looking tees, a couple nice button up dress shirts, slacks, some stylish jeans, peacock wear, and invested in a couple pairs of footwear that didn't look like a homeless person threw them out. Just an aesthetic change in clothing, a new hairstyle, gave me a fresh energy. I'm completely astounded at how people viewed and treated me based on sheer look. The female attention is incredible, but people being more willing to engage me is my payoff. Imma sexy muthafucka! yesh! When I go to an anime convention and look at the collected mass of how I use to dress, it makes me feel bad for all those really good people that are possibly going to be overlooked(in many areas) just because of their wrapping.

Also a friend of mine created two identical myspace accounts for meeting new people, mostly dating. On one he just dressed in his normal clothing and in the other rocked a smart-casual look. guess which one he had women contacting him through?

Back on topic tho.. What if you made a fake badge that sounded official as a Survey Officer Lieutenant? Wearing a suit would help too. I can't stand when people look like identity thieves/homeless/dont-care-about-their-appearance shoving clipboards in my face.

Haha, sweet, I'm shallow now!

[falkoz]

I totally agree, that the clothing can be an important thing, but your behavior can be much more important.
I've worked with a couple of guys as security at several music festivals. Once I went to a festivals as "normal payer" and some of the guys I worked before with, were there as security. They asked me to test one new guy who was working at the backstage entrance of the mainstage and asked me if I could try to get backstage.
This is what I did:
I walk straight and fast in a half circle around the normal mass to the backstage, so that it seemed like I was coming from the Front-Of-House (where the mixer is) and about 6 steps away from the security Guy I already yelled to him: "Yo, has David just passed you?" in a stressed tone. When I was about 2 steps before him, he asked back "Which David?" And while passing him I replied unnerved "The technic-guy" and *zapp* I was Backstage without a badge.
Actually (no joke!) this was before I ever even heard about Brian (you don't hear much about him, here in Germany) and I just saw yesterday on my laptop the episode when he talked about that thing and I was in a crowded train and couldn't stop laughing, because this is exactly how it works. You don't have to be important, you don't have to look important, just make the person feel, that it is much better for him to let you pass, because only because of your behavior he can figure out, that you know what you do.

[furai]

yup, I've let people pass if they do the same kinda thing. Its not fun hearing it from the friend or people in charge that you hassled their crew. Hey just doin my job but guess at the same time you have to let these people run around like that. :P

[falkoz]

Neither my goal nor the goal of his teamleader was to call that guy down but just to see how he reacts. Nobody said that he is doing something wrong, it was more like a "teaching lesson"