The Human Factor: Preventing Third-Party Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks
The opening scene of the 1990’s film Home Alone illustrates an example of an exploitative activity known as social engineering. Harry the burglar impersonates a cop and learns from Mr. McCallister himself exactly how his home is protected from intrusions – a simple system of automatic timers for their lights and locks for their doors. This knowledge gives Harry the confidence he needs to proceed with the burglary later in the film.