Social Engineering Holy Grail - Must read!
Lots of pentesters in the industry use social engineering in many different aspects. From creating phishing pages, to making actual phone calls to the target or even going in person. That's what makes social engineering a very complex subject that's not just purely "Manipulation" but scientifically engineering the target's mind and diverging their train of thought to your desired station.
As a person who's fond of reading and books I stumbled upon The Behavior Ops Manual (DM me if you want a free PDF copy) and man was it a good f**king read! It goes into everything advanced techniques for understanding and influencing human behavior, focusing on the Neuro-Cognitive Intelligence (NCI) system and has sections for everyone from hackers to interrogators and sales people..
Some of the key takes are:
The FATE (Focus, Authority, Tribe, and Emotion) model: a psychological framework that identifies primal instincts shaping human behavior and decision-making. Focus involves guiding attention, as people are most influenced when their mental engagement is directed and distraction-free. Authority leverages the innate tendency to respect and follow perceived power or expertise, triggering trust and compliance. Tribe taps into the human need for belonging and shared identity, with individuals aligning with the values and norms of their group. Finally, Emotion underscores the role of feelings in driving decisions, as emotional states strongly influence trust, memory, and action. By addressing these four elements, the FATE Model provides a powerful tool for effective communication, leadership, negotiation, and influence.
The Six-Axis Model of Influence: The Six-Axis Model of Influence provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and leveraging the factors that shape human behavior and decision-making. Suggestibility involves the degree to which a person is open to persuasion or external ideas, influenced by context, trust, and emotional state. Focus pertains to directing a person’s attention to specific elements, ensuring they remain engaged and receptive. Openness reflects the individual’s willingness to consider new perspectives, driven by their emotional state and rapport with the influencer. Connection highlights the importance of building trust and emotional rapport, as people are more likely to be influenced by those they feel aligned with. Compliance refers to the likelihood of an individual following instructions or agreeing to requests, often shaped by authority, social proof, and perceived benefits. Finally, Expectancy addresses the role of anticipated outcomes, where creating clear, positive expectations can guide behavior. Together, these six axes provide a powerful toolset for understanding and effectively influencing others.
The Behavioral Table of Element: a systematic framework designed to decode and categorize human behavior with precision, much like the periodic table organizes chemical elements. It provides a structured approach to understanding the drivers, triggers, and responses in social and interpersonal interactions. Each "element" in the table represents a specific behavioral pattern, emotional state, or psychological trigger that can be identified, measured, and influenced.
The BTE is divided into categories based on factors such as motivation, emotional response, cognitive state, and social dynamics, enabling users to analyze behaviors in context. For example, it may include elements like dominance, trust, fear, curiosity, or compliance, allowing for a nuanced understanding of how these factors interact. By mapping behaviors to specific elements, professionals in fields like intelligence, negotiation, or leadership can predict responses and design strategies for effective communication and influence. The Behavioral Table of Elements is widely recognized for its precision and application, particularly in high-stakes environments where understanding human behavior is critical.
Have a read at this book if you use SE in anyway and trust me you won't regret it!