What distinguishes indirect social engineering from direct social engineering?

Indirect social engineering is characterized by the absence of direct, personal interaction between the attacker and the target. This type of manipulation often occurs through mediums such as email, social media, or other indirect communication channels, where the attacker does not need to establish a rapport or engage in vocal conversation. By relying on these methods, the attacker can exploit trust or gather sensitive information without the immediate, personal connection that is typical in direct social engineering, which does involve verbal communication and often a facial presence.

The nature of indirect social engineering allows attackers to be more discreet and can involve a wider reach, as they can target multiple individuals simultaneously without the limitations imposed by direct communication. This method still relies on deception, strategically crafting messages that trick the recipient into revealing confidential information or performing actions that compromise security.