What is pretexting in the context of social engineering?

Pretexting is indeed a method of gathering information by impersonating someone else. This technique involves creating a fabricated scenario or pretext to engage the target in a way that encourages them to divulge sensitive information or perform actions that may compromise security. For instance, an attacker might pose as a bank representative or an IT support staff member claiming a legitimate need for information, thus gaining the trust of the victim. This trust-based interaction is key in social engineering, where the attacker manipulates psychological factors to exploit human behavior rather than relying solely on technical vulnerabilities.

In terms of the other options discussed, while some may relate to information gathering, they do not encapsulate the essence of pretexting. Techniques for collecting data from social media focus on publicly available information rather than deception. Direct forms of phishing typically involve misleading emails or messages that aim to trick the recipient into providing sensitive information without a constructed scenario. Finally, a denial of service attack primarily aims to disrupt services rather than gain personal information, making it unrelated to the concept of pretexting.