What is a common method of unauthorized information access?

Social engineering tactics are indeed a prevalent method of unauthorized information access because they exploit human psychology rather than relying solely on technical means. This approach involves manipulating individuals into revealing confidential information or granting access to secure systems by tricking them into believing they are communicating with a trustworthy source.

For instance, an attacker might pose as an IT professional and request a user's login credentials under the pretense of conducting a system upgrade. This method relies heavily on the trust and naivety of individuals, making it particularly effective since technology-based safeguards may be bypassed if a user inadvertently provides access.

While malware development, hacking into networks, and physical theft of documents are all significant threats to information security, social engineering specifically targets the vulnerabilities within human behavior, making it a uniquely effective method for attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Understanding how social engineering works is crucial in developing robust security awareness and defenses against such tactics.