<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="true">Social engineering attacks exploit human psychology and can compromise even the most secure software.Developers should understand social engineering techniques to protect sensitive user data.Phishing, the most common technique, involves tricking users into providing personal data.To defend against phishing, developers should implement 2FA, monitor login activity, and avoid sending login links via email.Pretexting involves creating fake scenarios to gain trust and extract information.Developers can defend against pretexting by establishing strict communication protocols and educating their teams.Tailgating refers to physically following an employee into restricted areas without authorization.To defend against tailgating, developers should use ID cards, badge scans, and encourage a challenge culture.Vishing and smishing are voice and SMS phishing techniques.Developers can defend against vishing and smishing by avoiding sending sensitive information via SMS and using clear branding in messages.Baiting involves enticing users with tempting offers to trick them into downloading malware.Developers should encourage the use of trusted tools, avoid cracked software, and regularly update and scan systems to defend against baiting.Developers are high-value targets due to access to admin panels, database, API keys, and user data.Security involves not only secure code but also smart human interactions.Aware developers who think like attackers are the best defense against social engineering attacks.