pretexting
Lying for access
Pretexting is fabricating a scenario to manipulate someone into revealing information or taking action.
A pretexting call might come from someone claiming to be your bank's fraud department, asking you to verify account details.
The technique is central to social engineering and identity theft: The hacker used pretexting to get the receptionist to reset the password.
Deliberate deception for effect
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- conArgument against
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- shamFraudulent imitation
fabrication · falsehood · lie · deceit · imposture · fakery · duplicity · ruse
Defense of location
- justificationReason proving rightness
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- reasonBasis or justification
defense · plea · cover · plausible deniability · smokescreen · front
Acting out characters
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- scriptWritten words for performance
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- information gatheringAcquiring data systematically
Power to affect others
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- schemingCrafty and calculating
maneuvering · machination · orchestration · psychological pressure · trust building · emotional manipulation · confidence trick
hoax
Deliberate deception for effect
sham · fabrication · falsehood · lie · deceit · imposture · fakery · duplicity · ruse · cover story
alibi
Defense of location
- justificationReason proving rightness
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
reason · defense · plea · cover · plausible deniability · smokescreen · front
role-playing
Acting out characters
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
- scriptWritten words for performance
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
influence
Power to affect others
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- exploitationSelfish use of others
scheming · maneuvering · machination · orchestration · psychological pressure · trust building · emotional manipulation · confidence trick
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- cyber threatsmalware, phishing, hacking, virus, ransomware
- cybercrimeshacking, phishing, malware, ransomware, data breach
- cyberscamsphishing, scam emails, online scams, scams, email spoofing
- Cyberthreatsmalware, phishing, ransomware, hacking, viruses
- online scamsphishing, scam, email scam, advance fee scam, Nigerian prince scam
pretextingcandor
Unguarded truthfulness
forthrightness · sincerity · straight talk · honesty · transparency
pretended, pretending, pretense, pretentious, pretext, pretender, pretension, pretenders, pretenses