Engineering has many definitions, which eventually come down to the art of intentionally manipulating behavior using specially crafted communication techniques.

For example, SANS describes it as a euphemism for nontechnical or low-technology means such as lies, impersonation, tricks, bribes, blackmail, and threats used to attack information systems, and a social engineer is a hacker who uses brains instead of computer brawn. Hackers call data centers and pretend to be customers who have lost their password or show up at a site and simply wait for someone to hold a door open for them. Other forms of social engineering are not so obvious. Hackers have been known to create...