When we think of hackers, we often picture someone breaking through firewalls or cracking passwords with advanced tools. But some of the most effective cyberattacks don’t rely on high-tech tactics at all—they rely on something far more accessible: human trust.
In cybersecurity, this type of manipulation is known as social engineering. Instead of directly attacking a system, social engineers manipulate people into handing over sensitive information or taking risky actions. And it works—because even the most secure networks are vulnerable if the people using them don’t know what to watch out for.
Hackers are opportunists. During times of crisis—natural disasters, public tragedies, or even major holidays—people are more emotionally engaged and more likely to act quickly without thinking. This creates the perfect storm for scammers to step in.
They may send text messages, emails, or social media posts that look like legitimate donation requests. The branding is familiar, the message is urgent, and the call to action is emotional: Help now. But the link doesn’t go to a real nonprofit—it goes straight to the attacker’s pocket.
These fake donation requests are just one of many ways social engineers exploit trust. They may:
In many cases, the goal is money. But sometimes, it’s data—names, addresses, credit card numbers, or passwords that can be used in future attacks.
A recent example of this tactic at scale is the Scattered Spider attacks on the airline industry, where attackers didn’t just breach systems—they tricked people. From phishing to impersonation, these bad actors bypassed technical defenses by targeting human behavior. Read more about it here.
Cybercriminals know that people are more likely to give during emotional or high-stakes moments—and they take full advantage of that urgency. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a local tragedy, or a viral fundraiser, scammers are quick to set traps that look legitimate but lead to fraud.
You don’t need to stop being generous—you just need to be cautious about how you give. Here are a few tips to stay safe:
Technology can only go so far if the human layer isn’t secure. That’s why modern cybersecurity strategies include user education, phishing simulations, and awareness training.
At the end of the day, protecting yourself (and your organization) means recognizing that not all threats are technical. Some of the most dangerous are psychological.
Hackers don’t just exploit software—they exploit people. And the best defense starts with knowing how.