OWASP SE - Social Engineering

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The OWASP SE - Social Engineering Project
This project has the purpose of documenting "Social Engineering" with open accessible and valid data about relevant topics and related questions.

Some of these questions are:


 * What is Social Engineering?
 * Is it malicious manipulation of people?
 * Is it influencing people in everyday circumstances?
 * What about ethics, are there any?

As a platform under OWASP we are free and independent, connecting to researchers and discussing valid data.

Let's start to document the unexplored areas of "people and security" (hic sunt dragones) on the world map of security research with knowledge and affiliated areas.

Description
Almost everywhere nowadays, the almost "mythical power" of Social Engineering is a prominent topic in discussions and often uttered in awe.

Could it be, that it is just a vague concept on purpose? Cherry picking successful exploitation of people. Perhaps just like snake oil?

Also interesting, is it becoming a type of brand?

Let's collect material and questions for an exploration and produce results like a cheat sheet: "what we know" and "what we don't know"

Licensing

 * We ourselves take care not to infringe any copyrights, so you can enjoy open accessible information.


 * Legally speaking, we are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/


 * All this is supposed to support you, in the spirit of the initial "O" for Open in OWASP.


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What is the OWASP SE - Social Engineering Project?
Basically a platform connecting and collecting researchers and data to shed light upon hearsay about Social Engineering or manipulation of people.

As a dedicated team of volunteers, we (yes your are invited) might be able to produce a knowledge base and references for interested people.

Presentation
Sorry, no presentation so far.

Project Leader

 * Herr Schmidt

Related Projects
Sorry, working on it.


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Quick Download
Downloads is not ready yet.

In Print
Sorry, no print so far.

Classifications
This project is currently in stage 1 - editing wiki


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=FAQs=


 * Yet another Social Engineering site?
 * Yes and no
 * Yes, the title of the project references to Social Engineering as it is a more popular term.
 * No, we focus on reliable data and discussions about manipulation of people. Others did already a very good job showing how to exploit people.
 * You are right to believe, that better tutorials etc. exist. Please keep in mind we are an open documentation project, not a sales pitch.


 * So, what will I find here?
 * We will start collecting input, your input, and publish it subsequently.
 * Thus we are enabled to discuss it and try to separate truth from illusion.


 * Okay, what is that precise?
 * Scientists openly publish their results, that we can use to point out to and connect the dots about "what we know" and "what we don't know".


 * There is no such thing as free lunch.
 * You are right, someone has to pay for it - thanks to your contributions for OWASP, it is possible to stay independent and encourage volunteers around the world to contribute.


 * What do you get out of it?
 * Have you ever been to an OWASP Meeting? Go there and have a good time - same thing here, but from the couch or wherever we are.

How can I participate in your project?
All you have to do is make the Project Leader's aware of your available time to contribute to the project. It is also important to let the Leader's know how you would like to contribute and pitch in to help the project meet it's goals and milestones. There are many different ways you can contribute to an OWASP Project, but communication with the leads is key.

.. Well that about sums it up.

If I am not a programmer can I participate in your project?
Yes, you can. That what this project is about. A good starting point is a look at our description and road map to get an idea.

= Glossary =
 * Social Engineering - "Social Engineering" as a term refers for the purpose as a OWASP Documentation Project at malicious people tricking other people for personal gains.
 * This narrow definition enables us to work on methods, while avoiding absolutely necessary ethical discussions, would we use the term in a broader sense.
 * One of the most troublesome points with Social Engineering is, we can't control what is essentially happening to the affected person. People are no machines.

= Acknowledgements =

First of all, thanks to you dear reader for taking your time reading this, perhaps some of it may prove helpful?

Security researchers, it is always amazing to find out about your work and read about it.

And, as this is an inclusive project, we thank all those undeceiving researchers and hackers laying the groundwork for this. Quoting Sir Isaac Newton in 1675: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

Contributors
We want to make sure to precisely name all contributors, also as a matter of transparency and reliability.

The first contributors to the project were:


 * Herr Schmidt

= Road Map and Getting Involved =

Road Map

 * 1) Setup Wiki – develop guidelines for participation
 * 2) Setup mailing list - connect researchers and interested people worldwide
 * 3) Improve Wiki – start discussion about ethics
 * 4) Improve Wiki – provide methods of Social Engineering
 * 5) Improve Wiki – known research, literature and best practices
 * 6) Setup working groups – worksheets for consumers
 * 7) Improve mailing list – Evaluate current structure: is it sufficient or is adjustment necessary?
 * 8) Peer review – worksheets for consumers
 * 9) Publication – worksheets for consumers
 * 10) Presentation at conferences – spread the word, distribute knowledge

Involvement
For us, the most precious appreciation possible, is your contribution of thoughts, time and recommendation. A good starting point for you is a look at our description and road map

What is always a great way of involvement is support with
 * input and data
 * subsequently structuring input and data

=Project About=