Which phase in the social engineering process involves developing a relationship with the target for manipulation?

Question

Options

• AElicitation
• BPretexting
• CRelationship building
• DExploitation

• A
  4% (2)
• B
  2% (1)
• C
  87% (41)
• D
  6% (3)

Explanation

Relationship building (C) is correct because it names the specific phase where an attacker deliberately cultivates trust and rapport with a target over time, creating the emotional foundation needed for later manipulation.

Elicitation (A) is a technique used to extract information through conversation - it's a tactic, not a phase focused on building rapport. Pretexting (B) involves creating a fabricated scenario or false identity to gain trust, but it's a specific deception technique rather than the sustained phase of deepening a relationship. Exploitation (D) is the payoff phase - where the attacker leverages the built relationship to extract information or access - which comes after the relationship is established.

Memory tip: Think of social engineering like a con artist's playbook - you must first build the relationship before you can exploit it. The phases follow a logical sequence: research → pretexting → relationship building → exploitation, so "C comes before D."

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