Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking

5.1. Modes of Thinking

To alter someone's way of thinking you must understand the way people think and in what modes they think. This seems a logical first step to even attempting this aspect of social engineering.

You might think you need to be a psychologist or a neurologist to understand the many aspects of how a person can think. Although that can help, it is not necessary. With a little research and some practical application you can delve into the inner workings of the human mind.

In August of 2001 the FBI put out a law enforcement bulletin (www.social-engineer.org/wiki/archives/ModesOfThinking/MOT_FBI_3of5.htm) that made a few very profound statements on the modes in which people think:

Simply confirming your nonverbal behavior to the client, using language from the client's preferred representational system and matching speech volume, tone, and area of speech often overcomes client reluctance to communicate.

This simple statement has a lot of depth in it. Basically it is saying that if you can first figure out the target's dominant mode of thinking and then confirm it in subtle ways, you can unlock the doors of the target's mind and help him actually feel at ease when telling you even intimate details. Logically you may ask then, "How do I figure out a target's dominant mode of thinking?"

Even asking people what their mode of thinking is will not offer a clear answer, because many people do not know what mode of thinking they often reside in. Due to that, as a social ...