Term used among {cracker}s and {samurai} for cracking techniques that rely on weaknesses in {wetware} rather than software; the aim is to trick people into revealing passwords or other information that compromises a target system's security. Classic scams include phoning up a mark who has the required information and posing as a field service tech or a fellow employee with an urgent access problem. See also the {tiger team} story in the {patch} entry, and {rubber-hose cryptanalysis}.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {rubber-hose cryptanalysis}{samurai}]