Let's break this down into simpler terms, like we're talking about a spy mission in a movie, but instead of spies, we have hackers (the bad guys) and their mission is to trick people to get what they want.
Just like a spy would learn everything they can about a place before sneaking in, these hackers use something called OSINT, which stands for Open Source Intelligence. This means they look up all the public information they can find about their target on the internet. It's like doing homework on someone before making a move, so they know exactly what to say or do to trick them.
After they've done their homework, the hackers use what they've learned to make their trick (like a fake email or website) look super real. For example, if they find out who your boss is, they might send you an email pretending to be them. Because the email looks like it's really from your boss, you're more likely to believe it and do what it says.
This is a fancy word for digging up personal details about someone on the internet. Hackers look at social media profiles, public records, or any place they can find information about you, like where you go on vacation or your favorite restaurant. They use this information to make their tricks even more convincing.
Sometimes, hackers pretend to be someone friendly or interesting on social media to get you to add them as a friend. Once you do, they can see your posts and learn more about you, which helps them craft their tricks.
Instead of coming directly to you, sometimes hackers set up traps, like a fake website that looks just like a real one you use, hoping you'll make a mistake and visit their fake site by accident. When you do, they can steal your password.
Hackers also use bots, which are like little computer programs, to spread fake opinions or news on social media. This can make people believe something that's not true or make a fake website seem popular and safe.