Best Books On Social Engineering: Picks That Spill The Truth About Human Psychology

Books written on social engineering are pretty eye-opening cause they show how people think and how easy it is to trick someone without them even noticing. Social engineering is all about messing with how people trust or react, and these picks show real stories and tricks that people use.
Ideal Books To Read On Social Engineering

So, social engineering is basically about tricking people, but not like hacking computers or anything like that. It is more about messing with how people think and how easy it is to get someone to give you info just by talking or acting right. I know it sounds a bit sneaky, and yeah, it kinda is, but learning about it is actually really helpful, like if you wanna stop yourself from getting fooled or just wanna get why people do dumb stuff sometimes. These days, most hacks are not about tech, they are about people. People are usually the weakest spot, and social engineering is all about that.

It can be as simple as pretending to be someone else on a phone call or reading someone’s body language to figure stuff out. The crazy thing is that a lot of times, people do not even know they are getting tricked till it's too late. If you wanna understand how this works, or just don't wanna get played, reading about social engineering by adding them to your reading corner is a good start. The books I picked have real stories, tips, and explain how people’s minds work in a way that isn't too boring or hard. Once you know this stuff, you start seeing things you missed before for sure.

Ideal Books To Read On Social Engineering: Must-Reads 

There are actually a bunch of books out there on social engineering by different people. One of the main names that comes up a lot is Christopher Hadnagy. He has written a few books that really go deep into how social engineering works and how to spot it. Then there is Ross Menzie too, who has also written some pretty good stuff on this topic. And there are more authors as well, each with their own take and stories. Some focus more on the psychology part, others tell real life examples of people getting tricked. So you kind of get different views depending on who you read. If you wanna really get the full picture, it is good to check out more than one author.

  • Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking

    Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking takes a deep look at the side of hacking that has nothing to do with code or computers. It shows how hackers can get access to stuff just by asking for it the right way. No firewalls, no antivirus, just human nature being used against itself. In this book, Christopher Hadnagy breaks down the sneaky tricks social engineers use to fool even people who are trained to spot this kind of thing. And the scary part? Most of these tricks feel totally normal when they are happening. This updated second edition shares new real-life stories and research that show how easily our emotions and choices can be used against us. Hackers know how people think, and they use that to guide you into making the wrong move without even knowing it. There is no app or program that can protect against this stuff, because the target is you. But once you learn what to look for, you can start spotting the signs and keeping yourself and others safe.


    01
  • Hacking for Beginners : Comprehensive Guide on Hacking Websites

    Hacking for Beginners by Ross Menzie is a straight-to-the-point guide for anyone curious about hacking and how it really works. It covers a bit of everything, from hacking websites and smartphones to wireless networks, social engineering, and even how to run a basic penetration test. It also talks about how to keep your own systems safer, which makes it useful whether you are into security or just want to learn how hackers think. This 2022 edition was updated with suggestions from readers, so it is meant to be more beginner-friendly and packed with things people actually wanted to know. It explains different types of hackers, why they matter, and what makes them different from each other. The paperback is priced at ₹254.00 (down from ₹299), and it is available on Amazon with free delivery on your first order if you are in India. Ships fast too, so if you order soon, it could be at your door by Thursday. There is also a Kindle version for ₹241.30 if you prefer reading digital.



    02
  • The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

    The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt is a book that talks about how kids and teens are growing up in a very different world now. It starts around the year 2010, when most teenagers stopped using old flip phones and got smartphones with social media. Since then, time spent online has gone way up, and face to face time with friends and family has gone down. And so did their mental health. The book shows how children today have less freedom to play outside or explore on their own. Instead, they are being watched all the time or kept busy with screens. This might seem safe but it is not helping them grow into strong or confident adults. The book also shares how this new way of growing up is making young people more anxious, more lonely, and not ready for real life.


    03
  • Practical Social Engineering: A Primer for the Ethical Hacker

    Practical Social Engineering is a book that shows how hackers can get into systems just by going after the people instead of the tech. Even if a company has strong firewalls or fancy software, it does not help much if someone clicks a bad link or gives away info by mistake. This book helps explain how that happens and what can be done to stop it. The author, Joe Gray, shares stories and things he learned from real life. He talks about tools and tricks that social engineers use to get passwords or other private stuff. Some of it is done by faking websites or using scripts to make things look real. It is kind of scary how easy some of it is. You also learn how attackers find info about people online using stuff that is just out there. But then the book also shows how you can use that same info to keep your own company safe. That part is useful if you work in security or even just want to understand what to look out for.



    04
  • Social Development and the Sustainable Development Goals in South Asia (Routledge Research on Asian Development)

    This book looks at how South Asia is trying to reach the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. It mostly focuses on things like cutting poverty, reducing inequality, improving health, and making sure people have clean water and good sanitation. South Asia is growing fast and has a huge economy now, but at the same time it still has a lot of people living in poverty and many kids who do not get enough food. So the SDGs are a big chance to fix some of those problems in a clear and planned way. The book starts by talking about what was done with the earlier Millennium Development Goals and then goes through each country to see what they are doing to tackle poverty, health, and water issues. It also talks about how countries in the region work together, especially through a group called SAARC. At the end, the editors share what they think should be the main priorities for making social development happen.

    05

Why Knowing Social Engineering Actually Matters?

Most people believe they would never fall for tricks like this, but it actually happens more than you think. Even smart or careful people can get fooled because social engineering is not about being dumb, it is about being human. It works by using stuff we all do without thinking like trusting others, being polite, or just wanting to help. Someone might pretend to be in trouble or act like they belong, and before you know it, you gave them info you should not have. That is what makes it so sneaky. It feels normal in the moment. But once you learn how these tricks work, you start to notice them more, and it makes it way harder to fool. It really does open your eyes.

Read More: Best Books on Dark Web

Disclaimer: At Jagran, we prioritize providing the up-to-date information on the latest trending commodities and goods. This Article is written and vetted by our in-house category authors in sync with the Google guidelines on product reviews and shoppable content. Jagran is in an associate partnership, so we may earn a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

Faq's

  • What is social engineering in these books?
    +
    Social engineering is all about tricking people to get info or access, instead of hacking computers directly. These books explain how attackers use things like trust, fear, or politeness to fool people.
  • Do these books only talk about hacking tricks?
    +
    No, they also teach you how to protect yourself and your company from these tricks. So you learn both how the attacks work and how to stop them.
  • Are these books hard to read?
    +
    Most are written so regular people can understand. They use simple words and stories, not just tech jargon. You do not need to be a security expert to get what they say.