Which of the following best describes social engineering?

The ability to manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information is most accurately described by social engineering. This approach relies on psychological tactics rather than technical skills to exploit human trust and induce compliance. Social engineers often use various techniques, such as phishing emails, phone calls, or even in-person interactions, to deceive individuals into providing sensitive data, like passwords or financial details. Understanding social engineering is crucial for strengthening personal and organizational security, as it highlights the human element of cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The other options describe different aspects of cybersecurity. Implementing firewalls focuses on creating barriers to prevent unauthorized access to network resources, while installing security updates is essential for patching vulnerabilities in software. Improving network performance relates to optimizing speed and efficiency, which is distinct from the manipulative techniques employed in social engineering.