What is pretexting in the context of information security?

Pretexting refers to a form of social engineering where an attacker creates a fabricated scenario or pretext to deceive individuals into divulging confidential information. This often involves impersonating a trusted source or using seemingly legitimate reasons to manipulate targets into providing personal data, such as passwords or financial details.

The effectiveness of pretexting lies in its ability to leverage human trust and apply pressure or urgency, making individuals more susceptible to sharing sensitive information. This technique is a significant concern in information security because it bypasses technical safeguards by exploiting human factors, making awareness and training critical for prevention.

The other options describe concepts related to IT but do not accurately capture the essence of pretexting. For instance, improving system resilience or boosting network performance pertains to technical resilience and optimization rather than deceitful information-gathering tactics. Encrypting sensitive information is a secure practice for protecting data, but it does not involve manipulation for unauthorized access. Thus, in the realm of information security, pretexting is distinctly recognized as a social engineering strategy aimed at extracting confidential information.