What type of engineering is utilized by malware?

Malware often makes use of social engineering techniques as part of its strategy to manipulate users into compromising their own security. Social engineering involves exploiting human psychology rather than relying on technical vulnerabilities in software or hardware. This can include tactics such as phishing, where attackers disguise themselves as reputable entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, or pretexting, where they create a fabricated scenario to gain access to confidential data or systems.

By utilizing social engineering, malware can bypass robust technical defenses because it targets individuals, exploiting their trust and emotions. This is particularly effective because even the most secure systems can be undermined by human error or manipulation. The other choices, while relevant in broader discussions about security, do not specifically encapsulate the primary method through which malware typically operates. Social engineering emphasizes the human factor, which is a critical aspect of cybersecurity and malware effectiveness.