Social engineering rarely starts with a message. It usually begins long before that, when an attacker quietly studies a person’s public digital trail.

Old posts, forgotten bios, casual comments, and hobby updates combine into a surprisingly detailed picture. This information can then be used to craft messages that feel real, familiar, and trustworthy.

The less a stranger can learn from someone’s online presence, the harder it becomes to manipulate them. This is why reducing a digital footprint is one of the most practical ways to stay protected.  

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