Which term best describes a deceptive practice used to gain confidential information from users?

Prepare for the EC-Council Certified Secure Computer User Test with interactive flashcards and targeted questions. Gain insights with each answer and boost your exam readiness!

The term that best describes a deceptive practice used to gain confidential information from users is social engineering. This practice involves manipulating individuals into divulging sensitive information, often by building trust or exploiting human psychology. Techniques used in social engineering can include phishing emails, pretexting, or baiting, where attackers impersonate trusted entities or create a scenario in which victims feel compelled to share their data.

Understanding social engineering is crucial, as it highlights the importance of awareness and caution when handling personal information. While other terms like malware, spyware, and data mining relate to data security and information gathering, they do not directly describe the act of deception aimed at obtaining confidential information through manipulation of users. Malware and spyware represent types of software that can harm or monitor systems, and data mining involves analyzing large sets of data for patterns, often performed ethically and legally rather than through deceitful means.

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