Pretexting: A social engineering technique in which an individual creates a false scenario or pretext to trick someone into disclosing sensitive information. The attacker usually pretends to be a legitimate entity, such as a bank, tech support, or another trusted person, to deceive the target into divulging confidential data, like passwords, social security numbers, or financial details. Pretexting underscores the importance of awareness and cautious behavior when handling personal or confidential data.