27 Books like Social Engineering

The Art of Deception

by Kevin D. Mitnick • 2001

How a hacker gets past any firewall by targeting people, and how to stop it.

3.76

7k+

🎭 Social Engineering 🧠 Psychological Manipulation 🛡️ Security Awareness 🗑️ Dumpster Diving 👤 Insider Threat

The Art of Deception 98%

How a hacker gets past any firewall by targeting people, and how to stop it.

by Kevin D. Mitnick 2001

3.76

7k+ ratings

🎭 Social Engineering 🧠 Psychological Manipulation 🛡️ Security Awareness 🗑️ Dumpster Diving 👤 Insider Threat

No Tech Hacking

by Johnny Long • 2007

Hacking without technology: how open dumpsters, shoulder glances, and held doors break security.

3.94

220

🗣️ Social Engineering 🔒 Physical Security 🧠 Human Hacking 👀 Physical Surveillance 📋 Information Gathering

No Tech Hacking 97%

Hacking without technology: how open dumpsters, shoulder glances, and held doors break security.

by Johnny Long 2007

3.94

220 ratings

🗣️ Social Engineering 🔒 Physical Security 🧠 Human Hacking 👀 Physical Surveillance 📋 Information Gathering

Art of Intrusion

by Kevin D. Mitnick • 2005

A defender must win every time; an attacker needs just one opening. Ten hacks prove it.

3.91

4k+

🛡️ Cybersecurity 🎭 Social Engineering 🔍 Penetration Testing 💻 Hacker Culture 🕵️ Computer Crime

Art of Intrusion 95%

A defender must win every time; an attacker needs just one opening. Ten hacks prove it.

by Kevin D. Mitnick 2005

3.91

4k+ ratings

🛡️ Cybersecurity 🎭 Social Engineering 🔍 Penetration Testing 💻 Hacker Culture 🕵️ Computer Crime

The Art of the Con

by R. Paul Wilson • 2014

Step inside the con artist's mind: the universal scam structure and how to shut it down.

3.89

128

🎭 Confidence Games 🖥️ Social Engineering 🛡️ Scam Prevention 💰 Financial Scams 🧠 Psychological Manipulation

The Art of the Con 95%

Step inside the con artist's mind: the universal scam structure and how to shut it down.

by R. Paul Wilson 2014

3.89

128 ratings

🎭 Confidence Games 🖥️ Social Engineering 🛡️ Scam Prevention 💰 Financial Scams 🧠 Psychological Manipulation

The Confidence Game

by Maria Konnikova • 2015

Anyone can be conned. The con artist's real genius is finding what you already want to believe.

3.65

6k+

🧠 Cognitive Biases 🎭 Social Engineering 📊 Behavioral Economics 🎯 Victim Psychology 🃏 Con Artistry

The Confidence Game 94%

Anyone can be conned. The con artist's real genius is finding what you already want to believe.

by Maria Konnikova 2015

3.65

6k+ ratings

🧠 Cognitive Biases 🎭 Social Engineering 📊 Behavioral Economics 🎯 Victim Psychology 🃏 Con Artistry

The Psychology of Fraud, Persuasion and Scam Techniques

by Martina Dove • 2020

Scammers weaponize your own psychology. Learn their playbook and the one skill that defeats them.

3.31

🧠 Fraud Psychology 🗣️ Persuasion Psychology 🔍 Cognitive Biases ⚠️ Scam Awareness 📊 Behavioral Economics

The Psychology of Fraud, Persuasion and Scam Techniques Summary

The Psychology of Fraud, Persuasion and Scam Techniques 94%

Scammers weaponize your own psychology. Learn their playbook and the one skill that defeats them.

by Martina Dove 2020

3.31

16 ratings

🧠 Fraud Psychology 🗣️ Persuasion Psychology 🔍 Cognitive Biases ⚠️ Scam Awareness 📊 Behavioral Economics

Cybersecurity for Beginners

by Raef Meeuwisse • 2015

Firewalls fail when people click. The layered defenses and risk tradeoffs every organization needs.

3.67

147

🛡️ Information Security ⚠️ Risk Management 🎣 Social Engineering 🚨 Incident Response 🧠 Security Awareness

Cybersecurity for Beginners 94%

Firewalls fail when people click. The layered defenses and risk tradeoffs every organization needs.

by Raef Meeuwisse 2015

3.67

147 ratings

🛡️ Information Security ⚠️ Risk Management 🎣 Social Engineering 🚨 Incident Response 🧠 Security Awareness

The Cyber Effect

by Mary Aiken • 2016

A cyberpsychologist reveals the dark web's psychology: why anonymity brings out the worst in us.

3.74

2k+

🧠 Digital Psychology 💻 Cybercrime 🕶️ Dark Web 👾 Hacker Psychology 🎯 Social Engineering

The Cyber Effect 94%

A cyberpsychologist reveals the dark web's psychology: why anonymity brings out the worst in us.

by Mary Aiken 2016

3.74

2k+ ratings

🧠 Digital Psychology 💻 Cybercrime 🕶️ Dark Web 👾 Hacker Psychology 🎯 Social Engineering

Becoming an Ethical Hacker

by Gary Rivlin • 2019

Get paid to think like an attacker: skills, tools, and career strategy for ethical hacking.

4.00

🧭 Ethical Hacking 🎯 Penetration Testing 🎭 Social Engineering 🌐 Network Security 💼 Cybersecurity Careers

Becoming an Ethical Hacker 94%

Get paid to think like an attacker: skills, tools, and career strategy for ethical hacking.

by Gary Rivlin 2019

4.00

73 ratings

🧭 Ethical Hacking 🎯 Penetration Testing 🎭 Social Engineering 🌐 Network Security 💼 Cybersecurity Careers

A Hacker's Mind

by Bruce Schneier • 2023

Every system has loopholes. The powerful find them first, from tax codes to your attention.

3.68

1k+

🔒 Security Mindset 💰 Financial Loopholes 🏛️ Regulatory Capture 🧠 Cognitive Biases 📱 Attention Economy

A Hacker's Mind 93%

Every system has loopholes. The powerful find them first, from tax codes to your attention.

by Bruce Schneier 2023

3.68

1k+ ratings

🔒 Security Mindset 💰 Financial Loopholes 🏛️ Regulatory Capture 🧠 Cognitive Biases 📱 Attention Economy

Big Breaches

by Neil Daswani • 2021

The handful of missteps behind every mega-breach, and the fixes any organization can put in place.

4.27

💥 Data Breach Prevention 🛡️ Cybersecurity Management 🎭 Social Engineering 🔑 Encryption Practices 🦠 Malware Defense

Big Breaches 93%

The handful of missteps behind every mega-breach, and the fixes any organization can put in place.

by Neil Daswani 2021

4.27

41 ratings

💥 Data Breach Prevention 🛡️ Cybersecurity Management 🎭 Social Engineering 🔑 Encryption Practices 🦠 Malware Defense

The Truth Detector

by Jack Schafer • 2020

How to extract truthful information from anyone without them realizing they've been questioned.

4.22

368

🕵️ Truth Detection 🗣️ Rapport Building 🔍 Elicitation Techniques 🧠 Behavioral Profiling 👥 Interpersonal Dynamics

The Truth Detector 93%

How to extract truthful information from anyone without them realizing they've been questioned.

by Jack Schafer 2020

4.22

368 ratings

🕵️ Truth Detection 🗣️ Rapport Building 🔍 Elicitation Techniques 🧠 Behavioral Profiling 👥 Interpersonal Dynamics

Mind Control

by Haha Lung • 2006

Exploit the flaws in senses and memory to control minds, before yours is controlled.

3.60

187

🧠 Psychological Warfare ⚡ Power Dynamics 👁️ Perception Hacking 🔗 Coercive Persuasion 🎭 Deception Tactics

Mind Control 93%

Exploit the flaws in senses and memory to control minds, before yours is controlled.

by Haha Lung 2006

3.60

187 ratings

🧠 Psychological Warfare ⚡ Power Dynamics 👁️ Perception Hacking 🔗 Coercive Persuasion 🎭 Deception Tactics

Dark Psychology and Manipulation

by William Cooper • 2020

The mental shortcuts manipulators hijack, and the simple defense that shuts down every one of them.

3.77

617

🕶️ Dark Psychology 🎭 Emotional Manipulation 🧠 Cognitive Biases 🗣️ Persuasion Tactics ⛓️ Coercive Control

Dark Psychology and Manipulation Summary

Dark Psychology and Manipulation 93%

The mental shortcuts manipulators hijack, and the simple defense that shuts down every one of them.

by William Cooper 2020

3.77

617 ratings

🕶️ Dark Psychology 🎭 Emotional Manipulation 🧠 Cognitive Biases 🗣️ Persuasion Tactics ⛓️ Coercive Control

How To Analyze People

by Daniel Spade • 2019

Body language, weaponized guilt, and the rules for breaking a manipulator's hold.

2.82

446

🌑 Dark Psychology 🧍 Body Language 🎭 Psychological Manipulation 🚧 Personal Boundaries 🗣️ Influence And Persuasion

How To Analyze People 93%

Body language, weaponized guilt, and the rules for breaking a manipulator's hold.

by Daniel Spade 2019

2.82

446 ratings

🌑 Dark Psychology 🧍 Body Language 🎭 Psychological Manipulation 🚧 Personal Boundaries 🗣️ Influence And Persuasion

Foolproof

by Sander van der Linden • 2023

Correcting lies comes too late. A weakened dose of manipulation, taken beforehand, builds immunity.

3.97

969

🦠 Misinformation Studies 🧠 Cognitive Biases 📰 Media Literacy 📱 Social Media Effects 🕵️ Conspiracy Psychology

Foolproof 93%

Correcting lies comes too late. A weakened dose of manipulation, taken beforehand, builds immunity.

by Sander van der Linden 2023

3.97

969 ratings

🦠 Misinformation Studies 🧠 Cognitive Biases 📰 Media Literacy 📱 Social Media Effects 🕵️ Conspiracy Psychology

Brandwashed

by Martin Lindstrom • 2011

From before you were born, marketers have been shaping what you buy. The playbook, exposed.

3.81

4k+

🧠 Consumer Psychology 📊 Marketing Tactics 💡 Behavioral Economics 🎯 Persuasion Techniques 👥 Social Influence

Brandwashed 93%

From before you were born, marketers have been shaping what you buy. The playbook, exposed.

by Martin Lindstrom 2011

3.81

4k+ ratings

🧠 Consumer Psychology 📊 Marketing Tactics 💡 Behavioral Economics 🎯 Persuasion Techniques 👥 Social Influence

Manipulation

by Beatrice Shorts • 2019

Read body language like a profiler, counter gaslighting, and ethically master six influence levers.

2.50

🕶️ Dark Psychology 🎭 Emotional Manipulation 👁️ Body Language 🛡️ Manipulation Defense 🧠 Personality Disorders

Manipulation 93%

Read body language like a profiler, counter gaslighting, and ethically master six influence levers.

by Beatrice Shorts 2019

2.50

4 ratings

🕶️ Dark Psychology 🎭 Emotional Manipulation 👁️ Body Language 🛡️ Manipulation Defense 🧠 Personality Disorders

Manipulation

by David T Abbots • 2018

Body language, emotional leverage, and psychological triggers: the manipulation toolkit.

3.27

🧠 Persuasion Psychology 🕶️ Dark Psychology 🎭 Emotional Manipulation 🕺 Body Language 🔍 Reading People

Manipulation 93%

Body language, emotional leverage, and psychological triggers: the manipulation toolkit.

by David T Abbots 2018

3.27

15 ratings

🧠 Persuasion Psychology 🕶️ Dark Psychology 🎭 Emotional Manipulation 🕺 Body Language 🔍 Reading People

Mindmasters

by Sandra Matz • 2025

Algorithms read personality from digital traces. The fix isn't privacy; it's collective ownership.

3.96

399

💻 Digital Psychology ⚖️ Tech Ethics 🏭 Surveillance Capitalism 📊 Behavioral Data 🔒 Data Privacy

Mindmasters 93%

Algorithms read personality from digital traces. The fix isn't privacy; it's collective ownership.

by Sandra Matz 2025

3.96

399 ratings

💻 Digital Psychology ⚖️ Tech Ethics 🏭 Surveillance Capitalism 📊 Behavioral Data 🔒 Data Privacy

Stealing Your Life

by Frank W. Abagnale • 2007

A former forger on how thieves pick targets, and the habits that make them move on.

3.67

293

🪪 Identity Theft 🔒 Personal Data Security 🎭 Social Engineering 💻 Digital Security 🛡️ Fraud Prevention

Stealing Your Life 93%

A former forger on how thieves pick targets, and the habits that make them move on.

by Frank W. Abagnale 2007

3.67

293 ratings

🪪 Identity Theft 🔒 Personal Data Security 🎭 Social Engineering 💻 Digital Security 🛡️ Fraud Prevention

Everyday Cybersecurity

by Christopher Cox • 2019

The non-techie's playbook for shutting out hackers, scammers, and identity thieves.

5.00

🛡️ Personal Cybersecurity 🔐 Digital Privacy 🌐 Internet Safety 🆔 Identity Theft 🎭 Social Engineering

Everyday Cybersecurity 93%

The non-techie's playbook for shutting out hackers, scammers, and identity thieves.

by Christopher Cox 2019

5.00

1 ratings

🛡️ Personal Cybersecurity 🔐 Digital Privacy 🌐 Internet Safety 🆔 Identity Theft 🎭 Social Engineering

Managing Risk and Information Security

by Malcolm Harkins • 2012

Security's job isn't to block. It's to make the business safe enough to take risks.

3.51

109

🛡️ Information Security ⚖️ Risk Management 🏢 Security Culture 🧠 Cognitive Biases 👔 CISO Leadership

Managing Risk and Information Security Summary

Managing Risk and Information Security 93%

Security's job isn't to block. It's to make the business safe enough to take risks.

by Malcolm Harkins 2012

3.51

109 ratings

🛡️ Information Security ⚖️ Risk Management 🏢 Security Culture 🧠 Cognitive Biases 👔 CISO Leadership

Free Your Mind

by Laura Dodsworth • 2023

Your mind is under fire from ads, algorithms, propaganda, and cereal boxes. A self-defense guide.

3.79

335

🛡️ Persuasion Resistance 📰 Media Literacy 📢 Propaganda Studies ⏳ Attention Economy 📱 Social Media Influence

Free Your Mind 92%

Your mind is under fire from ads, algorithms, propaganda, and cereal boxes. A self-defense guide.

by Laura Dodsworth 2023

3.79

335 ratings

🛡️ Persuasion Resistance 📰 Media Literacy 📢 Propaganda Studies ⏳ Attention Economy 📱 Social Media Influence

Petit traité de manipulation à l'usage des honnêtes gens

by Robert-Vincent Joule • 1997

A decision, once made, freezes everything that follows. The French classic on hidden compliance.

3.78

739

🧠 Social Influence 🔗 Compliance Techniques 🪤 Decision Traps 🔄 Cognitive Dissonance 🕵️ Hidden Persuasion

Petit traité de manipulation à l'usage des honnêtes gens Summary

Petit traité de manipulation à l'usage des honnêtes gens 92%

A decision, once made, freezes everything that follows. The French classic on hidden compliance.

by Robert-Vincent Joule 1997

3.78

739 ratings

🧠 Social Influence 🔗 Compliance Techniques 🪤 Decision Traps 🔄 Cognitive Dissonance 🕵️ Hidden Persuasion

Age of Propaganda

by Anthony R. Pratkanis • 1991

Your mind's security holes: the persuasion playbook, and how to patch them.

4.02

894

📢 Propaganda Analysis 🧠 Persuasion Psychology 📺 Media Literacy ⚖️ Cognitive Biases 🎭 Emotional Manipulation

Age of Propaganda 92%

Your mind's security holes: the persuasion playbook, and how to patch them.

by Anthony R. Pratkanis 1991

4.02

894 ratings

📢 Propaganda Analysis 🧠 Persuasion Psychology 📺 Media Literacy ⚖️ Cognitive Biases 🎭 Emotional Manipulation

The Certainty Illusion

by Timothy Caulfield • 2025

Science, reviews, and expert advice are corrupted by hype, profit, and bias.

3.95

614

🧠 Information Literacy 🧩 Cognitive Biases 🏥 Health Misinformation 📢 Science Communication 🛒 Marketing Manipulation

The Certainty Illusion 92%

Science, reviews, and expert advice are corrupted by hype, profit, and bias.

by Timothy Caulfield 2025

3.95

614 ratings

🧠 Information Literacy 🧩 Cognitive Biases 🏥 Health Misinformation 📢 Science Communication 🛒 Marketing Manipulation

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