What does dumpster diving refer to in cybersecurity?

Dumpster diving in cybersecurity refers to the practice of searching through physical trash to find sensitive or confidential information that can be misused. This includes documents, discarded electronic media, or other items that may contain personal data, login credentials, or proprietary information that can aid an attacker in gaining unauthorized access or committing fraud.

This method exploits the careless disposal of information, which often includes valuable data that individuals or organizations have discarded without appropriate security measures. Cybercriminals can use the information gathered through dumpster diving to launch further attacks, such as identity theft or social engineering schemes. By focusing on how information is discarded, those with malicious intent can bypass electronic security measures and directly obtain useful information from physical resources.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of cybersecurity threats. Phishing tactics involve tricking individuals into providing sensitive information through deceptive communication, while malware refers to malicious software designed to harm or exploit devices. Reverse social engineering is about manipulating an individual into revealing information, typically involving a technique where the attacker presents themselves as a helper. Each of these methods involves different means of gathering information and does not encompass the physical act associated with dumpster diving.