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UER Forum > UE Main > The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme (Viewed 8616 times)
Poll Question:
Have you used social engineering to gain access, entry or navigate a site?
Total Votes:83
1. Yes.1619.28 %
2. No.2631.33 %
3. Mild forms of it.2833.73 %
4. Moderate levels of deception.1113.25 %
5. Imposter extraordinaire.22.41 %

blackhawk 

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The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< on 8/28/2017 5:17 PM >
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Have you ever impersonated someone to gain entry?
Social engineering of the highest and most deceptive level?
Obviously it has a place in UE, and while I have done so myself, it been playing off others belief that I was a professional shooter.
Who am I to tell them otherwise? Everyone wants their picture on the news in a good light...
I generally refrain from outright deceit as it tends to come back to haunt you.

Some do it out of boredom and dissatisfaction with their lives.
For the rush of being someone else who's important.
Stanley Clifford Weyman was one such man.
He spent time in jail more than once for it, although his motives were usually not profit.
His life and adventures can teach us about social engineering extreme.
In the end he died a real life hero, his final role in a lifetime of adventure.
What a curious individual he was.

Just the facts:
https://en.m.wikip...ey_Clifford_Weyman

A more detail look:
http://www.atlasob...n-weyman-clifford?

A very detailed look, well worth the read:
http://www.newyork...-man-from-brooklyn

Rest in Peace, Mr Weyman




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Steed 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 1 on 8/29/2017 3:56 AM >
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I gave a fake name and phone number to a security guard once. Otherwise, isn't all social engineering pretending to be someone you aren't? You don't have to make fake IDs and come up with a fake biography.




RoseByAnotherName 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 2 on 8/29/2017 4:09 AM >
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I could see the argument for any social interactions with the root cause for exploring.

Befriending a guard, pretending to be a professional photographer- heck, even walking in/around a place could be argued. Walking with confidence, head high, no shame or fear showing, is giving the impression to others that one belongs- it may not be extreme, but it's specific and deliberate behavior (actions) to communicate to others (social) that one belongs somewhere.




EsseXploreR 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 3 on 8/29/2017 1:07 PM >
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I was given an opportunity once, and jumped on it.

We were inside a building with power on a partially active hospital campus. As I'm talking to a friend I stop and say ".... anybody else smell grape Dutch?". As soon as I finished my thought a short Spanish gentleman came around the corner, with a lit cigar in one hand and an ADA compliant shower grip rail in the other. After awkward hellos were exchanged he goes "oh hey, you're with the film crew? You spoke to the supervisor?". Now at the time I hadn't had a single clue what he was talking about. But of course I replied "Oh yes of course, we just needed a few more shots before we packed up". He gave a trusting nod and walked back up the corridor to the active buildings.

Turns out a film crew was there the day before filming a TV show. The man we met was the maintenence guy for the hospital. It's a very poor hospital and as such they occasionally resort to reusing some of the abandoned building's contents in the active structure. I would have never thought of that as an excuse but I had to take him up on it since it was offered. It's always nice when things work out.



[last edit 8/29/2017 1:07 PM by EsseXploreR - edited 1 times]

https://www.flickr...62837453@N07/sets/

http://www.tfpnj.blogspot.com
stealthwraith 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 4 on 8/29/2017 7:26 PM >
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I've said I was there for the assessment. They said ok. I gave no other info and they asked no other questions.

Edit: additional story - a friend and I were wandering around outside a building on a partially active base. Security drove up and was a little rude so I resorted to exclaiming, "there's a hurt bird! We're trying to help it! Can you help us?" He drove away. There really was a hurt bird.



[last edit 8/29/2017 7:29 PM by stealthwraith - edited 1 times]

Stealth: adj. designed in accordance with technology that makes detection difficult. Wraith: n. A wisp or faint trace of something
Gamewolf66 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 5 on 8/29/2017 10:17 PM >
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Honestly, I'm too scared of the consequences if I get caught so I don't do it.




blackhawk 

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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 6 on 9/2/2017 3:36 PM >
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Posted by Steed
I gave a fake name and phone number to a security guard once. Otherwise, isn't all social engineering pretending to be someone you aren't? You don't have to make fake IDs and come up with a fake biography.


The best impersonators (actors do this as well) don't pretend; they role play.
They become the person.
At that point they are no longer pretending and are a second person with all their thoughts devoted to that entity. Total immersion.
You can even deceive polygraph tests like this.

Weyman illustrates how it can be done if you're persistent. He wasn't a genius, he was persistent. A confidence man, always looking for an inside angle, a weak spot.

I would purposely stand out in a gear covered camo way when street shooting. A procam with a the large 70-200 is easy to spot. Most times I wouldn't even say a word before I shot a subject, just a nod, smile and gesture with the cam.
It takes something that isn't quit tangible enough to describe to do it and have it work.
You need to feel the person out quickly and hit them the right way. Doesn't always work and when you're off it doesn't work at all. When I lose my self awareness and immerse myself completely in finding and shooting subjects is when it works like a charm for me... I'm role playing.

Any kind of social engineering is interactive; it's the game that moves as you play it. You need to develop your own style. How the other person perceives you and what they are thinking is important, be it a simple street shot or something much more elaborate.
I like it because it's fluid, very challenging and fun. You never know where you'll end up and have gotten one of a kind shots like this.






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Baldran 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 7 on 9/2/2017 7:44 PM >
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I've gotten pretty good at pretending to be the architecture student/nerd who has spent the last fifteen minutes photographing the exterior of a building, rather than the urban explorer who has spent the last four hours probing its every nook and cranny. It doesn't take a Weyman-esque elaborately contrived identity to pull off the average encounter with authority.




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Fleeting 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 8 on 9/2/2017 10:43 PM >
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I tried to infiltrate a semi-closed hospital by saying I was a patient. Then when I went to the bathroom they got suspicious and busted me. (I was trying to think of a game plan, but for all they knew I could have been taking a big shit!)




One day I got a good camera.
https://www.flickr...hotos/fleetsurbex/
blackhawk 

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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 9 on 9/2/2017 10:49 PM >
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Posted by Fleeting
I tried to infiltrate a semi-closed hospital by saying I was a patient. Then when I went to the bathroom they got suspicious and busted me. (I was trying to think of a game plan, but for all they knew I could have been taking a big shit!)


Wrist band? All in patients have them in all hospitals I know of.




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Dee Ashley 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 10 on 10/3/2017 3:11 PM >
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Posted by Fleeting
I tried to infiltrate a semi-closed hospital by saying I was a patient. Then when I went to the bathroom they got suspicious and busted me. (I was trying to think of a game plan, but for all they knew I could have been taking a big shit!)


Knowing my luck with this kind of thing, I'd unknowingly end up committing myself to the local psych ward if I tried this method.

Lol




I wandered till the stars went dim.
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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 11 on 10/5/2017 4:41 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk


Wrist band? All in patients have them in all hospitals I know of.


They only do out-patient things there now, but the only legal entrance inside is heavily watched by security. It's a shame, since there is so much of that hospital they don't use, and it would be great just to sneak by and wander the empty halls. Maybe one day some janitor will forget to lock a door...




One day I got a good camera.
https://www.flickr...hotos/fleetsurbex/
rob.i.am 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 12 on 10/5/2017 11:18 AM >
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob666/
blackhawk 

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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 13 on 10/5/2017 5:35 PM >
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Posted by Fleeting


They only do out-patient things there now, but the only legal entrance inside is heavily watched by security. It's a shame, since there is so much of that hospital they don't use, and it would be great just to sneak by and wander the empty halls. Maybe one day some janitor will forget to lock a door...


Be useful to know the number of security people, cams?
There may be less secured ways in.
Maybe where they take deliveries.
Apply for a job there if it gets you close to where you want to go and scope it out for weak points.
Maybe unlock a door or widow for latter.

Is it historic? Try to get permission to shoot it.
This is the best way if it's possible. However finding the right person; sometimes someone below the owner is better.

It can be done with demo(full site control) and sometimes construction contractors* when doing massive remodeling or demo projects.
Many times they too have a fascination with old buildings. Some will understand your desire to shoot it one last time.



*If they have full legal control of the site, some do. Their authority overrides the owners.
When they where remodeling the Chester Power Station I got complete access to anywhere there except the coal towers (too dangerous) from the site project manager.
Just by asking.
It was the first time I tried doing that; he grinned and said yes.
I ran amok there for two days.
Unfortunately it was before my pro gear and my shooting skills were well less than desirable then




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Radio2600 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 14 on 10/18/2017 2:18 AM >
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White hard hat? - CHECK
White dress shirt? - CHECK
Dilbert tie? - CHECK
Clipboard? - CHECK

Let's go!




In order to use your head, you have to go out of your mind.
Steed 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 15 on 10/18/2017 3:35 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk


The best impersonators (actors do this as well) don't pretend; they role play.
They become the person.
At that point they are no longer pretending and are a second person with all their thoughts devoted to that entity. Total immersion.
You can even deceive polygraph tests like this.


Yeah, for this reason, maybe a useful way to train for social engineering would be improv.




xNat 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 16 on 11/13/2017 8:40 AM >
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Posted by Radio2600
White hard hat? - CHECK
White dress shirt? - CHECK
Dilbert tie? - CHECK
Clipboard? - CHECK

Let's go!


Ah yes, the great Clipboard of Power--no one ever questions someone holding a clipboard!




"That sounds like a horrible idea! Let's do it!"
blackhawk 

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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 17 on 11/13/2017 4:52 PM >
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Posted by xNat


Ah yes, the great Clipboard of Power--no one ever questions someone holding a clipboard!


Site supers are responsible for that site especially at demos.
They own it.
That means everything and one...
expect to be called out if spotted especially with a clipboard
Inspectors really interest them...





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LT. Waffles 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 18 on 12/7/2017 5:00 PM >
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For many urban explorers impersonating someone you arent can be vital to entering a place, such as wearing a hard hat with a highlighted vest on can make you look like you are supposed to be in the place. basically hiding in plain sight. I found this thread pretty interesting because i dont hear too much about subjects such as this. thanks for bringing this up blackhawk! EDIT: i posted twice on the same thread, sorry about that, i tried posting it and it glitched out saying something that i have to wait 60 seconds between each posts, so i went back over it and changed a few things and posted it again apparently. sorry again about that



[last edit 12/7/2017 5:07 PM by LT. Waffles - edited 1 times]

Stay Frosty
NeuroticMatt 


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Re: The Imposter; Social Engineering Extreme
< Reply # 19 on 12/7/2017 9:49 PM >
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Weed eater.

I am considering using a weed eater at a couple of high traffic areas.

People might look twice at a guy with a camera or a clipboard walking around an old abandoned house. They wont think twice about a guy with a weed eater and an ice chest, obviously to carry camera equipment.

Exploring in the country is a different animal.


I have also considered putting together a homeless guy outfit. People usually look the other way from the dirty homeless guy. Plus I might get some money or free lunch!




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