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Draug
location:
Managua, Nicaragua
 |  | Social Engineering
< on 1/28/2007 1:18 AM >
|  | | | So, I got into an active, fully in use theater today. I saw the hall during light checks, undecorated backstage, the catwalks above the stage, massive 20-year old air conditioning systems, cargo elevators, workshops, and a massive chamber designed for water-draining in case the local lake goes up, among other things. Lots of the area was in blackout, because of power saving projects, and we navigated blindly or through use of cell-phone lights. I also saw the rooftops. All in all, it was pretty neat.
However, where does the line between urban exploring and guided tours really go? I got in thanks to a professor in architecture who managed to make a friend of him let us in, but we still saw parts of the structure not intended for the public.
What's your takes on social engineering in order to gain access to buildings? Is it just for sissies? I often find it's an easier (and safer!) way than trying to sneak in somewhere, especially in a country where all security guards carry pistols or shotguns, and the police AK-47s.
Do you ever bother trying to gain permission before entering a place?
EDIT: I'm aware this is probably not real urban exploration, but hey, it was fun anyway, and I'm still interested to hear your takes on social engineering.
[last edit 1/28/2007 1:34 AM by Draug - edited 1 times]
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G to the Race
   
Hi!
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 1 on 1/28/2007 1:30 AM >
| | | | IMO, if you go where you aren't supposed to, you are exploring. Are office workers, bakers, housewives supposed to go to the boiler room of a school? No. If they got permission to go there, so what, they are going where they shouldn't. I think the whole "If you get permission it's not UE" is bunk. You are appreciating an urban space that otherwise would go unexamined, good work.
You betcha |
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DevilC
location:
Washington, District of Corruption
Gender: Male
I serve as a blank screen on which people of vastly different political stripes project their views.
| |  | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 2 on 1/28/2007 1:38 AM >
| | | | Posted by G to the Race
I think the whole "If you get permission it's not UE" is bunk. You are appreciating an urban space that otherwise would go unexamined, good work.
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That is a very mature approach to this hobby and one that will allow you to do this through your old age. 
Science flies you to the Moon. Religion flies you into tall buildings. |
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G to the Race
Hi!
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 3 on 1/28/2007 1:42 AM >
| | | | I'm pretty mature and approaching old age.
You betcha |
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person
location:
cincinnati
Gender: Male
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 4 on 1/28/2007 2:41 AM >
| | | | Posted by G to the Race
IMO, if you go where you aren't supposed to, you are exploring. Are office workers, bakers, housewives supposed to go to the boiler room of a school? No. If they got permission to go there, so what, they are going where they shouldn't. I think the whole "If you get permission it's not UE" is bunk. You are appreciating an urban space that otherwise would go unexamined, good work.
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I am in 100% agreement with you.
Doing illegal things can be fun, but doing non-illegal things is plenty of fun too.
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mellon collie
location:
Up
Gender: Female
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 5 on 1/28/2007 3:36 AM >
| | | | Get permission, then show up donning full ninja regalia. Tell the owners it's to protect your identity, then turn on the fog machine (which you will have had the foresight to sneak in the night before to install and camouflage as a wheelchair). Finally, dance past them in your cute little slippers. The building is now yours to enjoy.
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EXElent
 
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 6 on 1/28/2007 1:06 PM >
|  | | | "Social engineering" your friend to let you see an active place... hmm....
UE from what I've red isn't only about seeing the place but also about documenting that place for future explorers a point wich brings me to this remark: do the future explorers have any chance of getting into that place without having friends who will open the back door for them? If not I don't consider it a valid exploration site => not urban exploration.
On avance toujours... |
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Sentinel
location:
Lawrence, KS
Gender: Male
| |  | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 7 on 1/28/2007 2:57 PM >
| | | | It is still Urban Exploration if you are exploring urban areas. Theres nothing wrong getting permission first in my opinion
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Draug
location:
Managua, Nicaragua
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 8 on 1/28/2007 3:58 PM >
| | | | Hang on, I have to document it? Then I'll probably never be able to do urban exploration, because I'm no Master of the Camera.
As for getting in, I'm sure you could. Security is non-existent on the inside, and most activity is centered around the stage anyway. Get past that, and you're free to run around.
And just for the record, no-one in this picture was my friend.
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Atrix
location:
Toronto
Gender: Male
Veni. Vidi. Video.
| | | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 9 on 1/28/2007 4:05 PM >
| | | | Social engineering requires far more intelligence to accomplish then simply sneaking in. Sneaking gets more of an adrenaline rush, but since I like filming, I also enjoy the freedom of having my way with a place without having to look over my shoulder.
C'est en faisant n'importe quoi qu'on devient n'importe qui.
It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission. |
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Debi
 
location:
Worcester County, MA
Gender: Female
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 10 on 1/29/2007 7:35 PM >
| | | |
Find the thread I started called "permission to explore".
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TrixieSparrow
location:
Hamilton, ON
Gender: Female
I guess.
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 11 on 1/29/2007 7:36 PM >
| | | | Posted by G to the Race
IMO, if you go where you aren't supposed to, you are exploring. Are office workers, bakers, housewives supposed to go to the boiler room of a school? No. If they got permission to go there, so what, they are going where they shouldn't. I think the whole "If you get permission it's not UE" is bunk. You are appreciating an urban space that otherwise would go unexamined, good work.
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I agree.
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Eagle_Crow
location:
Anywhere I wanna be
Gender: Female
| | | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 12 on 1/29/2007 10:12 PM >
| | | | I've asked permission before, in a case where I woulda had to break windows and damage the structure otherwise. I don't think that's a bad thing to do at all.
Eagle Crow
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Crossfire
 
location:
Kay-Dub
Gender: Male
Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years.
| |  | | | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 13 on 1/30/2007 2:50 PM >
| | | | I've heard it coined "inf with a key", and it's as much exploring as sneaking in after hours in the dark. Anybody who thinks that getting permission to explore non-public areas is not true exploring is a moron. It's about going where you're not supposed to, not going where you're not supposed to in the dark without permission. Some of the best explorations I've had were with permission.
At one point I had the master key and master alarm code for a recently closed school - and the key and code were good for every building in the school district. Now that's trust.
Social engineering is an art form - and unlike exploring not anyone can do it. It can be your friend, and has gotten me out of sticky situations before (such as when I got caught trespassing). I ended up getting a personal tour of the building I was checking out - and that's still exploring.
Disgruntled. |
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Debi
location:
Worcester County, MA
Gender: Female
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 14 on 1/30/2007 3:14 PM >
| | | |
I agree. Social engineering has not only gotten me out of a jam, but has also granted me access where I normally wouldn't be able to go. This past weekend I got myself into a potentially serious jam, getting caught at a state hospital that is on prison grounds. Not only did I "engineer" myself out of it, I had the officer telling me what the other buildings on the grounds were, and the history behind them. I find that it's hard for people to disrespect you, if your treating THEM with respect.
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Draug
location:
Managua, Nicaragua
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 15 on 1/30/2007 9:40 PM >
| | | | So, I found my next target.
An unused cathedral. It was apparently abandoned after a devastating earthquake in the 70s rendered it unstable. It's right between the presidential offices and the national palace, so no freaking way am I going to try to sneak in at night.
Time for some social engineering. 
EDIT: Another great thing about getting permissions and stuff down here is that I can bring a camera and stuff without having to worry about being robbed/stabbed.
[last edit 1/30/2007 9:40 PM by Draug - edited 1 times]
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eoghan
location:
dormont pa
Gender: Male
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 16 on 1/30/2007 9:58 PM >
| | | | i think it's an excellent way to go. i use it as often as i can. i'm an insurance investigator and it often helps quite a bit. particularly with cops and security when they don't think they're the subject. once i got to poke around a shools interesting spaces while investigating an accidental death for the district's carrier. the head custodian eventually busted me when he noticed me in a boiler room area, but he was cool with it when i explained that i was just interested in the building and got curious. i do think he thought i was a bit weird, though.
eoghan
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats... -H.L. Mencken
dude, if you ever shoot me with a .25, and i find out about it, i'll kick yer ass! |
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DrDeke
location:
Michigan
Gender: Male
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 17 on 2/20/2007 11:09 PM >
| | | | My advice is to never worry about whether something is "real" urban exploration, nor in fact whether it is "urban exploration" at all.
Did you have fun going in this theater? It sounds like you did. Did you get to see something that "most" "normal" people either wouldn't be able to or wouldn't care to see? It sounds like you did.
Beyond that, what else is necessary?
DrDeke
If you don't want it known, don't say it on a phone. |
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Yehoshua
location:
Ontario
Gender: Male
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 18 on 2/21/2007 12:35 AM >
| | | | Like most of the people in this thread, I agree - it comes down to whether you're going to these places to see them, or just for the "thrill" of breaking the law. Yes, there's a different surge in your heart while "breaking the law", but it's not necessarily a good voice to follow, and getting permission to see a place is still just as valid UE.
That said, face it - a lot of people went to Lower Bay for the thrill of a "tunnel run" through an active subway tunnel. If the TTC simply offered the public to "sign up for a tour of Lower Bay 48 hours in advance", most of them likely wouldn't have gone...and I don't know that I would either.
Our Citizen.
Our Justice.
Bring Omar Khadr back to Canada. |
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TrixieSparrow
location:
Hamilton, ON
Gender: Female
I guess.
| | Re: Social Engineering
<Reply # 19 on 2/22/2007 2:08 AM >
| | | | Posted by DrDeke
My advice is to never worry about whether something is "real" urban exploration, nor in fact whether it is "urban exploration" at all.
Did you have fun going in this theater? It sounds like you did. Did you get to see something that "most" "normal" people either wouldn't be able to or wouldn't care to see? It sounds like you did.
Beyond that, what else is necessary?
DrDeke
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well put, best definition I have heard so far.
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