SET

What it is

The Social-Engineer Toolkit (SET) is a Python-driven tool that automates many of the steps in social-engineering attacks. It provides an easy-to-use interface to generate phishing emails, create malicious websites, and more.

SET is unique in its ability to automate social engineering attacks, making it an invaluable resource for ethical hackers and penetration testers looking to simulate real-world scenarios.

When it fits — and when it doesn’t

Known weaknesses

Each one links to the public issue, changelog or docs page it came from, where we have one.

1. 01

   Steep learning curve for non-Python developers

   The tool heavily relies on Python-specific patterns and idioms, which can be challenging for developers unfamiliar with the language.

2. 02

   Limited documentation and support

   SET's documentation is sparse and lacks comprehensive examples or troubleshooting guides, making it difficult to resolve issues without community assistance.

3. 03

   Potential legal and ethical concerns

   As a tool designed for social engineering attacks, SET must be used carefully within the bounds of law and ethics; misuse can lead to severe consequences.

4. 04

   Dependency on third-party services may limit functionality

   SET's phishing capabilities often depend on external email providers or hosting services, which may have restrictions that limit the tool's effectiveness.

What it does well

• Automates social engineering attacks

• Generates phishing emails and malicious websites

• Provides a user-friendly interface for attack vectors

Pricing

Free tier

YesOpen source — free to use

Paid from

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise plan

No

Pricing not independently confirmed — check the vendor’s page.