Abstract

The use of the Internet and networking technologies continues to rise. Alongside the benefits that are derived from the use of these technologies, numerous threats continue to emerge. This study examines several variables within the message characteristics, personality traits and Internet-related experience to determine an individual's susceptibility for phishing attacks. The results of an ethical phishing experiment show that message characteristics and Internet-related variables are better predictors of whether an individual will be more susceptible to phishing attacks.

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Which Phish Get Caught? An Exploratory Study of Individual Susceptibility to Phishing

The use of the Internet and networking technologies continues to rise. Alongside the benefits that are derived from the use of these technologies, numerous threats continue to emerge. This study examines several variables within the message characteristics, personality traits and Internet-related experience to determine an individual's susceptibility for phishing attacks. The results of an ethical phishing experiment show that message characteristics and Internet-related variables are better predictors of whether an individual will be more susceptible to phishing attacks.