Clicking on Danger: Ranking Cyber Threat Factors and the Protective Role of Awareness
Abstract
SMS Phishing (SMShing) attack is the act of sending messages containing malicious links that cause malware or breach data. Cyber criminals conduct these attacks by leveraging psychological factors, including Urgency, Fear, Curiosity, and Trust. These attacks have become prevalent in Pakistan, and research into responsible factors can help strengthen security infrastructure. In this study, we order the four psychological factors in order of their potency, analyze the effect of SMiShing literacy, and draw safety measures for security. We surveyed 200 college students and concluded that Fear and Urgency are potential factors behind engaging in malicious messages.
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My research involves a survey of 200 individuals, and the relevant data has been shared in the article.
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