Investigating mobile instant messaging phishing: a study into user awareness and preventive measures

Rufai Ahmad; Sotirios Terzis; Karen Renaud

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-35822-7_26

Investigating mobile instant messaging phishing: a study into user awareness and preventive measures

Rufai Ahmad, Sotirios Terzis, Karen Renaud

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

1 Citation (Scopus)

49 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Users of mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications (apps) are increasingly targeted by phishing attacks. MIM apps often lack technical countermeasures for protecting users from phishing. Thus, users need to take preventive measures against phishing threats. Measures include awareness of the threat and the adoption of phishing preventive behaviours. This study adds to the literature by exploring these measures. Using an online survey, we collected data from 111 users of MIM apps and examined their awareness of the phishing attacks targeting them and the preventive measures they take. Previous studies showed that smartphone users exhibit poor security behaviour, which was mostly not the case in our sample, as we have found moderate awareness of phishing and the adoption of preventive measures by the participants. The results also showed several correlations between the participants' adoption of preventive measures and their phishing self-efficacy, knowledge, and concern about phishing. These findings may be useful in developing user awareness strategies for combating phishing in MIM apps.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust
Subtitle of host publication	5th International Conference on HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust
Editors	Abbas Moallem
Place of Publication	Cham, Switzerland
Publisher	Springer
Pages	381-398
Number of pages	18
ISBN (Electronic)	9783031358227
ISBN (Print)	9783031358210
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35822-7_26
Publication status	Published - 9 Jul 2023
Event	HCI International 2023 - Copenhagen, Denmark Duration: 23 Jul 2023 → 28 Jul 2023 http://2023.hci.international

Conference

Conference	HCI International 2023
Country/Territory	Denmark
City	Copenhagen
Period	23/07/23 → 28/07/23
Internet address	http://2023.hci.international

Funding

Acknowledgment. This work is part of a PhD research sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)-Nigeria. There were no conflicts of interest in this study.

Keywords

phishing awareness
phishing
Mobile Instant Messaging
cyber awareness

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-35822-7_26

Ahmad-etal-Springer-2023-Investigating-mobile-instant-messaging-phishingAccepted author manuscript, 809 KBLicence: Strath_1

Content analysis of persuasion principles in mobile instant message phishing
Ahmad, R., Terzis, S. & Renaud, K., 26 Jul 2023, Human Aspects of Information Security & Assurance: 17th International Symposium on Human Aspects of Information Security & Assurance. Furnell, S. & Clarke, N. (eds.). Cham, Switzerland: Springer, p. 324-336 13 p. (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology; vol. 674).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Understanding phishing in mobile instant messaging: a study into user behaviour toward shared links
Ahmad, R. & Terzis, S., 22 Jul 2022, Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance: 16th IFIP WG 11.12 International Symposium, HAISA 2022, Proceedings. Clarke, N. & Furnell, S. (eds.). Cham, Switzerland: Springer, p. 197-206 10 p. (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology (IFIPAICT); vol. 658, no. 1).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

Open Access
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6 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)

131 Downloads (Pure)

Cite this

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title = "Investigating mobile instant messaging phishing: a study into user awareness and preventive measures",

abstract = "Users of mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications (apps) are increasingly targeted by phishing attacks. MIM apps often lack technical countermeasures for protecting users from phishing. Thus, users need to take preventive measures against phishing threats. Measures include awareness of the threat and the adoption of phishing preventive behaviours. This study adds to the literature by exploring these measures. Using an online survey, we collected data from 111 users of MIM apps and examined their awareness of the phishing attacks targeting them and the preventive measures they take. Previous studies showed that smartphone users exhibit poor security behaviour, which was mostly not the case in our sample, as we have found moderate awareness of phishing and the adoption of preventive measures by the participants. The results also showed several correlations between the participants' adoption of preventive measures and their phishing self-efficacy, knowledge, and concern about phishing. These findings may be useful in developing user awareness strategies for combating phishing in MIM apps.",

keywords = "phishing awareness, phishing, Mobile Instant Messaging, cyber awareness",

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Ahmad, R , Terzis, S & Renaud, K 2023, Investigating mobile instant messaging phishing: a study into user awareness and preventive measures. in A Moallem (ed.), HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust: 5th International Conference on HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust. Springer, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 381-398, HCI International 2023, Copenhagen, Denmark, 23/07/23. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35822-7_26

Investigating mobile instant messaging phishing: a study into user awareness and preventive measures. / Ahmad, Rufai ; Terzis, Sotirios ; Renaud, Karen.
HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust: 5th International Conference on HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust. ed. / Abbas Moallem. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2023. p. 381-398.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

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AB - Users of mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications (apps) are increasingly targeted by phishing attacks. MIM apps often lack technical countermeasures for protecting users from phishing. Thus, users need to take preventive measures against phishing threats. Measures include awareness of the threat and the adoption of phishing preventive behaviours. This study adds to the literature by exploring these measures. Using an online survey, we collected data from 111 users of MIM apps and examined their awareness of the phishing attacks targeting them and the preventive measures they take. Previous studies showed that smartphone users exhibit poor security behaviour, which was mostly not the case in our sample, as we have found moderate awareness of phishing and the adoption of preventive measures by the participants. The results also showed several correlations between the participants' adoption of preventive measures and their phishing self-efficacy, knowledge, and concern about phishing. These findings may be useful in developing user awareness strategies for combating phishing in MIM apps.

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Investigating mobile instant messaging phishing: a study into user awareness and preventive measures

Abstract

Conference

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

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Research output

Content analysis of persuasion principles in mobile instant message phishing

Understanding phishing in mobile instant messaging: a study into user behaviour toward shared links

Cite this