Relationship between Phishing Techniques and User Personality Model of Bangkok Internet Users

Abstract

     This paper discusses the relationship between user personality types and several phishing techniques. Since personality type is known to have an impact on trust, in this analysis it is posited to also have an impact on effective phishing attempts. This paper tests the relationships between four phishing approaches (link manipulation, filter evasion, website forgery, and spear phishing) and four personality traits (dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness). A questionnaire including 15 items from the DISC personality scale and 20 items addressing phishing techniques was distributed to a sample size of 400 in the Bangkok area using convenience sampling. The study found that users had varying levels of understanding of phishing techniques, with link manipulation being the least understood and spear phishing being the most understood in every personality group. The study also found that each personality type was susceptible to techniques at a different level. This study supported the idea that user personality types influence vulnerability to different phishing techniques.