Exploring Potential Correlation between Neuroticism and Anti-Phishing Behavior
Primary Investigator:
Melissa Dark
Joseph Beckman
Abstract
Phishing attacks continue to gain popularity as a mechanism for gaining unauthorized access to systems. Despite continued technical efforts to prevent phishing e-mail messages from reaching users' inboxes, many phishing attempts continue to reach their target users. As a last line of defense, organizations try to train users to recognize phishing e-mails and handle them properly; however, research into the efficacy of existing training methods is mixed. Several studies have shown that the Five Factor personality traits of Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Openness in users are correlated with increased susceptibility to phishing attacks. This study examines user personality traits as they correlate with resistance to phishing attacks to determine whether or not the Neuroticism personality trait is correlated with anti-phishing behavior.