InstaTrust or InstaTrap: How relationships and developmental tasks affect young adults’ phishing susceptibility on Instagram

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, vol. 197, pp. 103456

Abstract

Social media phishing attacks are on the rise, with phishers exploiting the social nature of social media and often targeting young adults, the primary user group of most social media platforms. This study examines young adults’ susceptibility to social media phishing by integrating a novel developmental perspective. In doing so, it explores the unexamined user-specific susceptibility to phishers who offer developmental opportunities to fulfill age-related developmental tasks. In our experimental online vignette study, 500 young adults between the ages of 16 and 29 years were presented with Instagram chat messages sent by non-followers or followers offering a social, job or partner opportunity to fulfill three selected developmental tasks: (1) belonging to a peer group, (2) entering professional life and (3) being in a committed relationship. For instance, participants received phishing scenarios from supposed followers that introduced them to an upcoming event, an ideal job or partner. Our results indicate that both the relationship with the phisher and, in particular, a social opportunity are predictors of susceptibility. Messages from followers (compared to non-followers) inviting them to an upcoming event and thus offering a social opportunity to fulfill the developmental task of belonging to a peer group (compared to other developmental opportunities) led to the highest susceptibility. Based on our findings, we derive implications for future research and for phishing awareness campaigns for young adults.

Authors 6

1. Jennifer Klütsch corresponding Aachen Work and Engineering Psychology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Work and Engineering Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Jägerstraße 17-19, 52066 Aachen, Germany

2. Luise Haehn Aachen Work and Engineering Psychology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Work and Engineering Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Jägerstraße 17-19, 52066 Aachen, Germany

3. Annika Kreuder Aachen Work and Engineering Psychology

   HSD Hochschule Döpfer · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Research Center, HSD Hochschule Döpfer, Waidmarkt 3 und 9, 50676 Köln, Germany

   Work and Engineering Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Jägerstraße 17-19, 52066 Aachen, Germany

4. Christian Böffel Aachen Work and Engineering Psychology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Work and Engineering Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Jägerstraße 17-19, 52066 Aachen, Germany

5. Ulrich Frick

   HSD Hochschule Döpfer

   Affiliation as printed

   Research Center, HSD Hochschule Döpfer, Waidmarkt 3 und 9, 50676 Köln, Germany

6. Sabine J. Schlittmeier Aachen Work and Engineering Psychology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Work and Engineering Psychology, RWTH Aachen University, Jägerstraße 17-19, 52066 Aachen, Germany