Does security attitude really predict susceptibility to persuasion tactics in social engineering attempts?

What is it about?

This study explores if a person’s attitude toward security can predict their vulnerability to social engineering tactics. Researchers surveyed people in the UK and the Arab GCC, presenting them with scenarios where they were asked to download an app, with half involving persuasion tactics and half neutral. Results showed some links between security attitudes and vulnerability to persuasion, with higher security attitudes sometimes associated with slightly greater risk. This suggests that people confident in their security knowledge might underestimate certain risks. The study also highlights the need for better strategies to help people resist persuasive social engineering tactics.

Featured Image