Mindless Response or Mindful Interpretation: Examining the Effect of Message Influence on Phishing Susceptibility

Frank Kun-Yueh Chou, Abbott Po-Shun Chen and Vincent Cheng-Lung Lo
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Frank Kun-Yueh Chou: Department of Accounting, College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei 242062, Taiwan
Abbott Po-Shun Chen: Department of Marketing and Logistics Management, College of Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung 413310, Taiwan
Vincent Cheng-Lung Lo: Department of Information Management, School of Management, National Central University, Taoyuan 320317, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-25

Abstract: Influence-based deceptive messages constantly play a critical role in email phishing attacks. However, the literature lacks adequate understanding about how phishing messages with attractive and coercive influence result in the receivers’ adverse consequences. We therefore take the perspective of mindless response and mindful interpretation to address this issue by examining comprehensive relationships among message influence, cognitive processing, and phishing susceptibility. To accomplish this, a survey approach was adopted after a simulated phishing attack was conducted in campuses. Our empirical evidence shows that both message influence and cognitive processing can lead to people being phished, and a combination of different influences can also trigger cognitive processing. This research makes contributions to the literature of information security, persuading influence, and cognitive psychology.

Keywords: phishing susceptibility; message influence; cognitive processing; smart power; mindlessness; mindfulness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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