This study looked into how individual differences and national culture impacted participants’ responses to phishing and spear-phishing emails. The study found a national culture that promoted the needs of the individual (rather than the needs of society) increased the likelihood of phishing and spear-phishing emails being accurately identified. The same study found impulsiveness decreased the chances of phishing emails being identified but the same was not true of spear-phishing emails. Finally, the study found individual differences had an effect on user’s ability to spot malicious emails.
Authors: Marcus Butavicius, Kathryn Parsons, Malcolm Pattinson, Agata McCormac, Dragana Calic, Meredith Lillie