Status Update on Phishing Emails Awareness: Jordanian Case
Malik Qasaimeh, Hana Al-Manaseer, Haya Al-Manaseer, Firas Alghanim · 2021
Abstract—This study is a response to the rapid proliferation of high-risk phishing emails, representing one of the most dangerous cybercrimes and the primary medium for the deception of online users. This study aims to investigate the various characteristics of phishing email messages, and to measure Jordanian internet users’ awareness and knowledge about these threats. To achieve these objectives, a quantitative approach was used based on an online survey that included a total of 1531 participants. The results showed that only a few participants had the ability to distinguish illegitimate from legitimate emails, as the majority of participants could not recognize illegitimate emails by answering with “legitimate email” or “I don't know”. Similarly, only a few participants could distinguish phishing emails, with the majority being unable to recognize phishing emails by answering with “real email” or “I don't know”. Therefore, more work to increase public awareness of phishing emails is recommended at the individual and institutional levels, so as to protect users from any possible phishing email threats. This study focuses on the aspects that are related to email phishing that include techniques used to generate such phishing emails on the basis of which we will identity preventive measures to protect Jordanian users and increase their awareness of phishing emails.