The Vulnerability Level of University Students Using Digital Banking Services to Phishing Banking Attacks
Mutia Salsanu Fitrah, Sri Ramadhani, Ahmad Syakir · Journal of Social Commerce · 2025
The advancement of digital technology has significantly transformed the banking sector, including Islamic banking, with a growing reliance on digital banking services among university students. However, this progress has also been accompanied by cybersecurity threats, particularly phishing banking. This fraudulent practice utilizes manipulative techniques to extract personal information from victims, often through social media platforms such as WhatsApp. This study seeks to identify the factors that contribute to students’ susceptibility to phishing banking attacks. Employing a qualitative method with an exploratory descriptive approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with students who actively use digital banking services and have experienced phishing attempts. The findings reveal that students’ high dependency on digital banking, limited awareness of social engineering tactics, and impulsive actions without verification are key factors underlying their vulnerability. Despite existing phishing awareness programs, their effectiveness remains constrained due to the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by cybercriminals. Accordingly, stronger preventive measures are necessary, including the implementation of two-factor authentication (2FA), using secure internet connections, and cultivating the habit of verifying information before responding. This study concludes that enhancing cybersecurity awareness and promoting disciplined digital practices are essential in mitigating the risks of phishing among students. Moreover, collaboration among students, educational institutions, and banking providers is imperative to establish a more secure digital banking environment.