Social engineering and manipulation techniques and methods – research report

Abstract

In the first part of our study [1], we reviewed the theoretical summary of the topic, focusing on the manipulation methods and techniques that can be related to the human soul, psychology, interpersonal communication, and also appear in the field of information security. The techniques and methods were presented along the human and IT-based divisions, and we also covered the criminal law aspects of the topic. In the second – present – part we present the results of our own research. Based on the responses to our online, large-sample questionnaire, we first provided a demographic description of the sample, then presented the responses by questions, and then analyzed the responses by group composition. In our research, we examined three hypotheses aimed at the use of passwords, the use of operating systems, and the recognition of the dangers inherent in phishing emails. After examining the relationship between the questions, we concluded our study with conclusions on the achievement of safety awareness, focusing on survey, regulation and knowledge transfer.