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Social distance, trust and getting “hooked”: A phishing expedition

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  • Martin, Sean R.
  • Lee, Julia J.
  • Parmar, Bidhan Lalit

Abstract

Phishing is a message-based computer attack sent to deceive and exploit recipients via email. Phishing is a problem for organizations because getting “hooked,” or tricked into acting on behalf of the sender, can put sensitive personal and organizational data at risk. In this research, we draw from several theoretical perspectives concerning social distance and trust as an exploitable resource to provide evidence that, even in contexts where actual social distance and intentions are nearly impossible to determine, people look to category-based signals of social distance to establish trust, which increases the likelihood of deception. We present the results of a validation study and a randomized field experiment in which we sent phishing emails to all employees of an insurance company.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin, Sean R. & Lee, Julia J. & Parmar, Bidhan Lalit, 2021. "Social distance, trust and getting “hooked”: A phishing expedition," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 39-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:166:y:2021:i:c:p:39-48
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2019.08.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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