Personality Types and Ransomware Victimisation

Ransomware remains one of the most prevalent cyberthreats to individuals and businesses alike. Psychological techniques are often employed by attackers when infecting victims’ devices with ransomware, in an attempt increase likelihood victims paying ransom demand. At same time, cybersecurity researchers continually putting effort find new ways prevent ransomware infections victimisation from happening. Since employees contractors considered be frequent well-known attack vectors, it makes sense focus on them. Identifying factors predict vulnerable population cyberattacks can useful preventing or mitigating impact attacks. Additionally, understanding psychological traits help us devise better solutions recover more effectively, while at encouraging not pay demand cybercriminals. In this paper, we investigated relationship between personality types victimisation, order understand whether people certain would prone becoming a victim not. We also studied behavioural effects victim, see such experience used reinforce positive behaviours future. carried out survey involving 880 participants, recruited through Prolific online platform. First, these participants were asked answer set standard questions determine their type, using Big-Five trait indicators. They then several follow-up regarding as well feelings views post-victimisation. found that 9.55% (n=84) had been ransomware. Out these, 2.38% (n=2) have paid ransom. no compelling evidence suggest influence victimisation. other words, there discernible differences potential based people’s alone. Therefore, should blame for falling prey – particular, apportion type. These findings improve behaviours, example, invest products tools. our results showed aftermath could quite devastating hard deal many victims. Finally, research shows properly dealing is complex socio-technical challenge requires both technical support.