Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
ZENODOarrow_drop_down
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

Why Employees Click Phishing Links and Training Strategies

Authors: Ginne M James;

Why Employees Click Phishing Links and Training Strategies

Abstract

Phishing remains the most prevalent initial attack vector in cybersecurity breaches, with employee interaction serving as the critical enabler. This paper examines the psychological, organizational, and technical factors that lead employees to click on phishing links despite awareness efforts. Drawing on behavioral science research and empirical data from simulated phishing campaigns across multiple industries, the study identifies six primary psychological triggers exploited by attackers: urgency, curiosity, authority impersonation, reward anticipation, habitual inattention, and social proof. The paper then evaluates the effectiveness of various security awareness training methodologies, including traditional classroom instruction, simulated phishing exercises, gamified learning platforms, and just-in-time contextual training. Findings indicate that organizations employing monthly simulated phishing exercises combined with immediate feedback achieve click rate reductions exceeding 80% within twelve months. The paper concludes with a practical training framework that IT teams can adapt to their organizational context.

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Upload OA version
Are you the author of this publication? Upload your Open Access version to Zenodo!
It’s fast and easy, just two clicks!