Cybersecurity
Researching exploring the human element of online deception
The AVANT Lab is currently exploring why individuals are vulnerable to various online deceptions such as phishing attacks. Recent work from AVANT's lab director, Dr. Dawn Sarno, suggest that the same users are vulnerable to different types of online deceptions, such as phishing attacks, scam text messages, and fake news headines. Interestingly, users who are more cognitively reflective and more digitally literate are less likely to be susceptible to all of these attacks.
The AVANT Lab is also developing interventions aimed at improving email classifications. Preliminary findings indicate that persistent interventions, embedded into the users' email systems, may demonstrate the largest performance improvements. We are currently developing IMPAWSTER, a spy-themed game aimed at improving younger adult resiliency to phishing attacks.