Högskolan i Skövde

Phishing attacks have emerged as a prominent cybersecurity threat, with one demographic particularly vulnerable being high school students, who are often active on social media yet lack adequate awareness. This study aims to deepen our understanding of phishing among high school students, pinpointing their susceptibilities, mitigation approaches, and knowledge sources. Employing qualitative research methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants, divided into two sample groups: those enrolled in technology programs and those in non-technology programs.

The findings revealed that while students may not be familiar with the term "phishing," they possess a basic grasp of how such attacks manifest online, including through emails, SMS, and social media. Moreover, students expressed the need for phishing awareness to be integrated into high school curricula.