Beyond Technical Barriers: A Multidimensional Conceptual Framework for Understanding and Countering Cyber Scam Susceptibility

Cyber-attacks have become a serious global cybersecurity issue, affecting sectors such as petroleum, finance, health, and industry. The financial and banking sectors are particularly vulnerable, experiencing disproportionate harm due to the escalating complexity of digital threats. Recent academic efforts have focused on developing countermeasures, but these have primarily concentrated on technical solutions, which alone are insufficient. The persistent success of cyber-attacks highlights the need for a better understanding of human susceptibility to cyber scams. This research addresses the gap by investigating the psychological and social factors that lead individuals to fall for scam emails and links. It also explores how hackers exploit social engineering tactics to target victims and seeks to reverse these tactics to enhance protection. By understanding why people fall for cyber scams, the research aims to develop more effective cybersecurity measures, contributing significantly to the ongoing battle against cyber-attacks.