Journal of Knowledge-Research Studies

Behaviors Related to Security and Privacy of Social Network Users: A Study of Threats Based on Social Engineering

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

Abstract

Purpose: The vast volume of data and information circulating in social networks, combined with their popularity and extensive use, exposes these platforms to numerous security risks. Consequently, user security and privacy have become among the most critical issues in in today's digital landscape. Many factors influence users' security and privacy behaviors on social networks. This study investigates the role of individual factors in shaping behaviors related to the security and privacy of social network users.
Methodology: This descriptive-survey research employed a researcher-designed questionnaire administered to a sample of 375 students at the University of Birjand . The questionnaire's validity was confirmed by expert judgment, and its reliability was verified using Cronbach's alpha coefficient ( α = 0.876).
Findings: The average levels of behaviors associated with the social engineering factors of authority and loneliness were within the optimal range. However, the mean score for  the celebrity variable was significantly higher than the optimal level, while normalization and attention-grabbing  events acored significantly below the desired level. In addition, , the average levels of behaviors related to the social engineering methods of phishing, forgery, and identity theft was significantly higher than the optimal level, whereas bait links, fake website offers, and online romance scams were within the acceptable range. Demographic analysis revealed that female students scored higher than male students across all variables, and undergraduate students showed higher acores than those at graduate levels .
Conclusion: The behaviors related to social engineering factors (such as celebrity influence, authority, loneliness, attention-grabbing events, and normalization) were generally at a desirable level among students. However, behaviors associated with social engineering methods (including bait links, fraudulent websites, online romance scams, phishing, and identity theft) exceeded the optimal level.
Value: Overall, participants engaged more frequently in behaviors related to social engineering methods than in those related to factors. Although students expressed a strong concern for security and privacy issues, they also acknowledged limited awareness of certain aspects of these topics.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Knowledge-Research Studies
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 12
September 2025
Pages 132-145
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