Implementation of Random Forest Classification and Support Vector Machine Algorithms for Phishing Link Detection

This research compares two machine learning methods, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest Classification (RFC), in detecting phishing links. Phishing is an attempt to obtain sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications. Detecting phishing links is crucial in protecting users from this cyber threat. In this study, we used a dataset consisting of features extracted from URLs, such as URL length, the use of special characters, and domain information. The dataset was then split into training and testing data with an 80:20 ratio. We trained the SVM and RFC models using the training data and evaluated their performance based on the testing data. The results show that both methods have their respective advantages. SVM, known for handling high-dimensional data well and providing optimal solutions for classification problems, demonstrated a high accuracy rate in detecting phishing links. However, SVM requires a longer training time compared to RFC. On the other hand, RFC, an ensemble method known for its resilience to overfitting, showed performance nearly comparable to SVM in terms of accuracy but with faster training time and better interpretability. This comparison indicates that RFC is more suitable for scenarios requiring quick results and easy interpretation, while SVM is more appropriate for situations where accuracy is critical, and computational resources are sufficient. In conclusion, the choice of phishing link detection method should be tailored to specific needs and available resource constraints. This research provides valuable insights for developing more effective, efficient, and relevant phishing detection systems.