Impact of Social Engineering on Social Media Users

This position paper examines the impact of social engineering attacks on social media users, focusing on how demographic factors, platform-specific risks, and user behavior influence susceptibility. The paper identifies key vulnerabilities in user behavior, such as oversharing personal information, which cybercriminals exploit to carry out manipulative attacks. It also explores the risks specific to various social media platforms and how these environments can be leveraged for malicious purposes. Furthermore, the paper proposes actionable recommendations for addressing these vulnerabilities, including awareness campaigns and design changes that can better protect users. The research contribution lies in offering a comprehensive understanding of how demographic factors and platform-specific risks intersect with user behavior, providing a foundation for more targeted interventions to reduce the impact of social engineering on social media users.