Perception of the Increased Risk of Phishing Attacks During the Covid-19 Crisis

Abstract

Measures in connection with the COVID-19 crisis have forced a change in the processes taking place in individual organizations - whether in education, state administration or the commercial sphere. CEOs and full-time employees have been forced to ensure that the organization's goals are met in an ever-changing legislative environment, outside the standard work environment, with increased time pressure, in times of financial security concerns, and in times of heightened health or even life concerns. These factors have weakened concerns about one's own security - including the protection of one's own identity or the protection of the employer's assets in cyberspace. The presented research was attended by students, some of them, especially external students, are employees of the public or commercial sphere. The aim of the research was to find out whether students noticed an increased incidence of phishing attacks during the COVID-19 crisis, how they responded to this fact as individuals and how the organizations in which they are employed reacted. Based on the results of this survey, it can be estimated whether users with the development of Internet services are aware that they are an integral part of the cybersecurity system and, based on this fact, adjust their behavior in cyberspace.