Shadows Behind the Keyboard: Dark Personalities and Deception in Cyberattacks

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the psychology of cyberattacks is critical for finding ways to minimize their efficacy and harm. Specifically, there are multiple types of attackers, and different attackers have different goals and varied approaches. Through the study of individual differences, we can better understand not only who is most likely to engage in criminal activity in cyberspace but the dispositional tendencies towards specific types of online attacks. Thus, by understanding the psychology of malevolent characters, we can better understand (a) how different attackers go about launching their attacks, (b) who these attackers are likely to target, and (c) the tactics and strategies these different attackers are likely to use.