“The Language of Manipulation in Arabic Phishing Texts”

Abstract

This study examines the utilization of language to influence readers in Arabic phishing texts. The objective was to discern the primary persuasive strategies and conduct a manual analysis of a collection of 10 authentic phishing texts. Following the deconstruction of the language in each message, a basic statistical analysis was conducted to determine the frequency of each strategy's occurrence. The findings indicated that framing and pathos were the predominant strategies employed to persuade victims. A brief survey (Questionnaire Google form) was conducted to compare these findings with real responses to these messages. Participants were instructed to rank the same 10 messages from most to least compelling. The results did not align with the manual analysis. Participants determined that logos (Appealing to Logic and Rationality)was the most persuasive, rather than framing and pathos. This difference indicates that the most often employed elements in the text do not necessarily have the most effective results on individuals, and both analytical approaches are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of phishing mechanisms.