"Cybercriminals Use Simple Trick to Obtain Personal Data"

According to new research conducted by the University of East Anglia, individuals disclose more personal information when asked the same questions twice. A new study demonstrates how straightforward repetition can lead to excessive disclosure, putting individuals at risk for identity theft and cybercrime. The research team suggests that understanding why individuals disclose confidential information could help develop effective solutions. For consumers who disclose their confidential information, there are potential costs and security risks. The research team asked for a variety of personal information from 27 study participants, including their height, weight, and phone number, as well as their views on immigration, abortion, and politics. The participants then ranked the queries from least intrusive to most intrusive and were asked how much of their personal information they would "sell" for a purpose-built website to be accessible for two weeks. Then, they inquired once more as to how much information they would sell, which would appear for an additional two weeks for the possibility of earning even more cash. In a second, larger online study, 132 participants were asked how much information they would sell at two different points in time, in addition to various personality questions. The pattern of progressively asking for more user information is reminiscent of the classic compliance technique known as the "foot-in-the-door" effect. This article continues to discuss the study on how people over-disclose personal data. 

Help Net Security reports "Cybercriminals Use Simple Trick to Obtain Personal Data"