Youth cyberhygiene on social platforms: from analysis of aitm attacks to models of safe behavior

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive study of the risks faced by young people in today’s social media environments. The relevance of the study stems from the rapid development of social engineering methods, which are predominantly based on psychological manipulation. A classification of social networks by user age groups is presented, which has enabled the identification of priority attack vectors for each platform. Based on an empirical survey, critical gaps in young people’s digital literacy have been identified: it was found that a significant proportion of respondents are vulnerable to Adversary-in-the-Middle (AiTM) attacks due to an inability to recognise fake domains, as well as ignoring the absence of data encryption protocols. The mechanics of session token interception and subsequent account takeover have been analysed in detail.

The practical significance of the study lies in the development of a three-tier protection model, which includes system-wide, platform-specific (Telegram, Instagram, TikTok) and network-related (Wi-Fi security) recommendations. The proposed educational and behavioural approach shifts the focus from purely technical protection measures to fostering active digital resilience in users.