Student : K Leong
About the student
My name is Keana Leong, and I am an Honours student in Computer Science with hands-on experience in cybersecurity. I am passionate about leveraging technology, continuously learning, and tackling challenges that require problem-solving and critical thinking. In my spare time, you’ll find me enjoying quality moments with loved ones or outdoors in nature.
About the Project
This project presents a gamified phishing awareness simulator designed to enhance user engagement and improve resilience against phishing attacks. Unlike traditional training methods that are often static and repetitive, this system integrates machine learning (ML) and reinforcement learning (RL) to create an adaptive and interactive learning environment. The ML component, built around a Random Forest classifier, analyses email features such as URLs, suspicious domains, urgency keywords, and attachments to determine whether an email is phishing or legitimate. These predictions are used both to validate user responses and to provide immediate, feedback-driven learning. Reinforcement learning extends this functionality by dynamically adjusting the difficulty of phishing scenarios based on user performance. Using a Q-learning framework, the RL agent rewards correct responses and penalises incorrect ones, refining its policy over time to deliver personalised training paths. Gamification elements form a key part of the design. Users earn points, streaks, and badges, which are persistently tracked and displayed through leaderboards and user profiles. This reward structure not only motivates continuous participation but also supports long-term knowledge retention by making the learning process more engaging.
