Risk Perceptions of Cyber-Security and Precautionary Behaviour

Paul Van Schaik, Debora Jeske, Joseph Onibokun, Lynne Coventry, Jurjen Jansen, Petko Kusev

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A quantitative empirical online study examined a set of 16 security hazards on the Internet and two comparisons in 436 UK- and US students, measuring perceptions of risk and other risk dimensions. First, perceived risk was highest for identity theft, keylogger, cyber-bullying and social engineering. Second, consistent with existing theory, significant predictors of perceived risk were voluntariness, immediacy, catastrophic potential, dread, severity of consequences and control, as well as Internet experience and frequency of Internet use. Moreover, control was a significant predictor of precautionary behaviour. Methodological implications emphasise the need for non-aggregated analysis and practical implications emphasise risk communication to Internet users.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)547-559
Number of pages13
JournalComputers in Human Behavior
Volume75
Early online date29 May 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2017

Fingerprint

Risk perception
Computer Security
Internet
Identity Theft
Bullying
Hazards
Communication
Risk Perception
World Wide Web
Students
Predictors

Cite this

Van Schaik, Paul ; Jeske, Debora ; Onibokun, Joseph ; Coventry, Lynne ; Jansen, Jurjen ; Kusev, Petko. / Risk Perceptions of Cyber-Security and Precautionary Behaviour. In: Computers in Human Behavior. 2017 ; Vol. 75. pp. 547-559.
@article{f05a11bbb8d941a7aac7d823491d1a19,
title = "Risk Perceptions of Cyber-Security and Precautionary Behaviour",
abstract = "A quantitative empirical online study examined a set of 16 security hazards on the Internet and two comparisons in 436 UK- and US students, measuring perceptions of risk and other risk dimensions. First, perceived risk was highest for identity theft, keylogger, cyber-bullying and social engineering. Second, consistent with existing theory, significant predictors of perceived risk were voluntariness, immediacy, catastrophic potential, dread, severity of consequences and control, as well as Internet experience and frequency of Internet use. Moreover, control was a significant predictor of precautionary behaviour. Methodological implications emphasise the need for non-aggregated analysis and practical implications emphasise risk communication to Internet users.",
keywords = "Risk perception;, Precautionary behaviour;, Information security;, Cyber-security;, Non-aggregate data analysis",
author = "{Van Schaik}, Paul and Debora Jeske and Joseph Onibokun and Lynne Coventry and Jurjen Jansen and Petko Kusev",
year = "2017",
month = "10",
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.038",
language = "English",
volume = "75",
pages = "547--559",
journal = "Computers in Human Behavior",
issn = "0747-5632",
publisher = "Elsevier Limited",

}

Van Schaik, P, Jeske, D, Onibokun, J, Coventry, L, Jansen, J & Kusev, P 2017, 'Risk Perceptions of Cyber-Security and Precautionary Behaviour', Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 75, pp. 547-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.038

Risk Perceptions of Cyber-Security and Precautionary Behaviour. / Van Schaik, Paul; Jeske, Debora; Onibokun, Joseph; Coventry, Lynne; Jansen, Jurjen; Kusev, Petko.

In: Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 75, 01.10.2017, p. 547-559.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

TY - JOUR

T1 - Risk Perceptions of Cyber-Security and Precautionary Behaviour

AU - Van Schaik, Paul

AU - Jeske, Debora

AU - Onibokun, Joseph

AU - Coventry, Lynne

AU - Jansen, Jurjen

AU - Kusev, Petko

PY - 2017/10/1

Y1 - 2017/10/1

N2 - A quantitative empirical online study examined a set of 16 security hazards on the Internet and two comparisons in 436 UK- and US students, measuring perceptions of risk and other risk dimensions. First, perceived risk was highest for identity theft, keylogger, cyber-bullying and social engineering. Second, consistent with existing theory, significant predictors of perceived risk were voluntariness, immediacy, catastrophic potential, dread, severity of consequences and control, as well as Internet experience and frequency of Internet use. Moreover, control was a significant predictor of precautionary behaviour. Methodological implications emphasise the need for non-aggregated analysis and practical implications emphasise risk communication to Internet users.

AB - A quantitative empirical online study examined a set of 16 security hazards on the Internet and two comparisons in 436 UK- and US students, measuring perceptions of risk and other risk dimensions. First, perceived risk was highest for identity theft, keylogger, cyber-bullying and social engineering. Second, consistent with existing theory, significant predictors of perceived risk were voluntariness, immediacy, catastrophic potential, dread, severity of consequences and control, as well as Internet experience and frequency of Internet use. Moreover, control was a significant predictor of precautionary behaviour. Methodological implications emphasise the need for non-aggregated analysis and practical implications emphasise risk communication to Internet users.

KW - Risk perception;

KW - Precautionary behaviour;

KW - Information security;

KW - Cyber-security;

KW - Non-aggregate data analysis

U2 - 10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.038

DO - 10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.038

M3 - Article

VL - 75

SP - 547

EP - 559

JO - Computers in Human Behavior

JF - Computers in Human Behavior

SN - 0747-5632

ER -

Van Schaik P, Jeske D, Onibokun J, Coventry L, Jansen J, Kusev P. Risk Perceptions of Cyber-Security and Precautionary Behaviour. Computers in Human Behavior. 2017 Oct 1;75:547-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.05.038

Access to Document