Online safety begins with you and me: Convincing Internet users to protect themselves

摘要: We explore ways to encourage individuals follow online safety practices.We test effects of persuasive messaging strategies versus vicarious experience.Importance tailoring efficacy/experience levels shown. Serious and pervasive threats confront all Internet users. Despite frequent reports losses due computer security breaches, many still do not basic precautions. Understanding the mental processes that motivate users safe practices is key strengthening this weak link in chain. Using protection motivation theory (PMT), a model within class social cognitive theories (SCT), we develop assess value interventions enhance behaviors. Furthermore, integrate concept personal responsibility PMT approach better understand what motivates safe, The were tested using 2 (intervention strategy: manipulated)i?2 (personal responsibility: (knowledge: measured blocked), between subjects with random assignment experimental conditions behavior intentions as targeted outcome. Based on SCT principles change, two intervention developed, one semantically explained behaviors, offered user an enactive mastery exercise. sample was cross-sectional representative Results showed significant three-way interaction effect among responsibility, strategy prior knowledge. Enhancing user's sense appears be necessary precursor effective interventions, but necessarily sufficient; should match knowledge level Potential for designing messages are discussed.