Abstract
We conducted an incentivized lab experiment examining the effect of gain vs. loss-framed warning messages on online security behavior. We measured the probability of suffering a cyberattack during the experiment as the result of five specific security behaviors: choosing a safe connection, providing minimum information during the sign-up process, choosing a strong password, choosing a trusted vendor, and logging-out. A loss-framed message led to more secure behavior during the experiment. The experiment also measured the effect of trusting beliefs and cybersecurity knowledge. Trusting beliefs had a negative effect on security behavior, while cybersecurity knowledge had a positive effect. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2020 Rodríguez-Priego, van Bavel, Vila and Briggs.]
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 527886 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Volume | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Oct 2020 |
Keywords
- cyber security
- gain vs. loss frame
- lab experiment
- nudge
- online behavior
- prospect theory
- threat assessment