NCJ Number
242350
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2013 Pages: 48-64
Date Published
February 2013
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior in predicting online protective behaviors.
Abstract
A widely promoted preventative measure against becoming a victim of cybercrime is the control of personal information online; however, little is known about what predicts the use of this type of protective safety behavior. This study examines the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior in predicting online protective behaviors. Participants (n = 150) completed measures of online privacy attitudes, normative influence, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intention to use and actual use of online protective behaviors. Path analysis indicated the effects of online privacy attitudes and normative beliefs on online protective safety behaviors were mediate through intention, while PBC had a significant direct effect on online protective safety behaviors. The model explained 81 percent of the variance in protective online safety behaviors. The results of this study facilitate understanding of the psychological processes underlying the use of online protective behaviors, and can be used in the development of educational materials and cyber-identity theft prevention strategies. (Published Abstract)