EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF FEAR OF CYBERCRIME ON INTERNET USERS’ BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS, PRIVACY CALCULUS AND SECURITY INTENTIONS

This empirical study examined the impact of fear of cybercrime on Internet users’ online shopping safeguarding behaviors, online security measures, password management strategies and online privacy calculus. Exploring the predictors of fear of cybercrime was another goal of this study. To these ends, nationally representative data set of Crime Survey for England and Wales 2014/2015 was analyzed. Bivariate analyses results suggested the absence of gender differences in fear of cybercrime. This finding contradicts the existing fear of crime studies arguing that females are more fearful. Age and social status (education and income) emerged as significant correlates of fear of cybercrime. Internet users with higher income and higher education level reported significantly higher degrees of fear of cybercrime. Additionally, older Internet users emerged to be more fearful of cybercrime, when compared to middle-aged and younger Internet users. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Internet users continued online shopping and employed approach-avoidance strategies despite high levels of fear cybercrime. This result contradicts approach-avoidance paradigm, which posits fear of crime fosters avoidant behavior. Young Internet users emerged to be more cautious about online shopping. This finding is also another novel contribution of this study since the existing research depicts young users as compulsive buyers. Additionally, fear of cybercrime predicted limiting online self-disclosure. Internet users with higher degrees of fear of cybercrime refrained from disclosing their personal information online. Finally, fear of cybercrime promoted the application of online safeguarding measures.

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