University of Twente Student Theses
Behaviour change in cybersecurity : a mouse-tracking study
Platje, T. (2021) Behaviour change in cybersecurity : a mouse-tracking study.
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| Abstract: | This study investigated whether different appeals in nudges influence online security behaviour. Based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), a risk message nudged the participants (N = 143) to perform an online security behaviour (changing passwords). The effect of the risk message condition (threat-appeal condition, coping-appeal condition, combined-appeal condition) on participants’ fear, anxiety, behavioural intention, coping, confidence in trustworthiness of websites, whether they wanted to drop out, and denial to improve their cybersecurity was examined including risk-taking as interaction factor. Mouse tracking was used to get insights into participants’ online behaviour. Results showed that participants’ fear was higher for the threat-appeal condition and coping-appeal condition compared to the combined-appeal condition. The risk message condition did not appear to have an effect on anxiety, behavioural intention to change the behaviour, coping scores, the confidence in trustworthiness of websites, and the question of whether the participant wanted to drop out of the study. The risk message condition including risk-taking as interaction factor did not predict the denial to improve their cybersecurity. Due to technical circumstances, the mouse-tracking data could not be statistically analysed. Heatmaps indicated more mouse movement around the button that made it possible to deny improving the cybersecurity in the coping-appeal condition and the combined-appeal condition than in the threat-appeal condition. Future research should focus on the placement of nudges, development of validated scales, and mouse tracking as well as on the influence of external rules and regulations on cybersecurity behaviour. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/86572 |
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