Using protection motivation theory in the design of nudges to improve online security behaviour
We conducted an online experiment (n=2,024) on a representative sample of internet users in Germany, Sweden, Poland, Spain and the UK to explore the effect of notifications on security behvaiour. Inspired by protection motivation theory (PMT), a coping message advised participants on how to minimise their exposure to risk and a threat appeal highlighted the potential negative consequences of not doing so. Both increased secure behaviour – but the coping message significantly more so. The coping message was also as effective as both messages combined, but not so the threat appeal. Risk attitudes, age and country had a significant effect on behaviour. Initiatives seeking to promote secure behaviour should focus more on coping messages, either alone or in combination with fear appeals.
VAN BAVEL Rene;
RODRIGUEZ PRIEGO Nuria;
VILA Jose;
BRIGGS Pam;
2018-11-30
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
JRC109367
1071-5819 (online),
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581918306475,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC109367,
10.1016/j.ijhcs.2018.11.003 (online),
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