Psychologists as information-communication system users: Is this bridge between information-communication and behavioral science enough to prevent risky online behaviors?

Abstract

The research aimed to examine the level of security awareness and knowledge and online risky behavior of psychologists as information-communication systems users, i.e., experts in the field of behavioral sciences with some work experience in the Internet security area. Participants were 55 employed psychologists. They completed an online Behavioral-Cognitive Internet Security Questionnaire, consisted of two scales that measure cognitive risk and importance of data privacy and two scales that measure self-assessed risky online behavior and actual risky online behavior (simulated). The results showed that a large number of psychologists show risky online behaviors: 40% left their e-mail addresses, and 45.5% gave their passwords. No statistically significant association was obtained between self-assessed and simulated risk behavior, i.e. what they say about their online activities and how they actually behave online was not associated. Furthermore, results showed statistically significantly more actual risky online behavior (simulated) than reported by self-assessment. Psychologists are also more aware of the importance of data storage in relation to the potential risks of their alienation. Obviously, previous education and the current level of information security awareness are insufficient to prevent risky online behaviors even of well-informed users. Moreover, what users report about their online behavior is inconsistent with their actual behavior, leading to the need to develop additional simulation scales to measure computer users’ actual risk behaviors and new prevention programs to decrease actual online risky behaviors in users.