Risky digital behavior or risky digital places? Victimization risk perception and evaluation on the internet

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study applies context-based approaches to victimization risk perception in digital spaces. Vignettes are randomly assigned to a convenience sample of internet users and analyzed to determine how digital location and user behavior affects perceived likelihood of malware victimization and objective risk evaluation. Means-differences tests between conjoint treatment groups show statistically significant differences on all dependent variables between respondents who received high risk site/high risk behavior scenarios and those who received low risk site/low risk behavior scenarios. Internet users’ risk perception is affected both by location in digital space and user behavior, but these effects vary when measured in a conjoint scenario. In the context of online victimization, the findings suggest that internet users’ risk perceptions are influenced by behavior regardless of location. This conclusion supports prior research suggesting that digital victimology should examine specific behaviors on the internet such as information-sharing, rather than types of websites visited, to better understand how individuals navigate victimization risk in digital space.