Technology Threat Avoidance Theory Research Articles

Awareness On Online Financial Scams: A Case Study in Malaysia

Malaysia has seen an increase in digitization in almost all aspects of its people's daily lives, especially in the usage of online banking or e-wallet transactions. However, a rise in online financial scams in Malaysia has been reported recently. People have become unaware of the transparency of their information as a result of their reliance on the Internet. This study aims to identify the awareness on online financial scam in Malaysia using the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Independent variables included are cybersecurity knowledge, perceived severity, subjective norm, as well as security and privacy concerns. The data collection method in this study is primary data and 384 sets survey questionnaires were collected. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) software was used to generate the statistical analysis. The results showed that cybersecurity knowledge, perceived severity, and subjective norm have a significant relationship with the awareness on online financial scam, while security and privacy concerns have an insignificant relationship with the awareness on online financial scam. This study will provide an insight for Malaysians, particularly companies, and policymakers so that they can better understand the ways to increase awareness on online financial scam.

Understanding security behaviour among healthcare professionals by comparing results from technology threat avoidance theory and protection motivation theory

ABSTRACT We investigate security behaviour among healthcare professionals while comparing upon two prevalent theories in information security (IS) research: Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT). Although IS research often uses these models, very few studies compare the two models using a diverse sample of 245 healthcare professionals. The data were analysed using partial least squares regression - structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Results indicated that both models were similarly robust at predicting security behaviour. Perceived severity and response efficacy positively influenced avoidance motivation (AM) for PMT. All factors of the threat appraisal arm of TTAT and safeguard efficacy played an influencing role on AM in TTAT. Response cost and self-efficacy were not supported in either model, providing us with potentially new insights into this specific population’s security intentions. With the addition of Perceived Threat, TTAT appears to be slightly more robust model with 64% of the variance explained by the given model while PMT explains only 60% of the variance. Given the ever-increasing risk of data breaches in healthcare, practical applications and implications of the study’s findings to health information technology (HIT) policy and infrastructure are also discussed.

A mixed-methods investigation of the factors affecting the use of facial recognition as a threatening AI application

PurposeArtificial intelligence (AI) applications pose a potential threat to users' data security and privacy due to their high data-dependence nature. This paper aims to investigate an understudied issue in the literature, namely, how users perceive the threat of and decide to use a threatening AI application. In particular, it examines the influencing factors and the mechanisms that affect an individual’s behavioral intention to use facial recognition, a threatening AI.Design/methodology/approachThe authors develop a research model with trust as the key mediating variable by integrating technology threat avoidance theory, the theory of planned behavior and contextual factors related to facial recognition. Then, it is tested through a sequential mixed-methods investigation, including a qualitative study (for model development) of online comments from various platforms and a quantitative study (for model validation) using field survey data.FindingsPerceived threat (triggered by perceived susceptibility and severity) and perceived avoidability (promoted by perceived effectiveness, perceived cost and self-efficacy) have negative and positive relationships, respectively, with an individual’s attitude toward facial recognition applications; these relationships are partially mediated by trust. In addition, perceived avoidability is positively related to perceived behavioral control, which along with attitude and subjective norm is positively related to individuals' intentions to use facial recognition applications.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to examine the factors that affect the acceptance of threatening AI applications and how. The research findings extend the current literature by providing rich and novel insights into the important roles of perceived threat, perceived avoidability, and trust in affecting an individual’s attitude and intention regarding using threatening AI applications.

"I Wonder if my Years of Training and Expertise Will be Devalued by Machines": Concerns About the Replacement of Medical Professionals by Artificial Intelligence.

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare has raised concerns among healthcare professionals about the potential displacement of human medical professionals by AI technologies. However, the apprehensions and perspectives of healthcare workers regarding the potential substitution of them with AI are unknown. This qualitative research aimed to investigate healthcare workers' concerns about artificial intelligence replacing medical professionals. A descriptive and exploratory research design was employed, drawing upon the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Technology Threat Avoidance Theory, and Sociotechnical Systems Theory as theoretical frameworks. Participants were purposively sampled from various healthcare settings, representing a diverse range of roles and backgrounds. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions, followed by thematic analysis. The analysis revealed seven key themes reflecting healthcare workers' concerns, including job security and economic concerns; trust and acceptance of AI; ethical and moral dilemmas; quality of patient care; workforce role redefinition and training; patient-provider relationships; healthcare policy and regulation. This research underscores the multifaceted concerns of healthcare workers regarding the increasing role of AI in healthcare. Addressing job security, fostering trust, addressing ethical dilemmas, and redefining workforce roles are crucial factors to consider in the successful integration of AI into healthcare. Healthcare policy and regulation must be developed to guide this transformation while maintaining the quality of patient care and preserving patient-provider relationships. The study findings offer insights for policymakers and healthcare institutions to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare while addressing the concerns of healthcare professionals.

Analisis Tingkat Security Awareness-Personal Threat Terhadap Ancaman Phishing Dengan Metode Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT)

Phishing is a sort of cybercrime that involves obtaining sensitive information through the use of email, SMS, or compromised websites. The effects of phishing are caused by factors in the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory. The single best way to stop phishing attacks is to increase awareness of the risk of them happening among users or end users (human firewall). To determine the next steps in raising user knowledge, it is necessary to measure cybersecurity awareness, particularly against phishing assaults. Identify a few significant cybersecurity awareness of FTTI University of Jenderal Achmad Yani students in Yogyakarta. The investigation in this case included a phishing test and also employed online observation using observers who were asked questions based on the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT). Using the MANOVA analysis method, factors influencing cybersecurity awareness analysis is conducted. Based on the analysis and testing of phishing tests as well as online questionnaires from the sample population, it shows that the sample is at a poor level of awareness. While the analysis of cybersecurity influence factors using the MANOVA analysis method shows that the results of the sig.> 0.05 value so that h0 is rejected. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that FTTI students were still vulnerable to phishing attacks. Factor analysis using the MANOVA method shows that the dependent factor affects the level of cybersecurity awareness of the respondents but there is no significant difference between the dependent factors.

The mediating role of security anxiety in internet threat avoidance behavior

In the prior technology threat avoidance literature, inconsistent results are found in examining the relationships between individuals’ perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived threat, as well as the intention to avoid security threats. One possible explanation for this paradox is lacking consideration of the role of individuals’ negative emotions while facing threats, which is rarely studied before. Therefore, the current study aims to extend the landscape of technology threat avoidance theory by exploring the role of security anxiety in individuals’ responses to security threats from the Internet. Our results demonstrate that Internet users’ risk aversion is strongly influenced by their perception of security threats, response efficacy, and security self-efficacy within the online environment. Also, our results indicate that individuals’ security anxiety can partially mediate the relationship between perceived threat and Internet threat avoidance behavior.

Information vulnerability in facial recognition payment: An explanation of technology threat avoidance and information boundary theory

As an emerging payment approach, facial recognition payment (FRP) offers superior user experience for customers and is changing our daily life. However, the sensitive information collected by the FRP service provider may create customers’ information vulnerability which then hinders the use of FRP. Drawing on Technology Threat Avoidance Theory and Information Boundary Theory, this study focuses on how information vulnerability affects customers’ FRP continuance usage intention. By collecting two samples of 397 (Alipay) and 372 (WeChat) online survey responses with using experience of FRP through snowball sampling, this study empirically examines the conceptual model. The result shows that information vulnerability has positive impact on fear of financial losses and fear of reputational damage, which in turn reduce customers’ FRP continuance usage intention. As two important boundary coordination mechanisms, information use fairness and information use transparency both can negatively moderate the positive impact of information vulnerability on fear of financial losses and fear of reputational damage. Despite this study has some limitations, it still extends the literatures related FRP and information vulnerability, and provides significant implications for practitioners and FRP industry.

Is the digital security act 2018 sufficient to avoid cyberbullying in Bangladesh? A quantitative study on young women from generation-z of Dhaka city

PurposeCyberbullying has yet to be thoroughly investigated from the perspective of Gen-Z women, and it is vital to determine how this law influences these young women to avoid cyberbullying. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to fill a knowledge vacuum by confirming the technology threat avoidance theory utilizing both adaptive (avoidance motivation) and maladaptive (wishful thinking) approaches. Design/methodology/approachTo gather data from Gen-Z women in Dhaka, we employed a purposive sampling strategy, which yielded 252 valid replies. After that, there were three steps to the evaluation: a measuring model, a structural model, and a mediation analysis. FindingsSeven out of ten hypotheses were found to be significant, with variances of 73.4% and 10.5% for avoidance motivation and wishful thinking, respectively. Furthermore, rather than having a direct influence on coping approaches, the perceived threat had an indirect effect through the mediation effect of perceived avoidability. Practical implicationsThis study takes into account Gen-Z women's motivation to be protected from cyberbullying, paving the way for the passage of the digital security act 2018. The data also reveal how to teach these young ladies about the threats of cyberbullying and how to defend themselves. Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to look at the factors that influence Gen-Z women's motivation to use the digital security act 2018 to address cyberbullying. In addition, wishful thinking has been newly included as an emotional coping strategy in this context, along with the present avoidance motivation of TTAT.

Examining the effect of regulatory factors on avoiding online blackmail threats on social media: A structural equation modeling approach

Individuals and organizations rely on social media to share files and knowledge. On the other hand, criminals find social media applications a rich place to attack through techniques like phishing, fraud, and blackmail. While the rate of blackmail is growing, there is a lack of literature on the subject. This study aims to examine the impact of information security regulation factors such as information security awareness, policies, and culture towards avoiding online blackmail threats. The study proposes a model constructed from technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and organizational control (OC). A quantitative approach based on an online survey was conducted to collect data from 547 employees and students from different industrial backgrounds. The results show that information security culture and information security awareness have an impact on users’ motivation to avoid online blackmail threats through attitude and subjective norms. Furthermore, perceiving a mandated policy significantly impacts avoidance behavior. In addition, apathy and anticipated regret play a significant role in avoidance motivation. These results provide evidence on the importance of social factors on impacting avoidance motivation using the TTAT model. Further, the study encourages organizations to focus more on specifying policies and building an information security culture in order to ensure users avoid these threats through compliance and motivation.

Factors Affecting the Security Threat Avoidance Behaviors of Mobile Financial Service Users

Mobile financial services (MFSs) help customers execute basic financial services with their mobile phones, thereby bringing common people under the formal financial system. Despite the inherent potentiality of MFS, an increasing number of mobile financial frauds reported in different media are threatening customers. To fully analyze factors affecting the avoidance behaviors of the users, the study has employed two widely used theories, namely the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT). To reveal the complex relationship among the constructs, the partial least squared based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data of 255 respondents in Bangladesh. The results indicate an interesting finding that the avoidance motivation of the users is not affected by attitude. However, all other exogenous factors such as subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, perceived cost of non-avoidance significantly impact the avoidance motivation. The results also support that avoidance motivation leads to the avoidance behavior in a significant manner.

The influence of big data-enabled price discrimination on tourists’ continuance usage intention to mobile applications: a technology threat avoidance perspective

ABSTRACT Though an increasing number of tourists are experiencing big data-enabled price discrimination, the influence of big data-enabled price discrimination on tourists’ continuance usage intention to mobile applications has been largely ignored by existing literature. This is the very first attempt to explore this research topic. Specifically, this paper aims to explore the influence of big data-enabled price discrimination on tourists’ continuance usage intention to mobile applications by extending the technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT). One thousand and two valid questionnaires were collected based on purposive and snowball sampling. Structural equation modelling (SEM) method was used to test the proposed the research model. The findings indicated that both perceived price fairness, threat appraisal, and perceived deception have significant impacts on tourists’ countenance usage intention to the mobile applications after experiencing big data-enabled price discrimination. Threat appraisal was also found to significantly influence avoidance intention and emotion-focused coping. Moreover, this study revealed that avoidance intention significantly impacts emotion-focused coping, while avoidance intention does not significantly influence tourists’ countenance usage intention. Importantly, perceived switching cost moderates two relationships: threat appraisal-continuance usage intention and perceived deception-continuance usage intention. In addition to the theoretical contribution, practical implications are also discussed.

Assessing and Enhancing Adversarial Robustness of Predictive Analytics: An Empirically Tested Design Framework

ABSTRACT As predictive analytics increasingly applies supervised machine learning (SML) models to inform mission-critical decision-making, adversaries become incentivized to exploit the vulnerabilities of these SML models and mislead predictive analytics into erroneous decisions. Due to the limited understanding and awareness of such adversarial attacks, the predictive analytics knowledge and deployment need a principled technique for adversarial robustness assessment and enhancement. In this research, we leverage the technology threat avoidance theory as the kernel theory and propose a research framework for assessing and enhancing the adversarial robustness of predictive analytics applications. We instantiate the proposed framework by developing a robust text classification system, the ARText system. The proposed system is rigorously evaluated in comparison with benchmark methods on two tasks extensively enabled by SML: spam review detection and spam email detection, which then confirmed the utility and effectiveness of our ARText system. Results from numerous experiments revealed that our proposed framework could significantly enhance the adversarial robustness of predictive analytics applications.

Mobile Device Users’ Susceptibility to Phishing Attacks

The mobile device is one of the fasted growing technologies that is widely used in a diversifying sector. Mobile devices are used for everyday life, such as personal information exchange – chatting, email, shopping, and mobile banking, contributing to information security threats. Users' behavior can influence information security threats. More research is needed to understand users' threat avoidance behavior and motivation. Using Technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT), this study assessed factors that influenced mobile device users' threat avoidance motivations and behaviors as it relates to phishing attacks. From the data collected from 137 mobile device users using a questionnaire, the findings indicate that (1) mobile device users' perceived susceptibility and severity of phishing attacks have a significant correlation with a users' perception of the threat; (2) mobile device users' motivation to avoid a threat is correlated to a users' behavior in avoiding threat; and (3) a mobile device user's susceptibility to phishing attacks can be reduced by their perception of the threat. These findings reveal that a user's perception of threat increases if they perceive that the consequence of such threat to their mobile devices will be severe, thereby increasing a user's motivation and behavior to avoid phishing attack threats. This study is beneficial to mobile device users in personal and organizational settings.

An Empirical Study to Explore the Adoption of E-Learning Social Media Platform in Taiwan: An Integrated Conceptual Adoption Framework Based on Technology Acceptance Model and Technology Threat Avoidance Theory

Currently, social media is ubiquitous and essential for social networking and content sharing. It is an effective platform for teaching and learning in higher education and provides a novel way to communicate between instructors and pupils. Thus, the purpose of this study was to present a research framework to examine students’ motivation to adopt an e-learning system with social medial platforms. This cross-sectional study used the questionnaire to collect data from the students in Taiwan. A framework has examined students’ motivation to adopt an e-learning system with social medial platforms based on the modified technology acceptance model (TAM) and technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT). The research framework was evaluated by structural equation modeling (SEM) and represented by Smart-PLS. A total of 262 valid responses were used for statistical analysis. The results recommended modified research model explains 77.0% of the variance of motivation to adopt (R2 = 0.77). The findings also supported perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived cost, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy significantly influenced students’ motivation to use. Results also indicated threat appraisal, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity are not significant factors for predicting students’ motivation to adopt e-learning in higher education.

Cyber-Identity Theft and Fintech Services

The fear of identity theft has been considered as an impediment to the rapid utilization of financial technology (FinTech) services. Based on the technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT), this study aims at investigating the willingness of users to use FinTech services notwithstanding the increasing rate of identity theft. This study examines the relationship between the constructs of fear of financial loss, fear of reputational damage, intention to use, and the actual use of FinTech services. Using multiple linear regression models and Pearson's correlation, the results indicate that the fear of financial loss and the fear of reputational damage have no statistical significant relationship with the intention to use and the use of FinTech services. However, the results show a significant relationship between intention to use and the actual use of FinTech services. Consequently, the study indicates that the fear of identity theft does not significantly deter users from using FinTech services.

Risk Taking Behaviors Using Public Wi-Fi™

Dramatic increases in public Wi-Fi™ (hereafter referred to as Wi-Fi) availability have occurred over the last decade. Although Wi-Fi provides convenient network connectivity, it has significant security vulnerabilities. Despite widespread knowledge of potential vulnerabilities of public Wi-Fi, most people simply connect to it in public places. We investigated the individual calculus behind risk-taking behavior based on the theoretical foundations of risk taking behavior, technology threat avoidance theory, prospect theory, and self-determination theory. Using survey data collected from 1313 respondents in the United States, this study found that avoidance motivation, risk averting propensity, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivations affect intention to use public Wi-Fi. In addition, our results indicate that avoidance motivation is related to safeguard effectiveness, safeguard cost, and perceived threat, while risk averting propensity is associated with positive outcome history, age, gender, and education attainment.

Emotional reactions and coping responses of employees to a cyber-attack: A case study

Cybersecurity is a serious threat to information technology (IT) systems, with most organisations now relying on their IT systems to function day-to-day. Therefore, it is crucial that organisations ensure they are protected. This research investigates the emotional and coping responses of employees towards a cyber-attack. Data was collected through an in-depth case study approach (24 semi-structured interviews) conducted at a global manufacturing company, along with primary observations and a corpus of secondary materials. Our data analysis applied a grounded approach which was then refined using an emotion theoretic lens with the application of Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT). Drawing on structural appraisal theory, our findings indicate the IT security team in the case study oscillated between positive problem-focused coping and negative emotion-focused coping. A key explanatory feature or turnaround mechanism that mediated this oscillation was senior management empathy and resource mobilization. Building on the analyses, a conceptual model is developed called the Transformation of Coping through Empathic Leadership (T-CEL). The research suggests the crucial role that senior management play in transforming the emotional and coping capabilities of employees through their intervention and support. The study extends the IS Security theoretical background through a TTAT-lens for the analysis of cyber-attack incidents.

Understanding cloud-based BYOD information security protection behaviour in smart business: in perspective of perceived value

ABSTRACT This research aims at investigating the critical factors that promote users in protecting the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) information security. Perceived value serves as the core variable and integrates the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory and the Value-based Adoption Model to propose an integrated model. The questionnaire survey employed to verify the hypotheses. The results show that perceived usefulness (positive), perceived threats (positive), perceived expense (negative), impact on systems performance (negative), and user self-efficacy (positive) are the critical factors. The explanatory power (R2) is 51%. Besides, BYOD security awareness and perceived values affect the intention of BYOD security protection (R2=62%).

Perceived vulnerability of cyberbullying on social networking sites: effects of security measures, addiction and self-disclosure

PurposeCyber-bullying is a form of cyber-crime that has been propagated through extensive use of social networking sites (SNS). Despite the implementation of sophisticated security measures and government compliances, privacy intrusion is petrifying. Therefore, the purpose of this paper attempts to explore as follows: why cases of bullying are still snowballing year after year? Is it possible that advances in security measures are making users more vulnerable? Or, is it a social media addiction, which is making users vulnerable to cyberbullying?Design/methodology/approachThe proposed research framework is grounded in the technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT). An empirical survey of 365 social media users was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to understand the impact of security measures, voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) and addiction on perceived vulnerability (PV) to cyber-bullying.FindingsThe findings indicate that security measures play a significant role in propelling users to disclose their personal information voluntarily, which, in turn, results in social media addiction, which further exposes users to cyberbullying. Moreover, the study unravels gender differences in perceived vulnerabilities to cyberbullying.Practical implicationsThe findings of the current research contribute to a better understanding of gender differences in the awareness of security measures, addiction intensities, level of self-disclosures and propensity to cyberbullying victimization. Additionally, prevention and intervention efforts may benefit from using a more targeted approach to identify potential male and female victims that experience different forms of bullying on SNS.Originality/valueIn addition to other constructs, the current research investigates the role of user security measures (USM) and website security measures (WSM) on the PV to cyberbullying, typically, the role of these measures is to prevent the users from becoming the victims, whereas the research unravels that they could be the possible reasons for the increased number of cases in India. To the best of the knowledge, such conflicting roles of security measures have not been discussed earlier.

Motivating information security policy compliance: The critical role of supervisor-subordinate guanxi and organizational commitment

Employees’ non-compliance with organizational information security policy (ISP) when using informational resources has become the main reason for continuous security incidents. Drawing upon technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT) and social exchange theory (SET), our study investigates the influence of supervisor-subordinate guanxi (SSG) and organizational commitment in the information security management. Our hypotheses were tested using survey data from 235 Chinese government employees. Results not only confirm the direct effect of SSG on government employees’ ISP compliance but also suggest that SSG indirectly influences compliance behavior via the mediation of organizational commitment. Organizational commitment weakens the negative influence of perceived costs on compliance behavior and also weakens the positive effect of self-efficacy on employees’ ISP compliance. For low-commitment employees, the negative influence of perceived costs on compliance behavior is more significant than that of those with strong organizational commitment, and self-efficacy exerts a stronger effect on ISP compliance for low-commitment employees than it does for high-commitment employees. This study contributes to current literature on information systems (IS) by confirming the critical roles of SSG and organizational commitment in motivating employees’ compliance behavior.