1. Pandemic and predation: an analysis of economic stressors and online scam susceptibility during COVID-19.
- Author
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Burruss, George, Weber, Courtney, Fisk, Nathan, and Giovannetti, Federico
- Abstract
The societal response to the COVID-19 pandemic moved much human interaction online, increasing the risk of widespread cybercrime victimization. We were interested in measuring the changes in the online behaviors of Floridians in December 2020. A survey of 3,000 residents assessed their vulnerability to and experiences with cybercrime during the pandemic. Two visual vignettes were designed to assess the respondents’ willingness to interact with online scams, with each vignette presenting different levels of engagement. In addition to asking about victimization, we assessed the stressors of dealing with the pandemic – health, finances, and communication – on various behaviors and negative online experiences. Results found that higher job stress caused by the pandemic, poor cyber hygiene, and more engagement with social media and streaming sites predicted engagement with the vignette posts. In general, the study demonstrates that the added stressors brought about by a worldwide pandemic heighten the susceptibility to becoming a victim of a cybercrime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2025
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