Improving protection mechanisms by understanding online risk

• Published in: Information management & computer security Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 382 - 393
• Main Authors: Atkinson, Shirley, Johnson, Chris, Phippen, Andy
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 16.10.2007; Emerald
• Subjects: Cellular telephones; Computer security; Exact sciences and technology; Identity theft; Information and communication sciences; Information and communication technologies; Information science. Documentation; Internet; Internet access; Murders & murder attempts; Personal information; Privacy; Qualitative research; Questionnaires; Risk management; Sciences and techniques of general use; Social networks; Social research; Websites; Qualitative research; Privacy; Internet; Risk management; Private life; Prototype; Protection system; Qualitative analysis; Computer security; Personal data
• ISSN: 0968-5227; 2056-4961; 1758-5805; 2056-497X
• DOI: 10.1108/09685220710831125

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to examine privacy risks for two groups of individuals for whom privacy is an important issue. Understanding the risks to vulnerable groups leads to the development of a prototype tool used to inform users about areas of potential harm in their online behaviour.Design methodology approach - Data collection employed a number of qualitative approaches in order to best understand both the risks and the social context surrounding them. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and questionnaires were all utilised where appropriate. Subjects were selected from two groups of individuals for whom the abuse of personal information could lead to serious harm - teenagers and domestic abuse survivors.Findings - The findings provide specific examples of risks posed to the two groups of individuals involved in the study and demonstrate the need for protection mechanisms that promote the awareness of potential risk among vulnerable internet users. These formed the basis of the requirements for the prototype.Originality value - This paper presents a contribution to the understanding of risks faced by individuals from technologies as well as considering the potential for harm in an online setting against traditional abuse theories. It also contributes to the body of knowledge considering the development of privacy-enhancing technologies.