Table 11 Measurement items
From: Predicting individuals’ vulnerability to social engineering in social networks
Construct | Dimensions | Questions | Measurement items |
|---|---|---|---|
Perceived Risk | Severity of threat | • Please choose the best answer in each statement that indicates the extent to which a statement is true for you: (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • I believe that losing my data privacy while using Facebook would be a severe problem for me (ST2) • I believe that having my messages and chats being seen or listened to in Facebook would be a severe problem for me (ST3) • I believe that losing my financial information while using Facebook would be harmful for me (ST4) |
Likelihood of threat | • Answer the following questions according to your beliefs, attitudes, and experiences: (from Extremely Likely to Extremely Unlikely) | • How likely is it for your financial information to be stolen in Facebook? (LT1) • How likely is it that your identity can be stolen in Facebook? (LT2) • How likely is it for your privacy to be invaded without your knowledge while using Facebook? (LT3) | |
Competence | Security | • Please choose the best answer in each statement that indicates the extent to which a statement is true for you: (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • I use password for my Facebook account different from the passwords I use to access other sites (SA2) • I use a specific new email for my Facebook account different from my personal or work email (SA4) |
Privacy | • Please choose the best answer in each statement that indicates the extent to which a statement is true for you: (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • I don’t share personal information on Facebook such as birthdate, phone number, workplace or address (PA3) • I don’t share my current or future location on Facebook for example, images for my current vacation, or plans for future vacation (PA4) | |
Self-efficacy | • Please choose the best answer in each statement that indicates the extent to which a statement is true for you: (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • I have the knowledge and the ability to secure my Facebook account by adjusting the account settings (SEF3) • I have the ability to protect myself from any online threats while using Facebook (SEF4) | |
Past experience with cybercrime | • How often have you experienced or been a victim of the following incidents? (Rate each statement from always to never) | • Identity theft (somebody stealing your personal data and impersonating you, e.g. Open SN account with your name, or Shopping under your name) (PE1_It) • Phishing (Received emails fraudulently asking for money or personal details, including banking or payment information) (PE2_Ph) • Online fraud where goods purchased were not delivered, counterfeit or not as advertised (PE3_OF) • Harassment, cyber-bullying (Received Harassing messages, inappropriate comments, or other persistent behaviours that endangers your safety) (PE4_Har) | |
Trust | Trust Provider | • Please choose the best answer that indicates how much you agree with the following statements: (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • Facebook is a trustworthy social network (TP1) • I can count on Facebook to protect my privacy (TP2) • I can count on Facebook to protect my personal information from unauthorized use (TP3) |
Trust Members | • Please choose the best answer that indicates how much you agree with the following statements: (from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • Facebook Members will not take advantage of others even when the opportunity arises (TM1) • Facebook Members are truthful in dealing with one another (TM3) • Facebook Members will always keep the promises they make to one another (TM4) | |
Motivation | Hedonic | • What are your main reasons of using social networks? (Rate each statement from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • To pass the time (HM1) • Using social networks are enjoyable and entertaining (HM2) |
Social | • What are your main reasons of using social networks? (Rate each statement from Strongly agree to Strongly disagree) | • To keep in touch with friends and family (SM1) • To maintain my popularity and prestige among peers (SM3) |