The aim of this study was to investigate cyber-crime victimization among Internet users in the United States by: 1) assessing the factors that impact computer virus victimization; 2) assessing the factors that impact cyber-crime victimization; and 3) predicting fear of cyber-crime. Two domains in criminology were applied to the study of cyber-crime phenomenon: routine activity theory, and the fear of crime literature. Three independent models were developed to predict computer virus victimization, cyber-crime victimization, and fear of cyber-crime. Measures of routine activity theory applied to cyber-crime victimization include risk exposure, and suitable targets were created. A more reliable measure of fear of cyber-crime was created, and a measure of perceived seriousness of cyber-crime was created. The 2004 National Cyber Crime Victimization Survey dataset was used in this project. Logistic Regression and OLS Regression were utilized to predict computer virus victimization, cyber-crime victimization, and fear of cyber-crime.The findings of this study indicate that routine activity theory was a powerful predictor of computer virus victimization and cyber-crime victimization. That is, risk exposure and suitable targets helped determine the victimization. The study also found that cyber-crime victimization, gender, and perceived seriousness were predictive of fear of cyber-crime. Discussion of the findings and theoretical and policy implications were offered.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-2243 |
| Date | 13 May 2006 |
| Creators | Al-Shalan, Abdullah |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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