The role of security notices and online consumer behaviour: An empirical study of social networking users

This paper uses a survey of social networking users to empirically explore their perceptions of security notices – independently verified artefacts informing internet site users that security measures are taken by the site owner. We investigate such factors as purchase experience, purchase intention, risk propensity, usage of various social network categories and user victimisation. The results suggest a strong positive link between purchase intention and paying attention to security notices/features on social networks. We find that higher use of narrow-purpose social networking services has a negative association with paying attention to security notices. We also show that users with higher risk propensity pay less attention to security notices/features. Finally, we find no association between purchase experience, user victimisation and perception of security notices/features. Our results provide new, and possibly more refined, evidence of the factors that influence the attention paid to security notices/features by social media users. The results have important implications for theory development, policy and practice

Limited Information and Quick Decisions: Consumer Privacy Calculus for Mobile Applications

Mobile applications (also known as “apps”) have rapidly grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. Because they are available through devices that are “always on” and often with the user, users often adopt mobile apps “on the fly” as they need them. As a result, users often base their adoption and disclosure decisions only on the information provided through the mobile app delivery platform (e.g., the Apple App Store™ or Google Play™). The fact that using a mobile app often requires one to disclose an unprecedented combination of personal information (e.g., location data, preferences, contacts, calendars, browsing history, music library) means that one makes a complex risk/benefit tradeoff decision based on only the small amount of information that the mobile app delivery platform provides—and all in a short period of time. Hence, this process is much shorter and much riskier than traditional software adoption. Through two experiments involving 1,588 mobile app users, we manipulated three primary sources of information provided by a platform (app quality ratings, network size, and privacy assurances) to understand their effect on perceptions of privacy risks and benefits and, in turn, how they influence consumer adoption intentions and willingness to pay (WTP). We found that network size influenced not only perceived benefits but also the perceived risks of apps in the absence of perfect information. In addition, we found that integrating a third party privacy assurance system into the app platform had a significant influence on app adoption and information disclosure. We also found that a larger network size reduces LBS privacy risk perceptions, which confirms our information cascade hypothesis. We discuss the implications of these findings for research and practice

AICPA Technical Practice Aids, as of June 1, 2005, Volume 2

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_guides/2584/thumbnail.jp

AICPA Technical Practice Aids, as of June 1, 2004, Volume 2

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_guides/2554/thumbnail.jp

AICPA Technical Practice Aids, as o June 1, 2003, Volume 2

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_guides/2551/thumbnail.jp

A Study on the Effects of E-Service Quality of Nagarik App on User Satisfaction

학위논문(석사) -- 서울대학교대학원 : 행정대학원 글로벌행정전공, 2023. 2. 최태현.Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out which construct of e-service quality of 'Nagarik App' has the greater effect on user satisfaction and examine the users satisfaction level in regards to e-service quality in Nepal. E-service quality was measured by; efficiency, system availability, privacy, fulfillment, responsiveness, and contact as independent variables. Satisfaction was examined as pleasurable experience and continuance intention of use of 'Nagarik App' as prescribed by expectation confirmation theory. Design/Methodology/Approach: Quantitative approach was employed to collect the required data. Nepali citizens who are using 'Nagarik App' are considered as the population. A Google-based online survey questionnaire, with filtering question only to collect data from the app user, was administered to collect data. 432 valid responses were analyzed with SAS software. Factor analysis, descriptive analysis, correlation, t-test, and multiple linear regression were performed to test the proposed hypothesis. Findings: With the results of principle component analysis, all the question items well represent the corresponding constructs together except for efficiency and system availability measures. Cronbach alpha (contact =0.902, privacy =0.897, responsiveness = 0.858, efficiency =0.838, fulfillment =0.849, system availability =0.840, and satisfaction =0.888) suggested the internal consistency of the items and they represent the constructs well. As the adjusted R square (0.628) suggested, predictors in the regression model showed 62.80% of fitness to explain user satisfaction. Out of the six independent variables, efficiency (0.241), privacy (0.141), fulfillment (0.328), and contact (0.255) exhibited positive and statistically significant relation (p<0.01) with user satisfaction. On the other hand, responsiveness (-0.038) displayed statistically insignificant negative relationship while system availability (0.045) has a positive but statistically insignificant relationship with user satisfaction. Standardized coefficient estimates suggested that fulfillment (0.323) has relatively the strongest effect on user satisfaction followed by contact (0.295), efficiency (0.210), and privacy (0.155). Responsiveness (-0.042), on the other hand, has the negative and the weakest effect on user satisfaction followed by system availability (0.054). Among the four control variables, both age (-0.099, p <0.01) and gender (0.117, p<0.1) showed negative relationships with user satisfaction. Education and platform of use did not show any statistically significant relationship with user satisfaction. In sum, four out of six hypotheses were confirmed by the data. Research Implications: four out of six constructs of e-service quality showed positive and statistically significant relationships with user satisfaction having fulfillment the strongest effect on the dependent variable. Users perceptions and level of satisfaction are just above the neutral point. Findings suggest that old-age users and female users are less satisfied. Government has to pay more attention to expanding the services making them easier and user-friendly along with special enabling factors for women and users from old age to bring them into the mainstream of e-governance.목적: 본 연구의 목적은 '나가릭 앱'의 E-서비스 품질 중 어떤 구성이 사용자 만족도에 더 큰 영향을 미치는지 알아보고 네팔의 E-서비스 품질과 관련하여 사용자 만족도를 분석하는 것이다. E-서비스 품질은 효율성, 시스템 가용성, 개인 정보 보호, 이행, 대응성 및 접촉을 독립적인 변수로 측정했다. 만족도는 기대 확인 이론에 따라 '나가릭 앱'을 사용하는 즐거운 경험과 지속적인 의도를 가지고 분석되었다. 설계/방법/접근법: 필요한 데이터를 수집하기 위해 정량적 접근법을 사용하였다. '나가릭 앱'을 사용하는 네팔 시민들이 인구로 고려된다. 구글 기반 온라인 설문지는 앱 사용자로부터 데이터를 수집하기 위해 질문을 필터링하는 것으로 관리되었다. SAS 소프트웨어를 사용하여 432개의 유효한 응답을 분석했습니다. 제안된 가설을 검증하기 위해 요인분석, 기술분석, 상관관계, t-검정, 다중선형회귀를 수행하였다. 결과: 주요 구성요소 분석 결과를 통해 효율성 및 시스템 가용성 측정을 제외한 모든 질문 항목이 해당 구성요소를 함께 잘 나타낸다. Cronbach alpha(접촉 = 0.902, 프라이버시 = 0.897, 응답도 = 0.858, 효율성 = 0.838, 충족도 = 0.849, 시스템 가용성 = 0.840, 만족도 = 0.888)는 항목의 내부 일관성을 제시하였으며 구성을 잘 나타낸다. 수정된 R제곱(0.628)이 시사하는 바와 같이 회귀모형의 예측자들은 사용자 만족도를 설명하기 위한 적합도가 62.80%로 나타났다. 6개의 독립변수 중 효율성(0.241), 프라이버시(0.141), 성취도(0.328), 접촉(0.255)은 이용자 만족도와 통계적으로 유의한 관계(p<0.01)를 나타내었다. 반면, 응답도(-0.038)은 통계적으로 유의하지 않은 부정적 관계를 보인 반면, 시스템 가용성(0.045)은 사용자 만족도와 긍정적이지만 통계적으로 유의하지 않은 관계를 보였다. 표준화된 계수 추정치는 충족도(0.323)가 사용자 만족도에 상대적으로 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났으며, 연락(0.295), 효율성(0.210), 프라이버시(0.155) 순으로 나타났다. 반면 응답도(-0.042)는 시스템 가용성(0.054) 다음으로 사용자 만족에 부정적이고 가장 약한 영향을 미쳤다. 4개의 대조군 변수 중 연령(-0.099, p<0.01)과 성별(0.117, p<0.1) 모두 사용자 만족도에 부정적인 관계를 보였다. 교육과 이용 플랫폼은 통계적으로 유의미한 이용자 만족도와의 관계를 보이지 않았다. 종합해보면 6개 가설 중 4개 가설이 자료로 확인됐다. 연구의 시사점: E-서비스 품질의 구성요소 6개 중 4개는 종속변수에 있어 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 사용자 만족도와 통계적으로 유의한 관계를 보였다. 사용자의 인식과 만족도는 중립점 바로 위에 있다. 조사 결과는 노년층 사용자와 여성 사용자의 만족도가 낮다는 것을 시사한다. 정부는 여성과 노년층 사용자들이 전자 거버넌스의 주류로 진입할 수 있도록 하는 특별한 활성화 요소와 함께 더 쉽고 사용자 친화적인 서비스를 확대하는 데 더 많은 관심을 기울여야 한다.Chapter 1: Introduction and purpose of the research 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Nagarik App 2 1.3 How does 'Nagarik App' work 3 1.5 Scope of the study 7 1.6 Research question 7 1.7 Purpose and importance of the study 8 Chapter 2: Theoretical background and Literature review 10 2.1 Theoretical Background 10 2.1.1 Defining Satisfaction 10 2.1.2 Factors contributing to affect user satisfaction 13 2.2 Defining e-governance and e-service quality 15 2.2.1 E-government 15 2.2.2 E-government development stages 18 2.2.3 Nepal and E-government 23 2.2.4 Challenges in E-government service in Nepal 27 2.2.5 E-Service quality 30 2.2.6 Previous studies 34 2.2.7 Critical review 36 2.2.8 Research gap 37 Chapter 3: Research Design and Methodology 39 3.1 Research Design 39 3.2 Analytical framework 39 3.3 Research Model 39 3.4 Research Hypothesis 41 3.4.1 Conceptualization and Operationalization 46 3.5 Construct and measures 48 3.6 Sampling and Data Collection method 49 3.6.1 Population 49 3.6.2 Sampling frame and size 50 3.6.3 Survey instrument 50 3.6.4 Data collection 51 3.6.5 Data Analysis Method 51 Chapter 4: Presentation, Analysis, and Discussion of Results 53 4.1 Descriptive statistics 53 4.1.1 Descriptive statistics of survey respondents 53 4.1.2 Reliability and validity of the survey instrument 56 4.1.3 Descriptive statistics of independent variables 56 4.1.4 Demographic comparison of efficiency 57 4.1.5 Demographic comparison of system availability 59 4.1.6 Demographic comparison of privacy 60 4.1.7 Demographic comparison of fulfillment 62 4.1.8 Demographic comparison of responsiveness 65 4.1.9 Demographic comparison of Contact 67 4.1.10 Descriptive statistics for dependent variable; satisfaction 69 4.1.11 Demographic comparison of the dependent variable; Satisfaction 69 4.1.12 Reliability and Construct validity of the survey Instruments 72 4.1.13 Correlations between variables of the study 73 4.1.14 Pearson's correlation coefficients test 74 4.2 Hypotheses testing 76 4.3 Multiple Linear Regression Analysis 77 4.3.1 Hypothesis 1 79 4.3.2 Hypothesis 2 79 4.3.3 Hypothesis 3 79 4.3.4 Hypothesis 4 80 4.3.5 Hypothesis 5 80 4.3.6 Hypothesis 6 80 4.4 Summary of the Major findings 84 4.4.1 Efficiency and user satisfaction 86 4.4.2 System availability and user satisfaction 87 4.4.3 Privacy and user satisfaction 88 4.4.4 Fulfillment and user satisfaction 88 4.4.5 Responsiveness and user satisfaction 89 4.4.6 Contact and user satisfaction 90 4.4.7 Control variables and user satisfaction 91 Chapter 5: Conclusion, Recommendations and Limitations 93 5.1 Conclusion 93 5.2 Policy Recommendations to the Government of Nepal 95 5.3 Recommendations for future studies 97 5.4 Limitations of the Current study 98 Bibliography 100 Annexure 1: Survey instrument (questionnaire) 111 Abstract in Korean 116 Acknowledgements 118석

On Preserving Secrecy in Mobile Social Networks

Location-based services are one of the most important services offered by mobile social networks. Offering this kind of services requires accessing the physical position of users together with the access authorizations, i.e., who is authorized to access what information. However, these physical positions and authorizations are sensitive information which have to be kept secret from any adversary, including the service providers. As far as we know, the problem of offering location-based services in mobile social networks with a revocation feature under collusion assumption, i.e., an adversary colludes with the service provider, has not been studied. In this paper, we show how to solve this problem in the example of range queries. Specifically, we guarantee any adversary, including the service provider, is not able to learn (1) the physical position of the users, (2) the distance between his position and that of the users, and (3) whether two users are allowed to learn the distance between them. We propose two approaches namely two-layer symmetric encryption and two-layer attribute-based encryption. The main difference between the first and the second approach is that they use, among other encryption schemes, symmetric and attribute-based encryption, respectively. Next, we prove the secrecy guarantees of both approaches, analyze their complexity and provide experiments to evaluate their performance in practice

Collusion in Peer-to-Peer Systems

Peer-to-peer systems have reached a widespread use, ranging from academic and industrial applications to home entertainment. The key advantage of this paradigm lies in its scalability and flexibility, consequences of the participants sharing their resources for the common welfare. Security in such systems is a desirable goal. For example, when mission-critical operations or bank transactions are involved, their effectiveness strongly depends on the perception that users have about the system dependability and trustworthiness. A major threat to the security of these systems is the phenomenon of collusion. Peers can be selfish colluders, when they try to fool the system to gain unfair advantages over other peers, or malicious, when their purpose is to subvert the system or disturb other users. The problem, however, has received so far only a marginal attention by the research community. While several solutions exist to counter attacks in peer-to-peer systems, very few of them are meant to directly counter colluders and their attacks. Reputation, micro-payments, and concepts of game theory are currently used as the main means to obtain fairness in the usage of the resources. Our goal is to provide an overview of the topic by examining the key issues involved. We measure the relevance of the problem in the current literature and the effectiveness of existing philosophies against it, to suggest fruitful directions in the further development of the field