Title: A conceptual framework for curbing the epidemic of information malice: e-hygiene model with a human-factor approach

Authors: Chiou-Pirng Wang, Don Snyder, Kathaleena Monds

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, College of Business, Albany State University, 504 College Dr., Albany, GA 31705, USA. ' Department of Accounting, Business Information Systems and Marketing, College of Business, Albany State University, 504 College Dr., Albany, GA 31705, USA. ' Department of Accounting, Business Information Systems and Marketing, College of Business, Albany State University, 504 College Dr., Albany, GA 31705, USA

Abstract: To address tsunami-scale damage, socially and economically, caused by information malice to the global Internet community, the authors propose an e-hygiene model augmented by human-factors as an effective means to curb the epidemics. The model, constructed upon the survey on e-hygiene habits of college students, demonstrates that: Human Factor (HF) is the major vulnerability of the information security; and Awareness, Capitals and Abilities form the three dimensions of the HF that information users must act to minimise the risks of information malice. Only when anti-malicious technology is coupled with good user e-hygiene can information malice be reduced.

Keywords: information security; digital security; digital risk management; information malice; human factors; malware; cyber security; computer viruses; computer security; e-hygiene; electronic hygiene; internet; risk management; anti-malicious technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICS.2007.015505

International Journal of Information and Computer Security, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.455 - 465

Published online: 22 Oct 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article