Do IT users behave responsibly in terms of cybercrime protection?

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the behaviour of IT users regarding their personal protection against potential cybercrimes. The research data set is based on surveys conducted by the European Commission in 2020-2021 for 35 European countries. Canonical analysis revealed that 66.67% of cybercrime cases (Phishing, Pharming, Online identity theft, etc.) determine individuals' choice of personal protection method (using a security token, social media logins, electronic identification, etc.). Kohonen's self-organizing maps were used to form 9 clusters of countries depending on the attitude of IT users to personal cybersecurity. The map results showed that individuals behave less responsibly using a security token, electronic identification certificate or card, pin code list or random characters of a password, and other electronic identification procedures. Users from Denmark, the Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, the UK, Austria, and Finland were the most responsible Europeans in terms of personal protection, while people from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina were the least conscientious about protection.