Deterrent Effects of Warnings on User's Behavior in Preventing Malicious Software Use

Despite the fact that a number of technical counter-measures do exist to mitigate the risksrelated to malicious software, in reality users are the last line of defense against security incidents. In this technology-human interaction, warning messages can represent an important tool to help users when making a decision. Understanding the effects of computer warnings on the progression and duration of the malicious software use would bridge the existing knowledge gap. Supported by the restrictive deterrence model and psychological factors, we conducted a non-controlled field experiment in which we collected data from no previously recruited participants. We found that in the presence of the warning message, the progression of the software use will be decreased and the duration of both first and repeated software uses will be reduced. Finally, we offer important findings for further theorizing and interesting practitioner insights that could help to leverage the interaction between the human and the computer technology with an objective to reduce the risk