The Influence Of Knowing Web 2.0 Risks And Controls On Web 2.0 Usage And Security Practices Of Online Users

Abstract

Significant changes have taken place on the internet in recent years. The most prominent is the introduction of Web 2.0 technologies (Web 2.0), which promotes sharing and collaboration. This study investigates the usage patterns, and awareness levels of the risks and controls associated with Web 2.0 by educated and uneducated users. Accounting students (as a proxy for educated users) are taught about the risks and controls of Web 2.0 as part of their studies, whereas Business Strategy students’ (as a proxy for uneducated users) exposure is limited to popular media and their own research.

The results indicate that the use of Web 2.0 is popular among South African students irrespective of which course they major in. The Web 2.0 awareness levels of both populations were relatively high with no significant differences. Contrary to expectation, the level of usage; types of Web 2.0 technologies; types of risks; and the manner and frequency of sharing of information by the two populations were not found to differ significantly.

The research highlights that although Accounting students are taught about the risks and controls in Web 2.0, they do not take these risks and controls into consideration in their personal life when interacting with Web 2.0. Contrary to expectation, it appears that being formally educated on Web 2.0 does not have a larger impact on user behaviour than awareness gained from popular media. It also indicates how user behaviour influences the effectiveness of online controls.