A Critical Look at the Impact of Cybercrime on Consumer Internet Behavior

Abstract

The development of the Internet and World Wide Web has both a positive and negative impact consumer behavior. While these technologies provide many consumer “conveniences,” they also generate many consumer “threats” that take form as cybercrimes. While researchers have focused on the economic ramifications of cybercrime, little is known about its impact on Internet behavior. This paper explores the behavioral ramifications of cybercrime on the informational value of the Internet, the likelihood of repeat purchases, and overall attractiveness of the Internet as a channel-of-choice. The results showed that even the weakest form of cybercrime (Spamming) can decided alter consumer Internet behavior, thus eroding the attractiveness of the Internet as a viable marketing channel.