{"title":"Understanding smartphone security behavior through the core constructs of protection motivation theory: A comparative study of iOS and android users","authors":"Tuğçe Karayel , Metin Saygılı","doi":"10.1016/j.cose.2025.104652","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the factors influencing smartphone users’ security behavior intentions through the lens of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Utilizing structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the research analyzes both a general sample and subgroups based on mobile operating systems (iOS and Android) to explore potential platform-based differences. The findings reveal that threat appraisal components—particularly perceived vulnerability—have a significant impact on users’ intentions to engage in mobile security behaviors. Similarly, coping appraisal components, including response efficacy and self-efficacy, are found to be strong predictors of behavioral intention. Interestingly, response cost shows a significant effect only among iOS users, suggesting that perceived burden varies by platform. These results highlight the importance of both cognitive evaluations and contextual factors such as operating systems in shaping users’ cybersecurity motivations. The study contributes to the literature by providing nuanced insights into the predictive power of PMT and offering empirical evidence of user segmentation in mobile security behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51004,"journal":{"name":"Computers & Security","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 104652"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Computers & Security","FirstCategoryId":"94","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167404825003414","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study investigates the factors influencing smartphone users’ security behavior intentions through the lens of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Utilizing structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the research analyzes both a general sample and subgroups based on mobile operating systems (iOS and Android) to explore potential platform-based differences. The findings reveal that threat appraisal components—particularly perceived vulnerability—have a significant impact on users’ intentions to engage in mobile security behaviors. Similarly, coping appraisal components, including response efficacy and self-efficacy, are found to be strong predictors of behavioral intention. Interestingly, response cost shows a significant effect only among iOS users, suggesting that perceived burden varies by platform. These results highlight the importance of both cognitive evaluations and contextual factors such as operating systems in shaping users’ cybersecurity motivations. The study contributes to the literature by providing nuanced insights into the predictive power of PMT and offering empirical evidence of user segmentation in mobile security behavior.
期刊介绍:
Computers & Security is the most respected technical journal in the IT security field. With its high-profile editorial board and informative regular features and columns, the journal is essential reading for IT security professionals around the world.
Computers & Security provides you with a unique blend of leading edge research and sound practical management advice. It is aimed at the professional involved with computer security, audit, control and data integrity in all sectors - industry, commerce and academia. Recognized worldwide as THE primary source of reference for applied research and technical expertise it is your first step to fully secure systems.