Security Journal最新文献

We study the emergence of new forms of law violations in Latin America during the coronavirus pandemic. Based on data from online news articles, we construct a typology of "new" crimes: (1) hate or fear crimes against health workers and hospitals; (2) illegal denials of public mobility out of fear of infection; (3) looting and other traditional crimes justified by the pandemic; and (4) violations of pandemic regulations. Studies of crime during the pandemic have focused on traditional crime and have been based on rational choice theory and a routine activities approach. We argue that in order to understand the recent crime trends in Latin America, these must be accompanied by other theories of crime, together with a better understanding of the role of the State. Our typology can be a starting point for discussions and further research on the complex relationship between criminal behavior and policy responses in pandemics.

Increasing numbers of social media users report being blackmailed on social media following their sharing of sensitive and personal information. However, little is known about this emerging crime and its victims. Using a survey of adult WhatsApp users in Oman (n = 1452) and interviews (n = 18) with victims and Omani criminal justice professionals, this study addresses this gap by examining the prevalence of blackmail among adult WhatsApp users arising from their voluntary self-disclosures, as well as the characteristics and vulnerabilities of those who fall victim to this activity. New insights are also offered into the factors influencing victim's decisions to report their experiences to criminal justice professionals, as well as the challenges associated with investigating and prosecuting this activity.

In developing countries, increased reliance on cyberspace for carrying out educational activities has implications for cybersecurity threats. In the light of stratification model of diffusion of technologies, socioeconomic and digital disparities are reproduced in the use of digital knowledge and skills. Cybersecurity is a digital skill that is affected by socioeconomic and digital inequalities; specifically in the developing nations. With lack of digital divide's empirical evidence in terms of cybersecurity, this study employs a face-to-face survey to understand the computer and smartphone security practices of students enrolled in higher education institutes (HEIs) across Pakistan. A multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to recruit a sample of 758 participants located in socioeconomically and geographically diverse cities in the country. Analysis was carried out using descriptive and Pearson's Chi-square statistics. The results show lax cybersecurity behavior of students both on computer and smartphone devices. Significant differences were found in the cybersecurity practices of students in terms of socioeconomic and digital divide variables. This highlights that the individuals with lower socioeconomic status and who are digitally less connected are at a greater risk of falling victims to cyber-threats. The implications of the study state to impart tailored cybersecurity trainings with respect to digital divide and socioeconomic status of the students.

Place management is central to Routine Activities Theory and proactive utilization of place managers is one of 25 Situational Crime Prevention techniques. Yet little is known about the effectiveness of using place managers to prevent cybercrimes. This paper uses a vignette experimental survey of 213 cybersecurity professionals to explore their perceptions of cybercrime prevention. We find that organizations that partner with and proactively utilize cybersecurity professionals as place managers are perceived as more effective in controlling cybercrimes than those organizations that do not specifically assign professionals to proactively prevent and control cybercrimes. We conclude that assigned cyberplace managers are more likely to use their cyber skills and knowledge than those who lack the time and space to utilize their cyber expertise.