VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENT RESEARCH REPORT THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL LITERACY ON PERSONAL INFORMATION SECURITY: EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAM CODE: KT.23_63 Team Leader: Lê Dạ Quỳnh ID: 21070855 Class: IB2021C Hanoi, 17/04/2024 TEAM LEADER INFORMATION I. Student profile - Full name: Lê Dạ Quỳnh - Date of birth: 18 – 05 – 2003 - Place of birth: Thanh Hoa - Class: IB2021C Picture 4x6 - Program: International business - Address: Thanh Tri, Ha Noi - Phone no. Academic Results (from the first year to now) Academic year Overall score Academic rating 2021 – 2022 3. Other achievements: None Hanoi, 17 – 04 – 2024 Advisor Team Leader (Sign and write fullname) (Sign and write fullname) Đỗ Phương Huyền Phan Bảo Trung Lê Dạ Quỳnh TABLE OF CONTENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Rationale and significance of the research. Definition and Factors driving digital literacy. Definition and motive of information security. Impact of digital literacy on information security from previous research.
Lessons from previous empirical studies and research gaps. METHODS AND DATA. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS RESULTS. IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS.
32 LIST OF TABLE Table 3. Descriptive Statistics of Main Variables Used in Analyses. Descriptive Statistics of Digital literacy:. Distribution of Individual Skill Measures.
Summary of Hypotheses Testing. 27 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Concept model of the study. 16 The Impact of Digital Literacy on Personal Information Security: Evidence from Vietnam 1. Project Code: KT.
Member List: Full Name Class ID Lê Dạ Quỳnh IB2021C 21070855 Hoàng Ngọc Minh IB2021C 21070257 Trần Thị Thảo IB2021D 21070434 3.D Đỗ Phương Huyền.c Phan Bảo Trung 4. Abstract (300 words or less): This study explores the impact of digital literacy on personal information security among Vietnamese Internet users. It utilizes an assessment tool adapted from the culturally tailored Park 2013 study to gauge digital literacy in the local context. The aim is to fill a current gap in the literature by investigating how different aspects of digital literacy—technical familiarity, Surveillance practices, and policy understanding—relate directly to personal data control behavior.
Additionally, it investigates how internet experience and demographic factors may influence these relationships. Data was obtained through an online survey with over 200 Vietnamese participants, providing detailed insights into their cybersecurity behavior and comprehension. Initial findings indicate that higher levels of digital literacy are connected to safer online practices and improved management of personal information. This research has potential for informing targeted educational initiatives and policies aimed at enhancing digital literacy skills and raising awareness about information security in Vietnam.
Keywords (3 – 5 words) Digital literacy, Informaiton security, Online information risk, Online behavior, 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We express our deepest gratitude to our guide, PhD. Do Phuong Huyen, for her assistance with statistical analysis and interpretation of the collected data. Her analytical skills and attention to detail were instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and validity of the results presented. We are also extremely grateful to MSc.
Phan Bao Trung for his dedicated guidance, valuable advice, and continuous support throughout this research process. Their expertise and insightful feedback have been crucial to the development and completion of this study. Furthermore, we sincerely thank the more than 200 individuals who participated in the online survey. Their willingness to contribute their time and personal experiences provided valuable data at the heart of this study, enriching it significantly while contributing greatly to our understanding of digital literacy and information security in Vietnam.
Without the generous contributions of all the individuals mentioned, this research would not have been possible. We are truly grateful for their knowledge, efforts, and collective support, which have been invaluable on our academic journey. Finally, we acknowledge the support of our family members, friends, and teachers who have been encouraging, understanding, and patient throughout our studies; their belief in our abilities is a source of motivation and strength. Thank you all for participating in this effort! 2 CHAPTER 1.
Rationale and significance of the research The digital age is a double-edged sword. While advancements in information and communication technologies (ICT) have revolutionized how we connect, access information, and conduct business (Tomczyk and Eger, 2020), they also introduce new complexities and challenges (Le Coze and Antonsen, 2023, Rahman et al. On the one hand, the internet fosters a globalized environment, facilitating communication and data exchange across borders (Pratomo et al. This interconnectedness, while driving economic growth and collaboration, also expands the attack surface for malicious actors (Pratomo et al.
Criminals can exploit weaknesses in systems worldwide, potentially compromising the personal information of individuals regardless of location (Pratomo et al. Further complicating the picture is the evolving threat landscape (Halim et al., 2023, Le Coze and Antonsen, 2023, Goel et al. Data breaches and cyberattacks are a growing concern, highlighting the fragility of information security (Halim et al., 2023, Le Coze and Antonsen, 2023, Goel et al. These attacks come in various forms, including social engineering scams that prey on human vulnerabilities to trick users into revealing sensitive information (Metalidou et al., 2014, Goel et al.
The rise of big data analytics presents another layer of complexity. As vast amounts of personal data are collected, stored, and analyzed, new privacy concerns emerge (Zhang, 2018). The potential for misuse of this data underscores the need for robust security measures and heightened user awareness (Zhang, 2018). The concept of privacy itself is undergoing a transformation in the digital age.
Traditionally, privacy focused on the "right to be left alone" (Pratomo et al. However, with the pervasiveness of online platforms and data collection, the concept has shifted towards the "right to be forgotten" (Pratomo et al. Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) reflect this shift, empowering individuals to control their data and limit its unauthorized use (Pratomo et al. Research emphasizes the human element as a critical factor in information security (Metalidou et al., 2014, Goel et al.
Human error, such as falling victim to phishing scams, or a lack of awareness regarding online threats, can significantly compromise security (Metalidou et al., 2014, Goel et al. Lim et al. (2014) aptly 3 highlight that people are both the cause of and the solution to information security incidents (Metalidou et al. Therefore, fostering digital literacy and promoting user awareness are crucial aspects of building a robust security posture (Metalidou et al., 2014, Rahman et al.
In Vietnam, the landscape of information security presents unique challenges and opportunities, particularly concerning personal information security amid the increasing digitization of society. The susceptibility of personal sensitive information to leakage through various channels poses a pressing concern, with potential ramifications for individuals' privacy and security. The escalation of security incidents, as evidenced by the doubling of personal information leaks in 2023 compared to 2022, underscores the urgency of addressing information security vulnerabilities (ANTV, 2023). Notably, sectors such as retail, manufacturing, education, and finance have been disproportionately targeted, with a significant increase in unauthorized access and data breaches (ANTV, 2023).These threats to information security encompass potential attacks, destruction, or modification of information assets (Musekura and Ekh, 2004).
A survey found that a significant percentage of respondents, primarily corporations and government agencies, detected computer security incidents within the last 12 months, with top attack types including viruses, theft of laptops/mobile devices, insider abuse, and unauthorized access (Gorden et al. Moreover, while security controls often rely on human intervention, addressing human behaviors is crucial. Studies have applied theories such as Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to understand individuals' motivations for complying with security policies and employing security measures (Parsons et al. Additionally, the emphasis on security requirements and their determination underscores the importance of shaping controls and drivers of information security (Humphreys et al.
To mitigate these risks effectively, it is imperative to understand the interplay between digital literacy and personal information security. By examining the impact of digital literacy on individuals' ability to navigate online threats and adopt secure behaviors, this research aims to provide insights into strategies for enhancing information security awareness and practices in Vietnam. By elucidating the relationship between digital 4 literacy and personal information security, this study seeks to inform policy interventions and educational initiatives aimed at safeguarding individuals' privacy and mitigating cybersecurity risks in the digital age. Research objectives In today's digitally interconnected world, personal information security has become a paramount concern.
With the internet being an integral part of daily life for millions worldwide, including Vietnam, it is imperative to understand the relationship between digital literacy and personal information security. This research aims to explore these intricacies within the Vietnamese context, providing crucial insights and proposing actionable solutions to enhance personal information security among internet users. The aims of this investigation are thoughtfully designed to tackle the complex nature of the problem: First, Identifying Factors Influencing Personal Information Security: This objective explores the underlying factors shaping personal information security by examining user behaviors. The research aims to uncover pivotal insights crucial for targeted interventions.
Second, Examining the Relationship between Digital Literacy and Information Control Behavior: Focusing on digital literacy, this objective seeks to elucidate the correlation between users' proficiency in navigating digital environments and their behavior concerning personal information control. Third, Determining the Impact of Individual Components of Digital Literacy: This objective aims to dissect digital literacy into its constituent components – technical familiarity, awareness of institutional surveillance, and policy understanding. Fourth, Assessing Internet Experience's Influence: Recognizing experience's role in shaping online behaviors, this objective investigates how Internet experience directly affects information control behavior and mediates effects from digital literacy components. 5 Fifth, Exploring Demographic Characteristics Role: delves into individual demographic characteristics' impact on forming information control behavior in the digital realm.
Finally, Proposing Solutions for Improvement: Building upon preceding objectives, research endeavors formulate practical solutions aimed at bolstering information security among Vietnamese internet users. Research Questions According to Saridakis and colleagues (2016), all security breaches stem from the actions of individuals. Our study builds upon Park's (2013) research and seeks to analyze the influence of different categories and subsets of digital literacy (DL) on familiarity with technical aspects, practical surveillance, and understanding of policy images impacting Information Control Behavior (ICB). We tailored our study to the Vietnamese context and adjusted for technological changes since 2013.
Additionally, we investigated the effects of Internet Experience (IE) and demographic precursor factors on ICB, as well as how the interaction between internet knowledge and experience influences security control behavior. What are the underlying factors influencing personal information security among internet users in Vietnam? 2. What is the impact of individual components of digital literacy – technical familiarity, awareness of institutional surveillance, and policy understanding – on information control behavior? 3. How does internet experience directly affect information control behavior among Vietnamese internet users? How does the interaction between knowledge and internet experiences impact privacy control behavior? 4.
How do individual demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, and education, intersect with information control behavior in the digital realm? 6 CHAPTER 2. Definition and Factors driving digital literacy Digital literacy (DL) has evolved significantly since their inception in the late 20th century. Initially conceived as the ability to understand and utilize information on computers, particularly via the Internet, DL has undergone a profound transformation, encompassing a wide array of skills and competencies essential for navigating the complex digital landscape of the 21st century. Scholars such as Gilster (1997) defined digital literacy in terms of navigating online content, setting the stage for further exploration into its multifaceted nature.
As the 21st century dawned, Bawden (2001) expanded the definition of DL, framing it not just as reading and understanding online information, but also encompassing skills like information retrieval, evaluation, and management from various sources. This expansion marked a shift from mere technical proficiency to a more comprehensive understanding of DL, which includes cognitive and social skills necessary for navigating complex digital landscapes. Eshet (referenced in a separate study) further broadened the concept, characterizing DL as the holistic ability of individuals to perform tasks and solve problems in digital environments.