Learning to cope with information security risks regarding mobile device loss or theft: An empirical examination

The loss and theft of mobile devices is a growing risk that has yet to be addressed in detail by the IS community. This study extends the literature significantly by examining the roles of key information sources in coping and threat appraisal development. This is accomplished by integrating protection–motivation with social learning theories. Through an email interview (n=12) and two surveys (pilot, n=115 and main, n=339), the study identifies and shows how key information sources (knowledge regarding countermeasures, social influences, and experience of the threat) influence users’ coping and threat appraisals and, ultimately, coping intentions.